Funding -- Not Lack Of Interest -- Is The Problem
As if learning how to
fly, manage airlines and even run airports wasn't enough, students
in Georgia State University's aviation program have another
daunting task on their syllabi: keeping the 30-year-old program
alive.
The program, which has about 180 students enrolled in it this
year, teaches students a variety of aviation-related subjects --
including safety management, airline marketing and aviation
law.
Students in the program also receive credit if they take flying
lessons from independent instructors, according to the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution.
"When I took it over eight years ago, it was down to five
students," said former program director, Rick Charles, who left
last year to head up Utah State's av school. "There's a very
strong market in the state of Georgia for that type of program,
[and] there are a lot of high school graduates who want to study
aviation."
While the program appears popular, Georgia State officials say
that isn't enough to keep it going. They announced the aviation
school would be phased out at the end of 2006.
The program -- which was started in 1976 at the request of
then-Delta CEO Leo Mullin, and mixes academic and vocational
classes -- no longer fits the university's mission, said Greg
Streib, chairman of the department of public administration and
urban studies, which oversees the aviation school.
Others say the real issue is one of finances. To that end,
students have sought support from several Atlanta aviation bigwigs,
including Warren Jones, aviation development director for
Hartsfield-Jackson International airport.
Jones, who also teaches part-time in the program, said the
proposal students will present to Georgia State University
officials in the coming weeks -- which would drop the professional
pilot training program from the aviation school -- will include a
letter of support from ATL General Manager Ben DeCosta and
others.
That's all well and good, said Streib -- but a better solution
would be for the airport, or one of its airlines, to put upwards of
$1 million towards an endowment chair.
Trouble is, the airport is not allowed to do that per FAA regs
-- and Atlanta's hub airline, Delta, is in no position to spend the
money while it fights its way out of Chapter 11.
Jones said he is looking for other businesses that might provide
funds. Also, Streib suggests instead of donating money, that the
airport could instead bulk up its internship programs.
"If they want to train future leaders in airport management,
they can offer good-quality internships" for two years with a good
salary, he said.
Winter interns under the urban policies study program currently
work as volunteers about eight hours a week. Jones said he will
propose the airport hire paid interns.
Regardless of the final solution, it looks like Georgia State's
av-school will be forever changed after this year.
"We're so sad about it because the aviation program is
fantastic," said Lara Scatamacchia, a fourth-year student and
marketing and business development intern at Hartsfield-Jackson
International Airport -- and who is also an IFR-rated pilot.