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2 An Invitation T hose of us who fly have a certain characteristic that sets us apart-it s a passion for our vocation. We thrive on challenge, and every moment in the sky offers both excitement and a sense of sheer fun that can be found nowhere else. Every pilot knows that feeling that takes hold each time the wheels lift off the runway. In the following pages, you ll find information that I m sure will lead you to choose Western Michigan University as the place that will best nurture your passion for aviation. Why? We firmly believe WMU s College of Aviation provides the tools and skills you will need to be simply the best. We ve established an aviation community that combines the best practical knowledge of experienced industry professionals and the track records of a great academic institution to produce the next generation of captains, aviation executives and aviation technology experts. Our reputation has made us a force to be reckoned with. In fact, WMU s College of Aviation is widely viewed in industry circles as one of the world s best institutions for aviation education. We produce knowledgeable, competitive members of the aviation community who think critically, communicate effectively, and are able to professionally execute any task asked of them. All universities with degrees in aviation tout the quality of their instructors, equipment and facilities. We do that as well. But we also understand that you ll measure your educational experience by how well you compete in the air and on the ground against your peers and more importantly, against yourself. Consider these facts: With 15 consecutive top-three finishes and two national championships at National Intercollegiate Flying Association competitions, our students have clearly demonstrated that the pilots we educate are among the best in the nation. The nation and world s leading air carriers have shown their confidence in us by hiring our alumni to serve as captains, first officers, and executives. Internships and hiring agreements with some of the nation s finest corporate flight departments and regional airlines offer proof on the industry s regard to our product. Think about the passion that drives you. Think about being challenged. Think about your choice. Think, and then choose WMU s College of Aviation. Our administration, instructors, staff and students look forward to meeting you. Capt. Rick Maloney Dean WMU College of Aviation

3 Changing the Standard to State of the Art. A Rich Tradition of Excellence... Founded in 1903, Western Michigan University sprang to life during the same period that gave birth to flight and saw the development of technical innovations across the spectrum. No, WMU did not begin its aviation program quite as early as 1903, but the spirit of innovation that has characterized the University throughout its existence led it to add a top-notch aviation program to its academic offerings over 65 years ago. Over the years, the curriculum has undergone constant updating. With the advice of aviation professionals, WMU has developed programs that now rank among the most innovative in the world. WMU offers you: A rich tradition of aviation education. The resources of a major research university. A state-of-the-art curriculum developed with the help of the nation s leading aviation professionals. Training equipment and technology that few other organizations can match. The support of a vibrant aviation community. We re not just training pilots, we re educating the next generation of captains and aviation executives. By the time you have completed your training at WMU, you will have learned to operate in just about every weather condition possible, which will inevitably make you a more complete pilot. Top Flight Facilities... Located at W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, WMU s College of Aviation occupies 95,000 square feet on 20 acres at the airport. The facilities include three main education buildings, each with expansive common areas, spaces overlooking the airport and comfortable student lounges. The Flight Operations Building is the former airport terminal and air traffic control tower. Its space is now devoted to administrative offices, flight planning areas, and flight briefing/debriefing rooms. The Aviation Education Center next door features, in addition to several classrooms, a computer laboratory, a library, a lounge and faculty offices. The Aviation Maintenance Building houses the maintenance education program. The building includes maintenance shops, classrooms, laboratories, engine test cells and also provides storage for the flight training aircraft. The college shares its airport site with an Air National Guard base and a number of private aviation firms that focus on a range of industry segments, from the manufacturing of classic aircraft to meeting the nation s charter flight needs. The entire airport district enjoys the benefits of a Michigan-designed economic development zone that focuses on aviation. Working in such close proximity with industry leaders provides our students with the opportunity to make industry contacts that will last a lifetime.

4 W M U College of Aviation Degree Programs... As an incoming freshman, you ll have the opportunity to earn your degree in one of the following areas: The Aviation Flight Science program focuses on the practical and academic aspects of pilot training and offers everything from ground school and basic flight instruction on single engine aircraft to sophisticated bridge course work that provides jet orientation work and an introduction to the airline culture and pilot selection process. The Aviation Maintenance Technology degree program provides preparation for positions in the field of aircraft maintenance, including performance testing, flight test engineering, product technical support and maintenance logistics. The Aviation Science and Administration program leads to careers in areas such as technical sales or service, production, and general aviation management. Start flying in your first year! Learn as an Intern... All three degree programs offer internship opportunities with organizations that range from the corporate flight operations for firms like Coca Cola, Aerodynamics Inc. and Duncan Aviation; to air carriers like Southwest, American, Mesaba, Atlantic Southeast Airlines and American Eagle. Fly the JET Course... The preparation to become a professional in the airline industry is not done when the student has earned the various single pilot certifications. The vast majority of transport category aircraft are operated with a flight crew of two or more pilots. The manner in which the crew interacts among the individuals in the crew as well as with agencies external to the cockpit has a direct correlation to the safety of the operation. That skill is known as Crew Resource Management, or CRM. The College of Aviation has acquired a Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ-200) FTD for the purpose of supporting its Jet Equivalency Training, or JET, a program that provides a bridge between the single pilot skills the student has learned and crew skills that are necessary to operate the complex systems of a high speed jet transport aircraft. The CRJ is expected to be FAA certified as a Level 5 Flight Training Device and employs the same high fidelity visual system as the Cirrus FTD. JET is a very intense learning experience that intentionally mimics the training experience a graduate can expect with most of the companies with which the graduate may work. The validity of the JET program training has been recognized by the industry in the bridging agreements that have been reached and in the dramatic reduction in total flight time required of a graduate of that program to be eligible for an interview.

