Aviation Industry Career Training

Aviation Education Center

 

Saint Francis University's New Aviation Education Center 

 

The Saint Francis University Aviation Education Center is dedicated to developing innovative, high-demand programs that meet the workforce needs in aviation and related industries. 


SFU's growing presence at the John Murtha Johnstown–Cambria County Airport is a result of the university’s aviation education partnership with the airport authority, Nulton Aviation Services, Cambria County, SkyWest Airlines, Lockheed Martin Aeroparts Inc. and Martin-Baker America.

 

Aviation Careers Start at Saint Francis University

Whether your goal is to work on aircraft and drones,  or to pilot them, we offer degree and certificate preparation options to get you on the right path to a rewarding career.


Our Offerings

  • Aviation Maintenance Technician Training (in development)

    This proposed hands-on technical program is designed to be completed in 21 months and will prepare students to work as technicians in the aviation industry and beyond.

     

    • Courses will be held in Johnstown at SFU's new Aviation  Education Center at the John Murtha Cambria County Airport.  
    • Our unique curriculum will prepare students to test for their General, Airframe and Powerplant certificates  and prepare them to execute precision, detail-oriented maintenance and manufacturing tasks.
    • SFU is partnering with SkyWest Airlines, giving future AMT graduates access to their AMT Pathway Program

    Anticipated Start: 2024

    AMT certificate program page

  • Aviation Specialization/Pilot's Training

    The Aviation Specialization, provided in coordination with Nulton Aviation Services, catapults a student with no past flight experience to the edge of commercial aviation. 

     

    • Obtain a Private Pilot License and a Commercial License within 3.5 years.
    • Prepare for a career in commercial aviation by leveraging Saint Francis University's Elite Partnership with SkyWest Airlines.
    • Enhance your marketability in law enforcement, engineering, and many other fields

    Admissions paths are open for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals.

     

    Open: Accepting Applications

    Pilot Training program page

  • Flexible Online Degree Paths

    Both the Pilot 's Training  and the Aviation Maintenance programs can be worked into an SFU degree. The most flexible path is  our online B.S. in Organizational Leadership.  

     

    Build out your degree path: 

    Division of Professional Studies 

     

aviation

Meeting Workforce Needs


The need for pilots: Recognizing the global shortage of pilots, SFU entered the aviation education space in 2017 after receiving startup funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to develop a pilot training program in partnership with Nulton Aviation Services.

 

The need for aviation maintenance technicians: Beyond the need for pilots, the university has also stepped up to meet  a critical demand in aviation maintenance.  In October 2022, the university was awarded a  $1 million grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to develop Aviation Maintenance Technician programming.


Choose your career path.

Contacts:


Dean of the Division of Professional Studies

Dr. Tricia McFadden

TMcfadden@francis.edu
814-471-1163


Aviation Maintenance:

 Director Aviation Maintenance Tech. Program

 Brianna Pavkovich

 bpavkovich@francis.edu

814-471-1153

 

Pilot's License Training:

Aviation Program Chair/Engineering Instructor

Br. Marius Strom, T.O.R.

mstrom@francis.edu
814-472-3934

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Our Facilities


Aviation Maintenance: 

Future AMT courses will be held at SFU's new Aviation Education Center located in Hanger 15 at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

 

Pilot Training:

Flight and ground training in the Aviation Specialization (Pilot's License Training) is taught by certified flight instructors from Nulton Aviation Services, an FAA-certified part 141 Pilot School.

Aviation Education Center News

Blog

SFU names inaugural director for new Aviation Maintenance Technician School

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 10/10/2023
Saint Francis University has appointed Brianna Pavkovich of Rockwood, PA, the inaugural director of the university's newest workforce development initiative, the Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate program. As the new director, her first duties include guiding the program through the FAA approval process with the goal of beginning classes in Fall 2024. 

SFU Receives $1 Million Dollar ARC POWER Grant for Aviation Maintenance Technician School

Marie Young, University Marketing & Communications | 10/18/2022
Saint Francis University has been awarded a $1 million grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to launch an Aviation Maintenance Technician School. The new Aviation Maintenance Technician School will be sited at the John Murtha Johnstown Cambria County Airport and will offer a 14 CFR 147-certified training curriculum for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.

Press Release: SFU launches new Aviation program with Nulton Aviation

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 05/19/2018
PRESS RELEASE (May 10, 2018) A new Saint Francis University program offered in partnership with Nulton Aviation Services of Johnstown will allow students to earn a bachelor's degree and a private/commercial pilot's license at the same time.
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Programs for Every Stage of the Journey


Saint Francis University is a transformational place that cultivates leaders prepared to make a difference in the lives of others. Our career-focused, character-building programs  offered through the Division of Professional Studies can help you move forward in every phase of your professional journey.