Florida Tech Partners with Four European Flight Training Organizations, Expands Global Mission
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Even as global pilot shortages are predicted, Florida Institute of Technology Aviation Programs has joined forces with four European Approved Training Organizations (ATOs) to enhance the university’s pilot training capacity.
FIT Aviation LLC, the flight training arm of the university, already has pilot training contracts with clients like Turkish Airlines, serving 135 students. These new ATO partners will provide European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Instrument Rating Conversion courses which are required to be completed in European airspace in order for pilots to earn their EASA pilot licenses, including a type rating.
“These new partnerships ensure our Turkish Airlines pilots can expeditiously complete all of the requirements for their ratings—both here and in Europe,” said Greg Reverdiau, director of business operations for Florida Tech Aviation Programs.
The four new partners are:
- Ben-Air Flight Academy (BAFA) in Antwerp, Belgium
- Flying Time Aviation in Brighton, England
- CTC Aviation in Bournemouth, England
- Aeros in Coventry, England
“Our partners were chosen based on the quality of their instruction and reputation, their location, their equipment and their professionalism,” said Reverdiau. “We are proud to work with them.”
Reverdiau explained that pilots training at FIT Aviation will complete the program in approximately 16 months, start to finish, training mostly in Melbourne but spending several weeks with one of the ATOs in Europe.
“These relationships strengthen Florida Tech’s Aviation Programs’ desire to reach the global market and specifically Europe and continue our emergence as a global leader in aviation training,” said Ken Stackpoole, Florida Tech vice president for Aviation Programs and executive director of FIT Aviation LLC. “This is only the beginning of our ambitious plans to expand pilot training and participate in addressing the world’s pilot shortage.”
