Aviation Sciences Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary

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Media contact: Tonya Lewis, (254) 710-4656

WACO, Texas (Sept. 9, 2016) — This year, Baylor University's aviation sciences program has achieved a milestone — the 25th anniversary of a degree program that not only produces innovative research in atmosphere and space sciences, but also trains the next generation of pilots and leaders in the aviation industry.

The Baylor Institute for Air Science began in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree. Courses were designed to form professional pilots, while simultaneously researching aircraft alternative fuels and atmospheric sampling. Today, the pilot training part of the degree remains intact, but Baylor also has added concentrations in aircraft dispatch and air traffic control. The newest members of the aviation sciences program are the aviation administration major, and a secondary major and minor in aviation sciences.

"Today, we offer more aviation degree options than ever before to help our students realize their career goals, and have created new industry partnerships to enhance their opportunities after graduation," said Trey Cade III, Ph.D., assistant research professor and director of the Baylor Institute of Air Science. "We are excited about the future and what our students will continue to accomplish, making Baylor University an important contributor to the nation's aviation community."

After 25 years, not only have degrees and concentrations been added, but the mission of the Institute for Air Science has expanded to include education and research in atmospheric and space sciences as well. The program includes meteorology and space weather courses, as well as the newly created Space Weather Research Lab (SWERL) at the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC), where faculty actively involve undergraduate students in space science research.

"One thing I really like about aviation is it's more than just flying airplanes. There's research opportunities if you're interested, and there are so many classes that cover such a wide spectrum of aviation," said Baylor aviation sciences alumnus Jack Stanley, B.S. '13.

Among possible career paths for students in this program are: pilot, aerial firefighter, aviation analyst, flight instructor, astronaut, weather researcher and airport manager.

"The aviation science department at Baylor is unique because we do offer such a rigorous academic preparation to our students," said Aaron Dabney, Baylor adjunct lecturer, in a video. "So many programs are just focused solely on the aviation aspect, but our students have an academic preparation that allows them to pursue things in aviation outside the cockpit."

A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 on the fifth floor of Cashion, 1401 S. Fourth St., Waco, TX, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the program. It will be followed by a presentation by the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, which is performing at the Heart of Texas Airshow Sept. 17-18.

The aviation sciences program has the Baylor Aviation Organization for students with a passion for aviation. Students do not have to be an Aviation Sciences major to join.
For more information on the Baylor aviation sciences program, click here.
Click here for a video with more information on aviation sciences.

by Kelsey Dehnel, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.