College of Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology

College of Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology The College of Aeronautics is recognized as one of the top university-based aviation programs in the nation.

Our programs and faculty have earned an international reputation for excellence in the education and preparation of aviation professionals. We are responsible for graduate and undergraduate programs in a variety of files such as Aeronautical Sciences, Aviation Management, Meteorology, Airport Management and Development, Human Factors, and Aviation Safety. We deliver world class educational program

s that lead to both flight and non-flight aviation careers. The success of our graduates and our international reputation for excellence speaks volumes about the programs we offer. It is the college’s intent to achieve and maintain a stable, highly sought after, top quality university aviation educational opportunity in an institutional environment known for technical excellence.

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is seeking motivated student leaders studying aviation and aeronautics...
09/09/2026

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is seeking motivated student leaders studying aviation and aeronautics. If you would be interested in joining Florida Tech’s OBAP chapter, please fill out the interest form!

Founded in 1976, OBAP was founded to provide Black airline pilots to organize in support of minorities in the aerospace industry. Members attend yearly conferences and summits, participate in mentorship programs, and are eligible for significant scholarships to advance aviation education.

The COA would like to congratulate Captain Greg Zahornacky '82, who has recently been awarded the FAA Wright Brothers Ma...
09/08/2026

The COA would like to congratulate Captain Greg Zahornacky '82, who has recently been awarded the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Captain Zahornacky is a previous Skurla Award winner and extremely well-qualified pilot and educator. He receives the award following over fifty years of flying.

Captain Zahornacky completed his first solo on his 16th birthday before coming to Florida Tech to complete B.S. degrees in Air Commerce and Flight Technology. He flew with Pennsylvania Airlines and USAir before returning to academia, receiving a dual Master's degree with distinction in Aviation Operations and Education from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Teaching is a clear passion for Zahornacky, with experiences ranging from serving as a Level D Check Instructor on the CRJ-200 simulator to his current career educating the next generation of aviators at as an Assistant Professor of Aeronautics at ERAU.

Captain Zahornacky's experience has a wide range--in addition to piloting and teaching, he is also an accomplished Emcee and DJ, working on-air as "Greg Keys" for WIKD in Daytona Beach and lending his voice to Lionel Trains and VFR Productions. The COA has gotten to experience "Greg Keys" as well, as Captain Zahornacky has DJed for social and alumni gatherings over the years. He joins other notable alum, including fellow Skurla Award winner Capt. Paris Michaels, as a Master Pilot recipient.

Congratulations to Captain Zahornacky on this esteemed honor!

Congratulations to COA alumnus Benjamin Leischner on his election to the Airports Council International - North America ...
09/01/2026

Congratulations to COA alumnus Benjamin Leischner on his election to the Airports Council International - North America Board of Directors!

Ben has served as the Executive Director of Quad Cities International Airport in Illinois since 2018, working to revitalize the airport in light of declining passenger numbers and navigating the complexities of the post-pandemic era of aviation. Prior to directing MLI, Ben worked in numerous positions across Bellingham Intl. and Seattle-Tacoma Intl. in Washington, building crucial industry experience. He graduated with his B.S. in Aviation Management w/ Flight in 2004 and completed his flight training at .

Ben has proven his merit as a leader within the aviation community, and we are so thrilled to celebrate his election! He joins fellow COA alum and ACI-NA Vice Chair Jason Terreri '01 in service of the organization's mission: advocating for and supporting the operation and growth of commercial aviation!

The College of Aeronautics was proud to represent Florida Tech at the 8th annual Space Coast Symposium. Prof. Charles Ev...
08/28/2026

The College of Aeronautics was proud to represent Florida Tech at the 8th annual Space Coast Symposium. Prof. Charles Everett presented as part of a panel on unmanned systems, discussing future innovation in autonomous aviation alongside industry experts. Later, Florida Tech students, staff, and faculty joined for a photo op and reception.

Thank you to the for hosting--we are so grateful to call the Space Coast home and for the countless unique opportunities that our location provides!

