JBU launches flight program, partners with Springdale-based Airo
by April 23, 2025 11:27 am 452 views
Camron McAhren and President Chip Pollard at the professional flight program launch.
John Brown University in Siloam Springs will begin a professional flight program this fall. According to a news release, JBU is the only Christian college in Arkansas to offer an aviation program and one of two programs in the state.
The bachelor’s degree in professional flight is a partnership between JBU and Springdale-based flight school Airo, formerly ARH. It’s expected to help meet the growing demand for pilots.
The new program combines a business-focused liberal arts education through JBU and flight and ground instruction from Airo at Springdale Municipal Airport. Students can earn their private pilot license, instrument flight rating, commercial pilot license, and flight instructor certification after completing the coursework and flight time and passing industry exams.
“This new degree program will equip students with technical skills and business and general knowledge in ways that will enable them to be excellent pilots in a variety of professional contexts,” said Chip Pollard, president of JBU. “Our partnership with Airo is particularly meaningful because we share a Christian commitment that infuses our mission to serve students well.”
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the United States will need 130,000 pilots by 2043. Globally, more than 670,000 pilots will be needed over the next 20 years, according to Boeing.
“At Airo, our passion is to train pilots and help them fulfill their dreams of a career in aviation,” said Camron McAhren, president of Airo. “We provide a great technical trade foundation and our partnership with JBU will expand the potential for our students. Having a bachelor’s degree will put students above other candidates that don’t have that same educational foundation.”
Those with the degree can pursue various career paths, including piloting commercial, corporate, private, air ambulance or search and rescue flights, missionary aviation and flight instruction.
JBU will admit up to 20 students in the program’s first year. Students in the program will pay flight school fees and JBU tuition and fees.