At a press conference on Wednesday, September 10, Vermont Tech announced that students majoring in aviation now have an unusual airplane in which to learn rare flying skills. Vermont Tech’s Professional Pilot Technology program, in partnership with the Vermont Flight Academy, received a Twin Seabee amphibious aircraft as a donation from a southern California couple. The donation of this aircraft has made Vermont Tech the first college in the U.S. to offer training in multi-engine seaplanes, in addition to single-engine seaplanes. The Twin Seabee is the sixth airplane donated to the program, making up about 30% of the fleet. The new plane, which is an amphibious aircraft that operates on both land and water, and which had a cameo in the 1980 hit movie “Caddyshack”, was unveiled at the press conference.
Vermont Tech’s Aviation curriculum exposes students to a diverse learning experience that include seaplanes, conventional landing gear aircraft (tail draggers), aerobatic flying, high performance aircraft and a full set of flight instructor credentials before graduation. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the aviation industry, from a flight instructor to a commercial airline pilot. Vermont Tech students that graduate through the program receive multiple Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates. By completing their Flight Instructor credentials during their junior year, students in the program will enjoy job placement opportunities as instructors before they graduate.
Coverage by WCAX, WPTZ, SFGate, Newsday, NECN, Sacramento Bee