Indiana State University Newsroom

Interested community members and aspiring pilots can learn more about the Indiana State University Flight Academy during an open house on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Indiana State will host the open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the academy, which is located in the former FedEx building at Terre Haute International Airport. Tours will be available of the academy, which includes a renovated facility and a fleet of aircraft with technology that students will use as professional pilots.

"The driving factor is student success, and giving our students opportunities that we really haven't had in the past to help best prepare them to go out there and compete for jobs in aviation," said Harry Minniear, chair of the aviation department at Indiana State's College of Technology. "It's about what we can do to make sure that students are getting the best training and education that ISU can possibly give them. Having the flight school gives us that kind of leverage."

University officials hope that the new flight school will provide an opportunity to train more pilots at Indiana State in the coming years, as the word gets out about the increased opportunities that are available.

"The new academy will provide unique opportunities for students who want to pursue careers in aviation," said Bob English, interim dean of the College of Technology. "Our students will be able to develop and strengthen the skill sets that will make them great aviation professionals."

A barbecue lunch also will be available for those in attendance at the open house. For additional information, contact Harry Minniear at 812-237-2641 or harry.minniear@indstate.edu