WLU, Marshall Offers ‘Aviation Day’ To Attract Prospective Pilots
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WHEELING - New aviation students at West Liberty University this year will get the opportunity at the controls of aircraft only a few days after classes start there this fall.
WLU and a contingent from the Bill Noe Flight School at Marshall University jointly hosted "Aviation Day" Saturday at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport. Those interested in enrolling in the program at WLU and the general public were invited to attend and come learn more about the new program being offered by the school.
The Marshall representatives arrived in two Cirrus SR 20 aircraft that will be used by prospective pilots enrolling at WLU.
WLU President Tim Borchers said some students already have enrolled for the program, and that more students were likely. He wasn't certain yet as to the number as the application process for the aviation program at WLU is more lengthy and involved than it is for other college programs largely because of the school's partnership with the flight school at Marshall.
Students begin by first applying to WLU as a "commercial pilot fixed wing major." They next must also apply to Marshall University as a "joint program transient" in the "aviation transient" program.
Once the college admissions paperwork is completed, a medical examination from a Federal Aviation Administration-approved physician is required, as are documents clarifying the student as a U.S. resident. After all those steps are met, the prospective aviation student applies to the Bill Noe Flight School at Marshall, and signs up for new student orientation at WLU.
Orientation days are scheduled for June 18, July 24 and July 31. The first day of classes is Aug. 21.
"We've had a good turnout today," Borchers said. "People seem to be interested, and they've had long and engaged discussions with admissions counselors."
Nancy Ritter, chief aviation operations officer at the Bill Noe Flight School, said enrollment in the aviation program typically continues right up until the first day of class as they jump through the required hoops and also get their college financing in line.
"It's an exciting time for West Liberty," she said. "They have had their vision come to fruition, and Marshall is proud to be a part of it."
Ritter has 35 years of flight experience, and she noted the flight school at Marshall is typically made up of about 20% women. One of the female aviation students, Kristen Sayre of St. Albans, made the trip with the Marshall contingent on Saturday.
"Marshall University offered the program close to my home, and it was an opportunity I didn't know existed," she said.
"I had always wanted to be a pilot, and I had always wanted to go to college. This program allowed me to do both."
The program operates out of Yeager International Airport in Charleston.
Sayre is in her third year at the Bill Noe Flight School, and she added she got her first opportunity at the controls of an aircraft during her second week of classes as a freshman.
Nathaniel Ramsey, assistant chief flight instructor at the school, explained it is his job to schedule the students for flight time.
There are 13 instructors at the school, and typically each student gets to fly at least two times a week, he said.
"There is also reserve time," he said. "They can hang out and if (another student) cancels they can take their flight time. They usually fly twice a week, but it can be more. I have seen students fly everyday, but it depends on their availability and when they can be matched up with an instructor."
The Marshall representatives reported that the Bill Noe Flight School has 120 students, with another 66 new students expected in the fall.
Ramsey said the program "is growing rapidly." There are presently seven aircraft available for students, and another four will be added to the fleet in the fall. None of the planes are older than three years.
Ramsey is from Fayetteville, West Virginia, and he noted the flight school is making training for pilots "more accessible to those who may not have had the opportunity in the past."
"At one time, I had to move out of the state to get training," he said. "It would have been nice to have had that opportunity closer to home."