Korean Aerospace University opened Sanford Flight School in Sanford International Airport, Florida on May 1 at 10am (local time). Around 100 persons including e x e cutives, flight trainees, etc. such as KAU President Hurr Hee-young, Jeongseok Inha Academy Standing Director Yi Hwa-seok, KAU Flight Training Center Director Kim In-gyu, Planning Team Manager Shin Seung-won, Personnel in Charge Jo Jae-hyeong, and L3Harris Flight School's David Cox attended the opening ceremony. KAU President Hurr’s congratulatory speech was followed by the signing ceremony and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In preparation for the Hanjin Group’s increasing demand for pilots due to Korean Air’s takeover of Asiana and Jin Air-centered LCC integration, KAU operates industrial pilot and experienced (at least 1,000 hours of flight) pilot training curricula based on a contract with L3Harris Flight School. In addition, KAU will develop curricula customized for the domestic aviation industry in order to supply competent pilots to the private sector stably. To accomplish this goal, KAU will design curricula suitable for the current aviation industry and operate such courses in cooperation with L3Harris. After evaluating numerous flight schools in the USA, KAU and Korean Air selected L3Harris as the best partner.

“Since its establishment in 1952, Korea Aerospace University has been continuously seeking changes to contribute to the development of the aviation industry. Opening Sanford Flight School, we will strengthen the quality of our flight training courses and cultivate competent pilots trusted by all airlines,” KAU President Hurr said during his congratulatory speech. After the opening ceremony, the attendees looked around L3Harris and KAU’s training facilities and had a luncheon with KAU flight trainees. The Standing Director asked trainees to do their best to complete the curriculum and learn as many things as possible. Currently, 40 KAU flight trainees (including instructors) are building their flight career, receiving training at L3Harris. More students are expected to study at this facility after the opening ceremony.

The KAU Flight Training Center recruits and selects new trainees of the KAU Pilot Program (KPP) to be provided at Sanford Flight School from the second half of this year. The goal of KPP is to develop KAU students and non-KAU students as pilots for domestic airlines. Visit the website of the KAU Flight Training Center (http://ftc.kau.ac.kr) for further details.