Daniel Webster College
Posted on: Saturday, 2 February 2008, 03:00 CST
By Goyer, Norm
College-educated pilots have the best opportunities There are more top-ranked colleges in New England than in any other comparably sized U.S. region. Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., maintains this tradition, particularly with its nationally recognized Aviation Flight Operations (AFO) program. As the aviation industry takes off both nationally and internationally, this professional-pilot program continues to grow and develop.
With the increasing demand for aviation professionals, don't ever try to convince yourself that you don't need a bachelor's degree- because you do! If you want to ascend a rewarding career ladder in commercial aviation, a bachelor's degree is consistent with solid preparation that yields success.
A well-prepared candidate who has invested in his or her education in this way will fare much better than one who hasn't. The completion of a bachelor's degree, in general, provides a prospective employer with the knowledge that an applicant is hardworking, dedicated, intelligent and able to handle complex problems.
Typically, the best and highest-paid aviation positions require at least a four-year degree. Reportedly, more than 98% of those hired by the majors have at least a bachelor's degree. It's therefore not surprising that over the past five years, approximately 90% of Daniel Webster AFO graduates have been employed in the aviation industry within only six months after graduation.
Airline recruiters around the world are aware of the quality of Daniel Webster graduates and are eager to arrange employment interviews after-and even before-graduation. On-campus career- development professionals help arrange and prepare students for these all-important job interviews.
Earning a college degree is neither easy nor inexpensive; it requires a commitment that only the finest young men and women possess. The bottom line is that if you want a professional career with high pay and benefits in commercial aviation, then you'll need a bachelor's degree-a fact that's true in all fields and industries these days.
Daniel Webster's AFO program is ranked among the best aviation programs. The college has provisions for those with flight experience from other settings and does transfer credit from other accredited schools to the extent possible-whether the student has earned a degree or not.
The location of a flight institution, in relation to changing weather patterns, changing seasons and proximity to high-density air movement, should be considered when a student is looking for a well- rounded flight experience.
Daniel Webster College is right in the heart of the Northeast corridor. Some of the busiest airline terminals in the world are in the Northeast and are close to Daniel Webster's New Hampshire home base. Nashua Municipal Airport, a three-minute walk from the college and the place where training is conducted, is a Class D airport that sees 125,000 operations yearly off its single 5,500-foot runway. It's served by two VOR approaches, a GPS, NDB and an ILS Approach. Daniel Webster and the airport are located just 10 miles from Manchester Boston Regional Airport and about 40 miles from Boston Logan International Airport. Much of a student's training occurs in the busy Northeast corridor, amplifying the college's orientation toward training in a full-mission operational environment.
One great aspect of Daniel Webster's location and curriculum is that the college tries to emphasize practical real-world experiences within the training. As a result, nearly every student will perform a flight into and out of Boston Logan, Washington Dulles or Philadelphia International. There are also possibilities for flights into and out of the New York metropolitan area, Newark, N.J., and Westchester County Airport.
But when concentrated air work is needed, the quiet rolling hills of Daniel Webster's neighboring communities provide the perfect location for students to learn primary flying without worrying about the crowded skies. With its training in a real-world operational context, in addition to operations within the Northeast corridor, Daniel Webster operates in varied terrain. Students regularly fly into and out of airports in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountains of Vermont, along with coastal locations along the Maine and Massachusetts coasts, including Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
I have thousands of hours flying in this area, and the varied weather and terrain conditions helped me many times while flying in other areas of the country. Learning to cope with snow and ice on your aircraft and on the runways, along with changing wind patterns in the mountains, is a positive addition to your logbook and on your resume. Again, because of the college's location and provision of real-world experiences, students learn about and are challenged by these types of operational issues, starting their freshman year.
Make sure the college you choose is the one that's best suited for you. Ascertain the type of aircraft the institution flies. Are they maintained well? Do they represent the type of avionics and flight characteristics that are currently in demand? Multi-engine training is critical for future airline pilots. The type of aircraft you fly will greatly enhance your learning experience, plus they're simply more fun!
After completing one of the most exciting flying programs in the country, Daniel Webster College students will receive their baccalaureate degree with about 190 to 250 hours of flight training. They'll get between 25 and 40 hours in their Elite iGATE Advanced Aircrew Training Devices (AATDs), and will receive about 40 hours of twin-engine flight training.
Daniel Webster owns its own hangar, which is capable of storing up to 20 aircraft; the college owns and uses four Aero-Lifts to facilitate its use of storage space. There are currently 29 aircraft in the fleet, including a leased Diamond DA42 Twin Star, which is being used to introduce the college's instructional staff to operations in a glass-cockpit aircraft.
The fairly young fleet also includes 19 Cessna 172s, three Grob G109B motor gliders, three Piper Arrows and three Piper Seminole multi-engine trainers.
Earning a college degree in aviation sciences isn't cheap, but Daniel Webster's financial-assistance counselors will assist you in applying for federal and state grants, work programs, loan programs and scholarships to make your enrollment more affordable.
If your interest lies in aviation business management, Daniel Webster offers a baccalaureate degree in aviation management. The college is also home to the number-one-rated ATC program in New England, with new radar and ATC tower simulators, and offers a robust four-year degree in aeronautical engineering.
Your college experience should include a fun-filled social life to renew the mind and body for the next day's flying challenges. The school provides housing for students, with a wide variety of residence-hall options, allowing students the choices that meet their lifestyle needs. Dining services are provided by Aramark Corporation, and resident students select from a choice of plans.
Daniel Webster is an NCAA Division III college offering eight men's and seven women's sports, along with a full schedule of intramural activities. The Mario Vagge Gym not only houses athletic teams and intramural space, but it's also home to the college's fitness center. Additionally, there are 26 recognized campus clubs and organizations, which, along with the Student Activities Board, provide a broad range of activities and events during the week as well as on the weekends.
Daniel Webster College runs on a typical college semester basis with classes starting in the fall and the spring. Interested students should log on to Daniel Webster's Website at www.dwc.edu. You can also call or e-mail the school to speak with an admissions counselor about your interests.
Students enrolled in the Aviation Flight Operations program at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., will receive a baccalaureate degree with about 190 to 250 hours of flight training.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Daniel Webster College
20 University Drive
Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 577-6000
(800) 325-6876
www.dwc.edu
Copyright Werner Publishing Corporation Feb 2008
(c) 2008 Plane and Pilot. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Plane and Pilot
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