EKU Aviation Majors, Others Can Now Take FAA Exams on Richmond Campus

Based on a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Computer Assisted Testing Service (CATS) site review and subsequent approval, all aviation majors at Eastern Kentucky University can now take their FAA examinations on the Richmond campus.

According to Ralph Gibbs, director of aviation at the University, students “may take any of their FAA exams when their instructor believes they have mastered the necessary content to successfully pass the corresponding exam. In fact, students may substitute their FAA exam score in lieu of the course final exam, if they take it before grades are due.”

Typically, aviation students will have FAA exams throughout their four years at EKU, as the FAA requires exams for the following certificates: Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Instructor Pilot-Instrument, Advanced Ground Instructor, and Instructor Pilot-Instrument.

Previously, EKU students would have traveled to one of the only two other regional FAA-approved test sites at the Mt. Sterling or Lexington airports. Now, they simply visit the University’s Academic Readiness and testing office in the Student Success Building to take their FAA exam. This FAA testing is also available for pilots who are non-EKU students.

“This is just another example of how EKU works tirelessly to enhance student learning and facilitate student success,” Gibbs said. “The EKU aviation program staff and the testing office have been working synergistically to bring this testing option to campus for some time. With that investment now coming to fruition, we now have a much more convenient FAA-approved testing option for our students.”

More than 100 students are currently pursuing the professional flight option (single-engine or multi-engine) in EKU’s four-year aviation program, and Gibbs expects that number to surpass 150 by fall 2013. The program also offers an aerospace management option.

The program is housed at Eastern Kentucky University’s main campus, and all flight training is conducted at the Madison County Airport, where EKU is the fixed-base operator. Eastern offers the only university-based aviation program in Kentucky.

For more information about the program, visit aviation.eku.edu.

Contact Information

Ralph Gibbs
donald.gibbs@eku.edu
859-622-1014

Published on January 09, 2013