UC Clermont College Honors Eric Radtke

** Eric Radtke**

Eric Radtke, Sporty's Academy president and a regular contributor to Flying, has been recognized as the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College in Batavia, Ohio. UC Clermont bestows the annual award upon former students who have "distinguished themselves through significant professional accomplishment, made contributions to their community and attended UC Clermont College for at least one year."

Radtke graduated from the school’s Professional Pilot Training Program in 1998 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Technology and later achieved his Bachelor’s degree in finance, also at UC Clermont. Radtke holds an airline transport pilot certificate and is accredited as a master flight instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.

Sporty’s Academy provides the flight training for UC Clermont College and, in addition to his position as president of Sporty’s Academy, Radtke serves as the UC Clermont chief instructor of aviation. He is also vice president of Sporty’s Pilot Shop.

“Eric continues to lead, teach and give back in teh community where he was raised,” said Gregory S. Sojka, dean of UC Clermont College. “We are so pleased to honor him today as one of our shining examples of success.”

Radtke was named as the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus at a UC Clermont’s annual scholarship luncheon. “The Professional Pilot Training Program at UC, offered in partnership with Sporty’s Academy, was and is an environment that always felt warm, welcoming and right,” said Radtke during his speech at the luncheon. “It’s this warm and welcoming environment, along with a sense of high expectations for student growth and development, that led me here.”

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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