5 Changing the Standard to State of the Art. An Unparalleled Fleet... WMU s College of Aviation features state-of-art training equipment including: 30 Cirrus SR-20 and SR-22 aircraft Piper Seneca Multi- Engine Aircraft Piper Seminole Multi- Engine Aircraft Piper Arrows Extra 300 Aerobatic Trainers Cessna 425 Conquest Piper Super Cub Amphibious Float Plane Canadair Regional Jet Simulation Level 6 Cirrus Simulation Technologically, CIRRUS has revolutionized the industry by bringing the same dynamic advanced avionics into our cockpits that you d find onboard the world s top airliners Safety First... Safety first is more than a claim, it s a commitment at WMU s College of Aviation. So much so that when we went looking for a new training platform, we made safety our number one priority. With the addition of 30 CIRRUS aircraft, each technologically advanced and equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System [CAPS], the WMU College of Aviation has made its commitment clear. Fleet Safety Features... CAPS is a whole-airplane recovery device that allows the CIRRUS to be lowered to the ground, suspended under a giant canopy, should an unexpected emergency occur. Each of our aircraft is equipped with the SkyWatch Traffic Collision Avoidance System which drastically increases cockpit situational awareness. Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems enhance terrain awareness. Anti-Icing systems on our Cirrus aircraft allow pilots to escape inadvertent icing while De- Icing systems on our Seneca s allow them to safely fly in known icing conditions.

6 W M U College of Aviation Industry Focused Leadership... The College of Aviation s core leadership is comprised of one former UAL (United Airlines) VP of Operations, one former UAL Chief Pilot, two former UAL Senior Captains, one Current UAL Senior Captain and one former Aeroflot Captain. This tremendous industry presence has fueled much of the change currently taking place at the college. Having access to such esteemed individuals gives the WMU College of Aviation a perspective that few collegiate programs can match. Research Aims at Flying Skills of the Future... Because Western Michigan University is a student-centered research university, research activities are part of the core mission of the college s faculty. Aviation research faculty members form partnerships with those undergraduates who want to gain a deeper understanding of the industry through both applied and theoretical research. To that end, various projects are under way at the college. In 2005 the college received a $4.2 Million Grant to research Crew Resource Management on the flight deck and its relationship to surgical teams in the medical field. One faculty member is conducting research on worldwide maintenance legislation as it pertains to the integrations of global standards. The unique challenges of women in aviation are the subject of a number of faculty research papers. Research involving cognitive screening and testing to predict the likelihood of successful flight training for low-time pilots has been a focus for the college over the last few years. Ongoing research looks at crew performance and safety both on the flight deck and the maintenance floor. Additionally, college researchers are exploring ways to apply to other industries the lessons learned from aviation crew management. WMU aviation students routinely use their research talents to contribute to the field. One recent graduate, for instance, focused her senior honors thesis on the impact of homeland security changes on the aviation industry. Diversity in a time of Change... Diversity is one of the hallmarks of Western Michigan University and a particular focus of the College of Aviation. Because we know diversity will enhance your educational experience, we have launched initiatives to diversity both our college community and the aviation profession as a whole. Trading on WMU s leadership role in the aviation community, for instance, the college recently helped launch a national aviation education consortium, in which the University joined forces with five historically black colleges and two professional organizations to help diversify the aviation industry work force and expand opportunities for minority students and women. Get Involved... The College of Aviation offers its students a wealth of opportunities to get involved with aviation related organizations and events. Check them out. WMU Sky Broncos precision flight team - Multiple National Championships - 15 Consecutive top three finishes Alpha Eta Rho- National Aviation Honorary Women in Aviation International- WMU Flygirls Chapter Professional Aviation Maintenance Association Multicultural Association of Aviation Professionals Organization of Black Airline Pilots Volunteer Programs Summer Flight Academy Student Ambassador Program High School Visitation Program

7 Changing the Standard to State of the Art. The University... A s a student in WMU s College of Aviation, you ll enjoy all the academic, cultural, recreational and social benefits and amenities that are part of life at a major university. On the Kalamazoo campus you ll find a full range of facilities and activities to make your college experience everything you always dreamed it would be. You ll have access to: One of the top-30 public universities in the Midwest and the top 100 nationally, as listed by U.S. News & World Report One of the top two schools on Intel s list of the nation s 100 most wireless college campuses An award-winning residence life organization Nearly 300 registered student organizations Broadway shows and top-notch concerts in Miller Auditorium NCAA Division I-A intercollegiate athletic teams that compete in 16 varsity sports in such conferences as the Mid-American Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Numerous intramural sports and exercise classes A state-of-the-art Student Recreation Center that includes an 8,000 square-foot weight and fitness room, a three-story climbing wall, an elevated jogging track and 40 fitness machines.

8 College of Aviation 237 N. Helmer Road Battle Creek, Michigan For more information, please visit: or call (269) Admissions (269) Financial Aid (269) Talk to a WMU student