SUNY Chancellor, Farmingdale State President Christen New Additions to College's Aviation Fleet

Farmingdale – SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and Farmingdale State College President W. Hubert Keen today christened three airplanes that were recently added to the college’s expanding aviation program. The nearly $1 million purchase of two Piper Warriors and one Piper Arrow expands Farmingdale’s fleet to 22 planes and increases the capacity for the Professional Pilot track from 80 to 125 students.

“The Farmingdale State degree program for professional pilots—the only one offered in public higher education in New York—ensures that graduates take to the skies with the flight experience and tactical knowledge that a career in aviation demands,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “The addition of these three aircraft is certain to enhance the preparation and ultimate qualifications of all current and future students.”

“We are very proud of our Aviation program,” President Keen said. “Our student pilots go on to careers with some of the most well-known firms in the aviation and aerospace industries because of the excellent education they receive at Farmingdale—an education that includes the best resources and aircraft.”

The new planes possess state-of-the-art glass cockpit technology, which features computerized displays in place of dials or gauges, and modern automation platforms. The acquisition represents a continued modernization of the Aviation program technology.

Last year, Farmingdale acquired a $90,000 Frasca Model 142 Flight Simulator through legislative support from State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. and Assemblyman Bob Sweeney. The college also plans to acquire two additional Frasca flight simulators to keep flight training costs low and utilize all aviation-related training platforms to continue generating a high quality of applicants to the aviation workforce.

There are 160 students enrolled in the Aviation department, which also includes tracks in Airport Management and Air Cargo Operations. Aviation is one of the College’s legacy academic programs, dating back to 1949.

“Farmingdale has a rich history and a first-rate reputation, and these new planes will only enhance the excellent education the student pilots receive,” said Mike Hughes, Director of the Aviation program. “Our students are in demand precisely because of the investments we make in providing them with the most up-to-date training.”

Farmingdale students have gone on to be employed by such companies as American Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines, USAir, Piedmont Airlines, SheltAir, Colgan Air, the FAA, U.S. Army Aviation, and the Air National Guard.

Top alumni of the Aviation program include Warren Kroeppel, who served as both General Manager of LaGuardia Airport and Deputy General Manager of JFK Airport, as well as Theresia Schatz, Senior Program Officer at the Transportation Research Board.

About Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State College prepares students with the education, skills, and critical thinking needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. At Farmingdale, students have abundant opportunities in experiential learning—internships, clinical training, and guided research—that provide practical instruction and personal growth. Small, personalized classes, a new residence hall with suite-style living, a lush 380-acre campus undergoing major renovation, and a highly successful NCAA Division III athletics program with modern facilities make Farmingdale State College one of the fastest-growing colleges in the region. For more information contact Kathryn Coley at 631-420-2400 or kathryn.coley@farmingdale.edu.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with more than 2.5 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu