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School of Aviation

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

School of Aviation

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Reach New Heights with a Career in the Aerospace Industry

EKU has been training aviation professionals since 1983 and is home to Kentucky’s only FAA-approved university flight program. The school boasts a 100% job placement rate, state-of-the-art facilities, hands-on learning opportunities, and experienced, highly trained faculty. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in aviation degree, which has concentrations in professional flight, aerospace management, professional aeronautics, and unmanned aircraft systems. Coming in Spring 2027, we are excited to announce that we will also be offering an Associate of Science in Aviation with a concentration in air traffic management.

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School of Aviation Degrees & Certificates

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Why Study Aviation?

The aerospace industry offers a variety of rewarding opportunities for individuals interested in working with innovative, complex technical projects and cutting-edge technology. In addition to the aviation core, students are required to take supporting courses in mathematics, statistics, physics, and business management. Graduates of the program are professionally prepared for all facets of the aerospace industry to include piloting, flight instruction, aviation management, professional aeronautics, and unmanned aircraft systems.

Aviation Briefings offer a comprehensive overview of the program, a tour of our facilities (including a visit to the airport) and a place to meet and ask questions of faculty, staff, and current students.

Due to space limitations in our facilities, capacity is very limited at each briefing. We encourage you to sign up to attend as early as possible and to cancel if you are no longer able to attend to allow space for other students.

Briefing Schedule:
12:45pm – 1:00pm Check-in
1:00pm – 2:15pm Presentation / Q&A
2:15pm – 2:45pm VR Lab Tour
3:30pm – 4:00pm Airport Tour (optional)
Please note: Airport visits are not scheduled outside of aviation briefings.

Fall 2026: In-person Aviation Briefings

Monday

9/14/26

1:00 PM

Register here!

Monday

9/28/26

1:00 PM

Register here!

Monday

10/5/26

1:00 PM

Register here!

Friday

10/23/26

1:00 PM

Register here!

Monday

11/2/26

1:00 PM

Register here!

Friday

11/13/26

1:00 PM

Register here!


Virtual Briefings
Each semester, we offer one Virtual Aviation Briefing, which is 100% online. Register to attend below.

Fall 2026 Virtual Briefings

Monday

11/16/26

12:00 PM

Register here!

Campus Visits
If you would like to attend a Campus Visit & Tour on the same day as your Aviation Briefing, please visit our Campus Visit Page to register.

Be sure to register for a morning visit so that it does not conflict with the 1pm Aviation Briefing.

Located just 15 minutes south of campus, the Central Kentucky Regional Airport is the home of EKU’s flight training operations. Since 2011, EKU has also served as the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO), which provides students with a variety of advantages over other programs including reduced operating costs, dedicated facilities, and employment opportunities.

The airport features a 5,000 ft. runway, medium intensity lighting system, ample parking areas, and dedicated fuel services, and onsite aircraft maintenance.

Our robust fleet of training aircraft includes 24 Cessna single engine aircraft (including 172-P, 172-N, 172-M, 172-R, 172-S, and 172-S G1000) and 3 Piper Seminole multi-engine aircraft.

Schedule time with one of our four Redbird simulators. Two Redbirds feature Garmin G1000 glass cockpits, while two are equipped with conventional steam gauges, giving students the opportunity to train across both modern and traditional instrument panels. These simulators support instrument training, proficiency practice, scenario-based learning, instrument recurrency, and preparation for an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC).

Welcome to a new reality! EKU’s VR lab offers opportunities to enhance teaching and learning as students can be taught in an immersive, hands-on experience. The VR experience in our simulators accurately represents the cockpit and in-flight experience of our Cessna 172 aircraft, giving students a significant advantage as they transition from the classroom to the airplane..

Our lab contains 8 advanced simulators, each consisting of an adjustable racing-style seat, a full array of flight controls and switches, a 42-inch ultra-high-definition TV, a high-end Alienware gaming computer, and an HTC VIVE Pro VR headset. Combined with Gleim Aviation’s X-Plane 11 Flight Training Course and the full capabilities of X-Plane 11 and 12 Flight Simulator, our simulators can take you anywhere in the world while providing superior flight training.

In addition to our VR capability, some of our simulators have been equipped with Garmin GPS simulators that replicate the hardware and functions of the Garmin GPSs installed in our EKU aircraft. We currently have two Garmin GNS 430/530 simulators, two Garmin 650 simulators, and three Garmin G1000 simulators in use. These simulators allow students to devote additional time to learning the functions of a Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) and the Garmin GPSs before stepping into the cockpit.

Student Stories & Features

  • Carter Sizemore

    EKU Student & Army ROTC Cadet
    The EKU ROTC program has given me the resources to reach new heights I didn’t know I was able to achieve. I have made many connections and friends through this program; it never feels like I am alone in doing something, and I think that says a lot about the community that is created here. We have our high days, we have our low days, but I have no doubt that this program has helped me and many others become better people and better leaders.

  • Chloe Hampson

    EKU Student & Army ROTC Cadet
    Chloe Hampson ’25 “The ROTC program is full of opportunity and comradery. Cadets learn important skills needed to commission as an officer in the Army, as well as have opportunities to compete for Army schools. More importantly, cadets learn how to interact with other soldiers and build interpersonal relationships.

  • Jesse Valdez

    EKU Safety Leadership and Management Student
    The advisors, administrator, and instructors at EKU are compassionate, empathetic, and available to meet the educational needs of all students when necessary.

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

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Thu
10

Madison County Farmers Market (On Campus)

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Thu
10

Spotlight Day: City Fest

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Fri
11

Canvas Crash Course

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Mon
14

Study Abroad Workshop Series: Funding Foundations – Can I afford to study abroad? Let's do the math.

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Mon
14

Time Management

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Wed
16

Study Abroad Workshop Series: Funding Foundations – Finding the Money: Scholarships, Aid & Grants

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News & Updates

EKU Expands Aviation Training Fleet

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is enhancing the student flight training experience by upgrading its aviation fleet with new Piper Aircraft, further strengthening hands-on learning opportunities at Kentucky’s only FAA Part 141 collegiate flight program. “Students come to EKU from all over the nation to learn to fly and pursue an aviation aerospace career,” said EKU […]

EKU School of Aviation Continues to Soar, Adds Air Traffic Management Program

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) School of Aviation continues to grow as one of the university’s most in-demand programs. A new state investment designates EKU to lead an Air Traffic Management program with $5 million in startup funding and $1.5 million in annual operational support. “The EKU School of Aviation is nationally recognized as one of […]

EKU Adds New Drone Technology for UAS Program

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) School of Aviation is expanding hands-on learning opportunities with the addition of a new WingtraRAY unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to its UAS fleet. The professional-grade aircraft will provide students in EKU’s UAS program with experience using advanced mapping, surveying and geospatial technology found throughout today’s unmanned aircraft industry. “EKU continues to […]

Contact Information

School of Aviation

Stratton Building
Room 50
4453 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1014
aviation@eku.edu

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