EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Eastern Kentucky University's School of Aviation holds a singular distinction in Kentucky: it is the state's only university aviation program with FAA Part 141 certification and authorization to grant the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate at 1,000 flight hours rather than the standard 1,500. Located at Central Kentucky Regional Airport (KBKL), just 15 minutes south of the Richmond campus, EKU Aviation also serves as the airport's fixed base operator — a role the university has held since 2011 that provides students with reduced operating costs, dedicated facilities, and practical employment opportunities in airport management and operations. The school maintains a robust training fleet of 29 Cessna single-engine aircraft and 3 Piper PA-44 Seminoles for multi-engine instruction, along with flight simulator labs on the main campus for procedure training. Degree students pursuing the Professional Flight Concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Aviation log 250-300 flight hours before graduation. EKU's aviation program offers additional concentrations in Aerospace Management and Aerospace Technology, creating multiple career pathways in an aviation-focused department that has earned regional and national recognition for its integrated FBO-university model.