MURFREESBORO — MTSU
student pilots in the university’s highly regarded aerospace department will be
beneficiaries of a bridge program between MTSU and PSA Airways Inc. that
potentially could land them jobs.
The university
and PSA Airways formally signed a partnership agreement today (July 10) in the
Business and Aerospace Building’s south lobby.
College of Basic
and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer signed the agreement for MTSU. Randy
Fusi, vice president of safety for PSA Airways, signed for his airline, but was
unable to attend. PSA chief pilot George Reazer and captain and pilot recruiter
Adrienne Wells represented their company.
“The bridge program is designed to allow MTSU students the
opportunity for increased employment options after graduation, with the
possibility of entering PSA’s pilot training program,” said Paul Mosey, chief
flight instructor at MTSU’s Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport.
Wells said the agreement “will give the opportunity for the
students to have an excellent pathway into the aviation career field.”
PSA Airways is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways and
headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. Wells said the airline has flight bases in
Charlotte, N.C., and Knoxville, Tenn.
Fischer said it is “a great opportunity” for students.
“It’s what makes us different from most institutions in
Tennessee, in that we offer hands-on opportunities and bridge programs that
allow you to take that next step in your career to the future,” he said. “And
this is an excellent example of how industry and universities can work together
to solve problems that are out there as we move forward.”
Senior Chachere Moore said it is “a great opportunity to
show just how great the university is, how great the program is and how strong
it is for them to go out of their way to come here today to show us what steps
we need to do to reach our goal of becoming a commercial airplane pilot.”
Moore said she is “going to look more into it, and speak
with them and pursue it. … Today, this is an opportunity to pursue what I want
to do. I think this is a great opportunity.”
Speaking to students attending the announcement, Fischer
said “this is why this program is so good. It’s amazing because of the
equipment that’s associated with it and the people who teach you the equipment
and teach you how to be pro pilots or maintenance people.”
Reazer said PSA Airways has “employed several (MTSU) alumni
who have done extremely well with our airline.”
MTSU’s aerospace department has more than 750 majors in five
concentrations: administration, technology, flight dispatch, maintenance
management and professional pilot. In addition to administrators and staff, the
department includes 14 faculty members and 35 flight instructors. Master’s
degrees in aviation administration and aerospace education also are offered.
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