Why Aviation?

While students at other schools might be focusing on an upcoming Algebra exam – and even daydreaming about becoming an astronaut, students in the Aviation program at Farragut diligently master the fundamentals of flight, both on campus — which houses a flight simulator — and at Albert Whitted Airport, where students hone their skills as pilots in one of the many rented Cessnas on site.

Students who choose to take aviation gain self-confidence, responsibility, career exposure, and a skill that looks impressive on a resume.

On the ground, students learn from pilots.

• More than 500 Farragut students have received flight training
• Courses for students in grades 9-12.
• State-of-the-art, on-campus aviation ground school facility houses three Basic Aircraft Training Devices (BATD) which replicate the Cessna 172 aircraft with standard instruments and Garmin 1000 glass panels.
• Small class sizes with 5:1 instructor ratio.
• Free dual enrollment college classes through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which gives our Aviation students the chance to gain at least five college credits.

In the sky, students are the pilots!

• 2 hours allotted during the academic day for flight training at Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg.
• Fly a Cessna 172 G1000 aircraft.
• Around 30 students have earned their Private Pilot’s Certificate while at Farragut.
• Over 100 students have matriculated to the No. 1-rated aviation college, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
• Approximately 15% of our Aviation graduates have gone on to fly in the military or in the commercial sector.
• Known as the “Sunshine City”, St. Petersburg has on average 360 days of sunshine which is perfect for flying all year long.

Highly qualified flight instructors

• Aeronautical Science degrees
• Airline transport pilot, advanced ground instructor
• Commercial pilot Multi-Engine Instrument, CFI
• Embry-Riddle graduate
• Retired Airline captain (Eastern)
• Over 70 years of combined aviation experience

Is the Private Pilot Certificate recognized worldwide?

Any certificate issued by either the FAA and/or a foreign country that is a member of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), which nearly every nation is a member, is typically recognized internationally. However, there may be some limitations that other countries impose, such as the pilot getting approval from that country’s governing aviation authority. For example, pilots from Canada and Europe that come to the U.S. typically need to have some sort of practical exam to be granted the same pilot certification privileges they held in their respective country.