Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Celebrates 93 Years of Training Pilots and Aviation Maintenance Technicians

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology trains the next generation of aviation professionals with technology focused practical training that emphasizes safety.

(TULSA, Okla.) – Officials at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology honor their 93-year history with 93 days of celebration titled “Our Past, Your Future.” Over the next 93 days, Spartan will celebrate with events, announcements, rollouts, and take-offs to attract a new generation of students to train for pilot and technician careers.

“Now, more than ever, the aviation industry is relying on schools to train pilots and maintenance technicians needed to meet the demand in today’s market, and for decades to come,” said Spartan College CEO Rob Polston. “For 93 years, Spartan College has trained each generation of workers with safety, technology, and practical skills. Our students are training to be future of aviation professionals and our goal is to provide each student an opportunity for a long and sustainable aviation career.”

130,000 New Pilots*

132,000 New Maintenance Technician*

*Needed to fly and maintain the North American commercial aviation fleet during the next 20 years according to Boeing Co.’s updated 2021 Pilot and Technician Outlook

boeing pilot and technician outlook 2021-2040

According to the recent release of Boeing Co.’s updated 2021 Pilot and Technician Outlook, the aerospace company projects 130,000 new pilots and 132,000 new maintenance technicians are needed to fly and maintain the North American commercial aviation fleet during the next 20 years. The disparity grows even more broad when business aviation, such as cargo carriers, and helicopter pilot demand is included.

In recent months, major airlines were forced to cancel several hundred flights, primarily due to a shortage of pilots and crew as passenger travel quickly ramped up with record highs following the COVID-19 pandemic. Major and regional airlines continue to struggle filling its workforce needs with professional skilled talent.

“The aviation workforce gap was already apparent pre-pandemic when the industry experienced a personnel shortage due to changes in the mandatory retirement age of 65 years old,” Polston said. “At the other end of the age spectrum, Spartan College is focused on introducing aviation career training to members of a new generation.”

“At Spartan College, we are meeting the expectations of today’s students with innovative, technology-driven education,” Polston said. “Our early development and adoption of technology for online and virtual learning methods was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2017. Our foresight was a major advantage when the pandemic began to keep our critical workforce training pipeline intact.”

In 2021, Spartan College completed a significant capital investment to ensure its pilot cadets are trained via a modern fleet of 30 new, Piper Archer TX aircraft. Each aircraft includes the Garmin G1000 NXI Integrated Avionics System which trains students using advanced flight technology in preparation for a commercial pilot career.

“Today’s students are the first generation where STEM education and technology were a rule and not an exception during their entire academic years,” Polston said. “These students are well prepared to enter the workforce in the transformative Industry 4.0 era that combines the use of technology and machinery.”

Spartan's 30 All New Piper Archer TX Aircraft Equipped with Garmin G1000 NXI Integrated Avionics Systems

This bodes well for Spartan College’s collaborative efforts with major airlines to develop new career pathways. These initiatives provide an outlook for enrollment growth, student success, and filling airline demand. 

The SkyWest Pilot Career Pathway was announced over the summer with benefits including Ground School Seniority at SkyWest Airlines, SkyWest Education Assistance to those who qualify at specific milestones, as well as early engagement with SkyWest mentors available from the first day of training at Spartan.

A Spartan College cooperative partnership with the Cherokee Nation was signed in recognition of National Aviation Day empowering tribal citizens to pursue education and training for careers in the aviation industry.

“The COVID-19 crisis has magnified the need for robust collaboration, and with their main campus in Tulsa, we feel this partnership will be a great benefit to Cherokee citizens looking at a career in aviation,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “Spartan College is a well-recognized educational institution in the field of aviation that continues to invest in their student experience and will help the Cherokee Nation provide yet another career-oriented training opportunity for our citizens in an exciting field.”

Established in 1928, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has trained more than 100,000 pilots and technicians. Spartan’s diverse and robust alumni and students give rise to the next 93 years of safety, technology, and practical training for those preparing for the aviation industry as pilots and technicians.

Prospective students may learn more online at Spartan.edu and on Spartan College’s social media pages or follow #Spartan93. “Celebrating our past and your time.”