SUNY Chancellor King Highlights the Aviation Flight Center at Farmingdale State College

September 22, 2026

Farmingdale State College is the Largest Collegiate Flight School in the Northeast Region

Only Public Four-Year Professional Pilot Degree Program in New York State

Photos Available Here

Farmingdale, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted the Aviation Flight Center at Farmingdale State College, which is the largest collegiate flight school in the northeast. The Professional Pilot and Aviation Administration programs at Farmingdale State College provide students with technical skills and industry knowledge necessary to pursue careers across the aviation industry. The college offers the only public four-year professional pilot degree program in New York State, and through the aviation program students are receiving hands-on training to strengthen the aeronautical workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for airline and commercial pilots alone is projected to grow 7 percent from last year's base to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

"Farmingdale State College exemplifies SUNY's commitment to bolstering student success and upward mobility, while filling critical workforce needs," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The Aviation Flight Center is a vital resource for the region, offering pathways for the next generation of pilots, instructors, and aviation administrators to achieve their dreams."

SUNY Board Trustee Stanley S. Litow said, "Farmingdale State College's Aviation Flight Center remains a cornerstone of the regional economy by providing academic excellence and a unique and incredibly valuable higher education to SUNY students. As the largest collegiate flight school in the northeast, they are bridging gaps in one of New York State's most vital areas in the workforce."

Farmingdale State College President Robert S. Prezant said, "With outstanding equipment, expert faculty and staff, and exceptional post-graduate employment rates, Farmingdale State College's aviation program prepares the next generation of pilots, air traffic controllers, and administrators at a time when the industry needs them most. Aviation at Farmingdale State truly distinguishes SUNY as a leader in aeronautics on Long Island, within New York State, and across the country, and we are always pleased to showcase this important program."

The Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College is a 22,000 square foot Aerospace Facility that was built in 1990. The facility is ideally located less than two miles from the main campus and accommodates students from the tri-state area. It acts as the primary hub for flight training at Farmingdale State College, providing a world-class education and a pathway to numerous aeronautical careers. The Aviation Center averages 5,800 flight hours a year in solo and dual flight instruction.

Farmingdale State College is enhancing student success and bolstering infrastructure for the aviation program by upgrading all aircraft in the fleet to industry standard Garmin G1000 and G3X displays and adding five new Piper Archer aircrafts in October 2026 to bring the fleet total to 23.

The college's aviation program has garnered an impressive track record including:

  • 12,145 total flight hours
  • 6,628 total flights
  • 6,537 hours of ground instruction
  • 2,318 hours of simulator training
  • 21,450 total landings
  • 1,550 landings at night
  • 61 first solos
  • 107 pilot certificates and/or ratings issued

State Senator Siela A. Bynoe said, "The Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College was instrumental in educating my sister on her journey to becoming a pilot for one of the largest airlines in the country. Through my sister's experience, I witnessed the power of having an affordable, high-caliber training institution right here on Long Island. As such, I am pleased to learn of the upcoming equipment upgrades and fleet additions which will further enhance the Center's educational programming. I look forward to seeing more of our Long Island youth become trained as pilots in an affordable public education system, ultimately preparing them to serve our nation in the airline industry."

State Senator John Liu, a commercial pilot and volunteer flight instructor with the United States Civil Air Patrol, said, "At a time when job growth for airline pilots is projected to skyrocket, the Aviation Flight Center at Farmingdale State College is a tremendous opportunity to receive a top-notch education and a clear runway for a lucrative career in the skies.  Anyone looking for a career as a pilot, flight instructor, or in other segments of the aviation industry, should take advantage of this outstanding program and facility, which offers the specialized aviation training and flight hours necessary for any number of aviation careers."

State Senator Monica Martinez said, "Farmingdale State College is where great careers in aviation take flight. Upgrading the tools these students use for hands-on training will help prepare them to work with the cutting-edge technology they will encounter in the cockpit.  I thank SUNY and Farmingdale State College for making this investment in the next generation of pilots who will command the skies."

State Assemblymember Charles Lavine said, "We are so fortunate to have this truly unique program where young men and women can achieve their dream of becoming professional pilots right here in the heart of Long Island. These upgrades to existing planes and the expansion of its fleet will enable students at the Aviation Flight Center at Farmingdale State College to soar to new heights."

State Assemblymember Kwani B. O'Pharrow said, "Farmingdale State College continues to lead in aviation education and workforce development, providing students with the hands-on training and technical skills needed to succeed in a growing industry. As the largest collegiate flight school in the Northeast and the only public four-year professional pilot degree program in New York State, Farmingdale is preparing the next generation of aviation professionals right here on Long Island. As the Assemblyman of District 11, continued investment in the Aviation Flight Center and its aircraft fleet is an investment in our students, our workforce, and the future of aviation in New York State."

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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