Approval Has Been Delayed For Months

Craven Community College has been waiting four months, hoping the FAA will certify its new Institute of Aeronautical Technology. Now, college president Scott Ralls is reportedly calling up students who want to enroll in the program, telling them to be ready as early as next week.

"I’ve been told we can prepare for certification papers to be delivered Monday," said Ralls, speaking to the Havelock (NC) News.

"This is great news," said Wayne Forbush, dean of the school's Havelock campus. But the retired Marine's optimism is tempered by a skepticism borne of a lifetime in government. "Of course I’ll breathe a lot easier once we have the certification in hand."

Forbush says he has 18 students ready to start at the institute. "It’s a cross section of our population. We have a few women, some teens, and a good mix in between. All of them, and in some cases a few of their parents, have been patiently waiting for this certification."

Craven's IAT will initially offer courses from two instructors and will have a capacity of about 50 students. In January, an FAA team failed the school in its bid for certification. But school leaders stuck to their goals and resubmitted their application, making the required changes in the process.

FMI: www.craven.cc.nc.us