Three Kohawk aviators complete the first solo training flights in Coe College aviation management & flight operations history
Another milestone has been met within Coe College’s aviation management & flight operations program.
On December 9, three student aviators completed solo training flights — the first three students to solo in program history. All students in Coe’s program fly in their first term to work up to their first solo flight as quickly as possible.
Solo flights are a significant step in the flight training process, marking the transition from guided learning to true pilot responsibility. A solo flight takes place after lengthy training and vetting from flight instructors and validates a student’s independence and ability to handle an aircraft and make decisions on their own. It’s a rite of passage for all pilots that also begins to fulfill regulatory licensure requirements.
Coe and its flight training partner, ATD Flight Systems, are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to deliver Part 141 flight training, which has more stringent requirements.
“This was a momentous occasion for our program, but just as important, it’s a confidence builder for our students. All the flight instructors and I knew they would handle it well and each of the flights went really smoothly,” said assistant chief instructor Tim Busch.
The full timeline of the development of the aviation management & flight operations program at Coe can be referenced at www.coe.edu/aviation-timeline.