Austin Peay State University
Reviews
Students describe Austin Peay State University as offering a welcoming and inclusive environment with supportive professors. Graduates of the Aviation Science program highlight the challenging yet rewarding curriculum, the exceptional professionalism of the staff, and the program's role in helping them achieve their dreams of becoming helicopter pilots.
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About Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University (APSU) offers a unique Aviation Science program, the only four-year rotary-wing (helicopter) flight program in Tennessee. Unlike many flight training facilities, APSU's program is staffed by full-time faculty with extensive experience in rotary-wing aviation training. Students receive a well-rounded undergraduate education alongside FAA Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor certifications, making them competitive in the job market. The program is designed for students with or without prior aviation experience and holds FAA Part 141 certification for consistent flight training. APSU's aviation program is located at the Clarksville Regional Airport (Outlaw Field) in a recently renovated facility. The program provides hands-on and academic skills in a professional setting with personal attention from instructors. Graduates have found careers in flight instruction, aerial tourism, and agricultural support. APSU is collaborating with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Airport and purchased a hangar to support the growing aviation science program. The program focuses on providing the knowledge and skills needed to earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Rotorcraft Helicopter, and Instrument rating. Students can also earn a Flight Instructor Certificate, Rotorcraft Helicopter, and Instrument rating. The aviation academics provide a foundation in FAA regulations, airmanship, rotary-wing aerodynamics, and methods of instruction. APSU's aviation science program is also approved for veterans' education benefits. The program has a fleet of six helicopters, seven flight instructors, and two helicopter mechanics.