Flight Program

The program incorporates state-of-the-art simulation from the very beginning. Academic classroom lessons taught by experienced Aeronautical Science professors provide the foundation of knowledge and experience required of professional pilots. Students first learn to verbalize the required flight knowledge in detailed oral sessions with an instructor followed by initial practice in realistic (full visual) flight simulators. Finally, they move to the aircraft to validate what they have learned.

In recognition of the excellence of this course of instruction, the FAA has granted Embry-Riddle Part 142 certification (Embry-Riddle is the only major university that offers this program)  which allows our students to graduate as Commercial-Multi-Engine Pilots in 190 total hours (flight and simulator) rather than the 250 hours required by the FAA under part 61.

This allows our students to move on and earn their instructor certificates sooner and then join the flight department as part-time flight instructors and build valuable experience for their future careers.

Fleet Safety

The fleet at Embry-Riddle is made up of state-of-the-art aircraft,  all identically equipped and immaculately maintained by our own professional maintenance staff. All aircraft that fly are in 100% operating condition or they will not be dispatched.  All Embry-Riddle Aircraft are equipped with the state-of-the-art ADS-B collision avoidance systems which display traffic in the area around the aircraft on a large color screen in the cockpit (another Embry-Riddle exclusive among major universities). The university has also purchased high-tech Cessna 172 aircraft equipped with the Garmin G-1000 glass cockpit suite. This technology is also being added to its fleet of Frasca level-6 flight training devices to allow for a more seamless transition between flight simulation and flight training in aircraft.

The ERAU flight department takes safety seriously and students are simply not allowed to fly unless their aircraft is perfect and the best safety equipment available is on board.

Students particularly relish the freedom to walk from their dorm to the classroom to the flightline, thus saving valuable personal time. Ample on-campus parking is also available.