If Aviation is a passion of yours, you will love our Aeronautical Science courses where you learn to fly and earn college credit.
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 License 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
Aviation Curriculum
Aeronautical Science I (Grades 9-12) - Cost $100
Basic Aviation class for students in grades 9-12. Class covers:
- Private Pilot operations
- Aerodynamics
- Navigation
- Aviation weather reports
- Cross-country flight planning
- Balsa aircraft design and flight
Lab fee: $100 for materials and PCATD training
Aeronautical Science II (Grades 10-12) - Cost $1,500
Prerequisite: Aeronautical Science I
Embry-Riddle Aviation Dual Enrollment (Grade 11-12) - Included in Tuition
This course is a prerequisite for the Aviation Academy.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University dual enrollment course is designed to develop the aeronautical knowledge required for certification as a Private Pilot with an Airplane Single Engine Land rating. It provides the basic knowledge and skills to establish a firm foundation for a career as a professional pilot through the practical application of basic aerodynamics, aircraft performance, regulations, and flight planning in single pilot, single-engine aircraft. Students that successfully pass the course with a 70% or higher will receive 5-college credits from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Aviation Academy for Private Pilot License (Grade 12) - Cost $14,000
Students are required to pass the private pilot written exam before entering the Aviation Academy, and meet applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements
The program was initiated by Eastern Airlines Captain Joseph Hercher and expanded and developed by Robert Ewing in 1998. Since, our aviation department has produced professional pilots who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States and others who have flown or are flying in the commercial sector.
1987 – Aviation was offered as an elective
1998 – Mr. Ewing was hired as the Aviation Instructor and began to create the Aviation Program
2007 – The Aviation Program began to offer Private Pilot Operation training to earn a Private Pilot License
2015 – A Cirrus SR22 G2 Turbo (N568SR) was donated to the school by Mr. Don Elliot
Today – Training is offered as three periods during the academic day
Did you know?
St. Petersburg is recognized as the birthplace of commercial flight. Tony Jannus piloted a Benoist XIV flying boat on the first scheduled commercial aircraft flight in history, taking off in the yacht basin near the future site of Albert Whitted Airport, where Farragut students take off and land. The airport was later created in 1928.
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