offered a two-year aircraft and aircraft engine
technology program that could be applied to the four-
year aviation engineering technology degree.
Course offerings included: Airframes; Aircraft Welding; Powerplants; Introduction to Aviation; Private Pilot Training; Commercial Pilot Training; Aircraft Servicing; Passenger and Freight Traffic; Jet and Rocket Power Plants; Aeronautical Navigation; Aeronautical Meteorology; Airline Operations; Airline Administration.
From 1962 to 1968, not much changed in the aviation-centered programs. However, in 1968 transportation technology became its own department in the School of Applied Arts and Sciences. The transportation technology department offered both a four-year program in automotive and aviation engineering technology and a two-year program in automotive and aircraft technology and pilot training.
In 1969, the Transportation Technology department separated automotive and aviation. This separation left the bachelor’s degree in aviation engineering technology program with three options: 1) management and transportation; 2) production and testing; and 3) professional pilot. The department also continued to offer the two-year aircraft technology program.
Between 1970 and 1973, little changed in the aviation programs. In 1973, the Department of Transportation Technology in the College of Applied Science now offered bachelor of science degrees in aviation engineering technology; aviation technology and management; and flight technology. Aircraft technology continued to be a two-year program.
In 1974, the Air Force ROTC program was initiated in the Department of Transportation Technology, which was located in the College of Applied Sciences. The AFROTC program was designed to provide skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively as a professional officer in the Air Force. The program on Western’s campus was operated as a satellite of the AFROTC detachment at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
By 1977, the two-year program in aircraft technology
was no longer offered, and only four-year degree
programs were offered in aviation: aviation
engineering technology; aviation technology and
management; and flight technology.
In 1983, the Department of Transportation Technology now belonged to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, offering bachelor of science degrees in aircraft engineering; aviation technology and operations with three options: 1) technical management leading to careers in technical sales or service, production, and general aviation management;
2) professional pilot option producing general aviation pilots who are competitive in both technical and business backgrounds; and 3) aviation maintenance management that emphasized aircraft systems; reliability and maintainability; licensing requirements; and repair facility management. In 1989, a special program sponsored and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration in Airway Science Management was available for students who were enrolled in either the technical management or professional pilot options of the Aviation Technology and Operations curriculum. 1993 saw the establishment of Aviation Sciences, which became an academic unit in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It offered bachelor’s degrees in aviation technology and operations with an option in technical management and an option in professional pilot and aircraft maintenance engineering technology. The special program sponsored by the FAA in Airway Science Management was still available. The mid-1990s saw a tremendous amount of growth and change for the aviation programs. In 1995 the academic unit Aviation Sciences became the School of Aviation Sciences in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, in 1998 the School of Aviation Sciences became the Department of Aviation in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and in 1999 the Department of Aviation split from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences to become the seventh College at Western Michigan University: the College of Aviation.
In 1999, the College of Aviation became home to the International Pilot Training Centre. This program contracted with British Airways, Aer Lingus
Dave Thomas and IPTC cadets. [1999]
and the Emirates Air to train selected students to become professional pilots.
For 18 months, these cadets lived and studied in Battle Creek to receive their private, instrument and commercial pilot rating and certificates. Upon completion, they became first officers with their respective airlines. More than 250 cadets from England, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and other European countries learned to fly at WMU’s College of Aviation, leaving the University’s mark as a global trainer of professional pilots. Since 1999, there have been name changes and option changes within the programs, but they have all remained focused on three areas: flight; maintenance; and management. Currently, the College of Aviation is home to three bachelor-degree programs: aviation flight science, aviation maintenance technology, and aviation management and operations. In fall 2011, the College of Aviation began offering an initiative called the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program. The COA was asked to join the FAA’s AT-CTI network as one of 36 schools in the nation to offer this training. Graduates of the AT-CTI program were eligible to bypass the Air Traffic Basics Course, which was the first five weeks of qualification training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, this program was short-lived because the FAA changed the way it selected ATC candidates in early 2014.
In fall 2014 the College of Aviation began its first collaborative master’s program with the College of Business, an MBA with an aviation emphasis.
Dr. Curtis “Doc” Swanson and maintenance students. [2001]
Jeremy Heirholzer, Faculty Specialist II with maintenance student. [2013]
Students in maintenance class. [2006]