Spartan College and SAMS Academy Partner for Pilot Training Program

Through the Spartan Affiliate Training Program, graduates from SAMS Academy who obtained their pilots' certificate may be eligible to earn credits toward an associate degree in Aviation Flight with reduced training time.

(TULSA, Okla.) – Officials at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology announce the most recent Pathway Program partner, SAMS Academy. SAMS Academy is a public STEM charter school located in Albuquerque, NM, with an aviation curriculum. For the graduates of SAMS Academy who have earned their private pilot's certificate, the Spartan Pathway Program can reduce the training time needed to achieve their FAA-approved Certified Flight Instructor and Instrument Instructor certificate along with an associate degree in Aviation Flight.

"This partnership is centered around providing a clear pathway for SAMS students to achieve an associate degree and earn their flight ratings after completion of their high school aviation program," said Daniel Bregman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development at Spartan. "We have agreed to award credit for an earned FAA Private Pilot Certificate as well as credits for general education courses that SAMS students complete through their local community college, which will reduce their time and cost to further their training at Spartan."

SAMS Academy introduces its students to the world of aeronautics and trains individuals with little to no airplane experience. With this Spartan partnership, SAMS hopes even more of its graduates will continue their career-oriented training. In addition to reducing training time with approved transfer credits, Spartan also offers the students financial aid to those who qualify. While Spartan does not offer ATP certification training, students who complete the Spartan program are able to test for the certification based on a reduced flight time requirement. The students who attend Spartan love learning about new airplanes and avionics and getting to fly early in the curriculum. 

"I think I can speak on behalf of the entire SAMS team when I say that we are thrilled to enter into such an amazing partnership with Spartan," said Nathan Hardin, Director of Aeronautics at SAMS. "Spartan has been an industry leader in the aviation arena, and we are humbled and grateful that they would be willing to offer our students such an outstanding opportunity." 

"Our partnership with SAMS gives us the opportunity to work directly with recently graduated high school students who are committed to aviation education from an early time in their lives," Bregman said. "We can work with them in a way that includes articulation into an accredited college as necessary to work toward their aviation career aspirations. Spartan College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)."

Find out more about this partnership and others here