The Bobcats are taking learning to the sky. Texas State University will offer a new Aviation Science degree program through a partnership with Coast Flight Training, the City of San Marcos and Texas Aviation partners, according to a Texas State news release.
The new program was inspired by the increasing national demand for commercial pilots. The degree will be a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences with a concentration of Aviation Science, the release said.
Students will learn how to fly and will be able to pursue becoming an airline, commercial or professional pilot, according to the release.
In the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts “the demand for commercial pilots will grow nationally by more than 5,600 positions,” which is an “increase of more than 4%,” the release said. Each year, about 16,800 openings for commercial pilots as a result of pilots reaching mandatory retirement, according to the university.
Coast Flight — one of the partners — is an FAA regulated flight school, which is based at the San Marcos Regional Airport, according to their website. Texas State students enrolled in this program will now train at the airport, the university said.
“Texas State is proud to partner with Coast Flight Training, Texas Aviation Partners and the City of San Marcos at San Marcos Regional Airport to address the nation’s pilot shortage by offering this exciting new opportunity to our students,” Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said in the release.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-state-to-add-aviation-sciences-program-this-fall/amp