The College of Aeronautics would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Aviation Management w/ Flight student Ryd...
08/27/2026

The College of Aeronautics would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Aviation Management w/ Flight student Ryder Schuch, who has received two prestigious industry scholarships: the CABAA Collegiate Financial Scholarship and the AMCG Management Scholarship. These awards followed a busy summer for the student, who completed his Commercial Pilot (ASEL) Certificate at in May before returning home to Chicago to work for CAVU Aircraft Detailing.

Despite maintaining this busy schedule, Ryder also made time to explore other unique aviation opportunities, like attending the inaugural EgyptAir arrival at Chicago-O'Hare Intl. Airport, meeting up with members of NBAA and FCAP at EAA AirVenture 2026, and attending a Gulfstream OEM showcase at Chicago Executive. Since coming back to campus, Ryder has kept up the pace, making the time to present to students in Prof. Sean McGeough's Aviation Career Planning course while working toward completing his own degree and flight instructor certification. We are incredibly proud of Ryder's ambition and cannot wait to see what he accomplishes next!

As we close out the first week of the Fall 2026 semester, the COA would like to give a warm welcome to Dr. Jason Herkime...
08/21/2026

As we close out the first week of the Fall 2026 semester, the COA would like to give a warm welcome to Dr. Jason Herkimer, our newest faculty addition for Fall 2026!

Dr. Herkimer is an accomplished Airbus captain, researcher, and educator who will teach both ground school courses for flight students and senior-level aircraft systems courses. He is also a proud Florida Tech alum--Dr. Herkimer received his Ph. D. in Aviation Sciences from Florida Tech in 2017. He returns to the classroom now to share expertise only gained through time and effort in the airline industry, and we know that this experience will have a vast impact on our students!

Congratulations to College of Aeronautics students Noa Hollander, Raldayne Thomas, and Jacob Wolfe, who each received sc...
08/19/2026

Congratulations to College of Aeronautics students Noa Hollander, Raldayne Thomas, and Jacob Wolfe, who each received scholarships from the Florida Airports Council during the 2026 annual convention in Ft. Lauderdale!

Noa and Raldayne attended the event to receive their awards in-person, joined by fellow Florida Tech students, faculty, and alumni. As the recipient of the Spencer Arnold Memorial Scholarship, Noa also had the pleasure of meeting Spencer's mother, Cinda, and better understanding Spencer's legacy as a pilot and businessowner.

The Educational Foundation has awarded over $474,000 in scholarships since 1990 to aviation students from select Florida colleges and universities. The program seeks to financially assist students studying aviation to best support the future of the industry, and we could not be more grateful to see our students selected for such an honor!

In June, Florida Tech's Professional Asian Pilots Association chapter attended the 2026 PAPA Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. ...
08/10/2026

In June, Florida Tech's Professional Asian Pilots Association chapter attended the 2026 PAPA Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Four student leaders--Aibar Aitaza, Rygel Estillore, Brandon Mo, and Joshua Alfred--were able to attend as a result of a generous sponsorship from Republic Airways!

Congratulations to Florida Tech College of Aeronautics alumna Clara Bennett, on being awarded the Aviation Leadership Aw...
08/08/2026

Congratulations to Florida Tech College of Aeronautics alumna Clara Bennett, on being awarded the Aviation Leadership Award by the Florida Airports Council.

Clara is also a previous Skurla Award winner for Outstanding COA alumni. She serves as the Executive Director of the Boca Raton Airport Authority. We are so incredibly proud of her and her amazing achievements!

Florida Airports Council
Boca Raton Airport
Florida Tech Alumni Association
Florida Tech Aeronautics

Meredith Carroll, Founder and Director of the COA’s ATLAS Lab, presented alongside Congressman Mike Haridopolos and Spac...
08/06/2026

Meredith Carroll, Founder and Director of the COA’s ATLAS Lab, presented alongside Congressman Mike Haridopolos and Space Coast tech leaders Milo Zonka and Alain Berinstain at the Space Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Technology, Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense (TAAD) event. Dr. Carroll, a professor and researcher studying aviation human factors, presented on Advanced Air Mobility on Florida’s Space Coast during the meeting, sharing her research with local leaders and industry experts.

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