UNG : Cadets Gain Skills In Aviation Ground School

Press release from University of North Georgia:

Clark Leonard

February 16, 2022

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Corps of Cadets is offering a 12-week aviation ground school this semester for 11 cadets. It provides a valuable experience for those who want to commission into the Army's aviation branch and prepares them for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written knowledge test.

Carson Ash, a UNG sophomore, grew up watching his father work on helicopters as an Army aircraft mechanic, and it inspired him to pursue a commission in the Army's aviation branch. Originally from Gainesville, Georgia, Ash is grateful to be in the course that is supplementing some of the private flight lessons he receives in his hometown.

"Going to work with my dad, seeing the helicopters, it's something I've always dreamed of doing," Ash, who is pursuing a degree in finance, said. "Being in the air, it's fun and it's a challenge."

Stan Allen, an FAA-certified instructor and longtime pilot, is teaching the cadets for two hours each Thursday at the Military Leadership Center.

The course is offered with no out-of-pocket expense to the cadets as the Office of Leadership and Global Engagement is funding this professional development opportunity.

"It's a really good opportunity for cadets to learn about their possible future branch," Kinzie said. "And it's a really fun thing to learn about aviation."

Retired Lt. Col. Heath Williams, UNG's director of federal liaison and military education coordinator, is excited cadets can take advantage of this course. As one of four officers to commission from UNG into the aviation branch in 1989, he had no such training while in the Corps of Cadets. Though he and his classmates graduated from the Army's flight school, he is glad current cadets will have a leg up when trying to become officers in the aviation branch.

"We want to give our cadets all the tools they need to be successful in their preferred branch," Williams said.

This press release was produced by University of North Georgia. The views expressed here are the author’s own.