The Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence is preparing to welcome its inaugural class of cadets to the summer 2021 U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Flight Academy, comprised of incoming high school seniors from across the nation. The selection process for the AFJROTC Summer Flight Academy is highly competitive, with all cadets meeting the components required of U.S. Air Force Academy candidates.

The Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence has tailored program learning objectives to prepare cadets for future military and flight careers.

“The majority of our staff at the Aviation Center of Excellence are former or current military flight instructors, and therefore, have a first-hand understanding of the needs of our cadets and how we can best position their training to meet their goals,” said Joel Kirk, Chief Pilot and Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence Director. “Our niche is that we are small, and students will benefit from our ‘quality over quantity’ philosophy, with more one-on-one, specialized attention.”

Summer 2021 JROTC cadets will report to the Fairmont State main campus where they will reside for the entirety of the eight-week program. Candidates will experience instruction similar to Air Force Academy flight training, allowing cadets to fly one to two times each day, six days per week.

“We strive to offer unmatched experiential learning opportunities,” said Mirta M. Martin, Fairmont State University President. “Our aviation program is one of the best of its kind in the nation. With the introduction of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Flight Academy, our expert teacher-mentors can now offer that hands-on training to even more students, and start them on a track to a meaningful, rewarding career.”

Fairmont State is one of 25 universities throughout the nation that has partnered with the U.S. Air Force to provide opportunities to JROTC cadets, while also expediting flight training for future airmen.