Southern Utah University has upgraded its aviation training program with the purchase of 10 new Cirrus SR20s.
“Globally, the aviation industry is expanding rapidly and the demand for qualified pilots is high,” says SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “The addition of the Cirrus aircraft will elevate our program by offering the most advanced and safest training available in the world.”
Selected to prepare students to fly advanced aircraft, the Cirrus SR20 features the latest in cockpit technologies and instrument training systems. The SR20 also comes standard with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, designed to safely lower the airplane to the ground in an emergency.
In addition to the new training fleet, the university announced a strategic partnership with SkyWest Airlines, giving students access to advanced training, tuition reimbursement opportunities and a direct path to becoming a first officer with the regional airline.
“Our agreement with SkyWest puts graduates immediately into the cockpit in a sought after, exciting career,” Wyatt says.
According to SUU chief fixed-wing flight instructor Neal Donahue, the university’s aviation program anticipates a 300-percent spike in enrollment by the fall semester, with the announcement of the new planes and SkyWest partnership.
The first four SR20s are scheduled to arrive in June, followed by three in July and three in August.
