ASU college provides aviation training for Civil Air Patrol units

Over 120 Civil Air Patrol cadets from around Arizona gathered at ASU’s Polytechnic campus May 4 to learn about the College of Technology and Innovation (CTI) aviation program and career opportunities in aviation. Cadets hailed from all areas of Arizona, including Sedona, Flagstaff, Yuma, Tucson and the greater Phoenix area.

The primary mission of the Civil Air Patrol is to provide search and rescue services for missing aircraft. The organization also provides flight training, operations education, and military bearing and discipline for junior high and high school-aged Civil Air Patrol cadets. 

“We want younger people to learn about the many career opportunities that exist in aviation,” said Mary Niemczyk, CTI aviation program chair and associate professor. “As a leading academic program in aviation, part of our mission here is to educate students about the possibilities that come with enrolling in a program such as ours.”

During the event, cadets received general information about air traffic control, engineering, aircraft structures and campus flight simulators. 

The organization approached faculty in CTI’s aviation program about hosting an annual training that introduces young cadets to opportunities in aviation careers and higher education possibilities. 

Karrie Shank, lecturer in the aviation program, received a plaque of appreciation from Pete Feltz, the Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol director of aerospace education. Feltz said he would like more cadets to learn about CTI’s aviation program and will be making arrangements to return to the Polytechnic campus in two years for another training event.

“We wouldn’t be surprised if we see some of these cadets return here as students in the future,” Shank said. “We certainly hope to see them here someday.”

Aviation lecturer James Anderson says not all cadets in attendance at Saturday’s event are interested in careers in aviation, and CTI recruiters discussed other academic programs offered at ASU’s Polytechnic campus.

“As a college, we have a lot to offer,” Anderson said. “What a great experience it was to give so many young minds an opportunity to see the value in pursuing dreams in higher education.”

written by: Sydney B. Donaldson, CTI