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Florida Tech aviation enrollment soars

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Just three years ago, there were about 370 students in Florida Tech’s flight training program.

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This year, there will be close to 700 students.

Florida Tech President Dr. John Nicklow told WFTV, “We know, I think generally about the pilot shortage across the country, across the world. And our pilot program is working to meet that need, and it’s grown 80% in the last three years. So, we have a need. It’s one of our highest demand programs.”

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And on Tuesday, four brand new Piper Pilot 100i aircraft rolled up to the Florida Tech aviation hangar in Melbourne.

The aircraft will support the school’s flourishing flight training program.

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A $1,000,000 grant from the Emil Buehler perpetual trust will also allow Florida Tech to purchase new training simulators.

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