Hello Everyone. Today, August 27th marked my first day of classes at Kent State University. This semester I am taking Kent State’s ground school course along with their private pilot course. My CFI said that we are going to try and fly next week, but the date isn’t completely set yet because of the backlog of students from the spring semester who lost out on flight time due to Covid. I am so excited to start my new journey and take flight in life and I can’t wait to keep everyone updated.
Why I chose Kent State University (KSU).
Let’s start with the location of Kent State. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio which is about an hour south of Cleveland. It also is 45 minutes from CLE and 30 minutes from CAK. Since Kent is located in Northeast Ohio, the weather conditions are constantly changing. It can be snowing in the morning and 70° in the afternoon with thunderstorms in the evening. The changing weather will allow me to learn how to fly in any condition so I’m better prepared for the airlines.
Kent State has the largest fleet out of any collegiate flight program in Ohio with 32 planes. Their fleet consists of 27 single-engine Cessnas (150,152,172R,172S,172SP), 2 Piper Seminoles, and 3 Piper Arrows. Kent State is also retiring some of their 172s and replacing them with brand new ones over the next 5 years. The Kent State airport is owned and operated by Kent State itself and is about 10 minutes from the main campus by car, so very convenient. Kent State owns all of its aircraft and also conducts all of its maintenance.
Kent State has many accreditations. Kent State is the only aeronautics program in Ohio to be accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International. Kent State also has a restricted ATP, meaning I only need 1000 hours until I can fly for commercial airlines. In addition, Kent State also has many connections with airlines. FedEx recently donated millions of dollars to the Kent State Aeronautics program to build a new facility at the airport. In addition, Kent is one of the few schools that are a part of the Delta Propel Program. Kent also has many connections with charter and regional airlines.
Overall, Kent State has a great aeronautics program and I can’t wait to tell everyone about my flight journey!
-Jacob Burdette
Hey Jacob,
Glad to see you got started successfully at Kent. It’s a great program. I’m a huge fan of collegiate programs for those who are focused on aviation as a career (I’m personally a graduate of WMU in MI). It’s an exciting process and it goes fast. Take it all in! Also glad to see you’re taking advantage of the music programs there too. I enjoyed 2 years in the marching band and pep band. Great fun! Keep up the good working and we look forward to continue watching your journey. Please reach put if you need anything!
A very good overview of Kent State’s program. Are you also involved with music at Kent?
Yes I am! I am in their Marching Band, Concert Band, and I might join the Flasher Brass Band which is their pep band for basketball games. Here is a link to a video of the marching band this year. I am on the 47.5 yard line on the right side of the 50. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1162737107434461&extid=kKxWalj1QYGaTAsv
Hey Jacob! Awesome to hear about your experience at Kent so far. I’ve actually been considering going there because of what you’ve said about it. I’ve got a few questions too. You are doing the BS in Aeronautics-Professional Pilot correct? That is the degree I want to shoot for. Is the flight training and tuition separate costs? Or is it all included?
Yes, I am doing the BS in Aeronautics – Professional Pilot. The flight training is separate from the tuition cost but I think its like that at every collegiate flight school. I know Kent gives some decent scholarships to out of state students to help balance the costs. If you ever have questions you can feel free to message me and I’ll try to answer them the best I can!
Ok, great! Thanks Jacob!