TSU Aviation Partners with the Air Force JROTC to Host Flight Program for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Courtesy of Texas Southern University

The United States Air Force has selected Texas Southern University as a host site for its national program for aspiring pilots for the fourth year. The High School and Air Force Academy students are selected from thousands of applicants around the United States. Students are selected for this program based on grades, physical fitness, and an application exam.

TSU’s Aviation Science Management Program facilitates this seven-week intensive flight training program as part of a contract with the Air Force.

“Partnerships with the United States Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard are important measures to the steady growth of our program on a national stage,” said Dr. Terence H. Fontaine, Executive Director of Aviation. “We are a proud partner and wish the 2024 class of Air Force JROTC cadets good luck and favorable winds.”

Cadets receive instruction from TSU’s certified ground and flight instructors, prepare for licensing exams, practice flights in Redbird simulators and fly a few of TSU’s nine planes at Ellington Airport.

“It is with great excitement that we enter into the fourth year of this partnership with the Air Force,” said Dr. Mary Evans Sias, Texas Southern University interim president. “Their return to TSU year after year is a testament to the quality instruction cadets receive while they’re on our campus and the success they have in achieving the goals they come here to achieve. We look forward to welcoming this next class of JROTC cadets to Tigerland this summer.”

In 2023, 100 percent of cadets passed their FAA written exam and all cadets who tested for their Private Pilot License passed and received their FAA Private Pilot License.