NOTAAM Newsletter

Fall 2024, Semester Updates

Updates from the School of Aviation

December 10, 2024

War Eagle and welcome to the 2024 fall semester NOTAAM. It has been a very busy semester on the Plains. In this edition, we'll revisit our recent endeavors, share student success stories, and outline upcoming events!

Return to Normal C172 Operations

We are pleased to announce that our 48 Cessna 172 (C172) aircraft fleet returned to unrestricted normal operations last week. This milestone follows our transition to fuel servos manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), which have not been linked to the recent fuel servo issues. Auburn University is joining other universities in making this change to improve fleet reliability.

To support our students returning to flying, students will receive 2.0 hours of free flight credit to help them regain flight proficiency. Free simulator access has also been available since November 20 for ongoing proficiency training.

The temporary grounding of our C172 fleet posed significant challenges to our student pilot production. To recover and expand our capacity, the school added four C172 aircraft in September and three more in December and has five additional C172 deliveries planned for early 2025. Additional CFIs will be hired to increase instructional capacity. To better balance our student load with training resources, enrollment for the fall 2025 freshman class will be limited to 120 students, approximately half of our freshman enrollment in previous years.

In line with our mission to ensure safety and operational excellence, we are enhancing our infrastructure by strengthening our Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) and Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) systems. We are acquiring cellular connectivity to streamline the collection and analysis of flight data for our maintenance, flight operations, and safety teams.

Although not mandated by the FAA, the school will begin implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) this spring semester. To promote safety, the school will host monthly safety town halls and introduce an Aviation Student Safety Committee newsletter to foster a culture of transparency and collaboration.

The school is committed to upholding the highest safety standards while offering a world-class training environment. We appreciate your support of the Auburn University School of Aviation.

War Eagle!

James Birdsong, PhD

Delta Air Lines Endowed Assistant Professor

Interim Director, School of Aviation

Auburn and Opelika Fire Departments team up with AUO Airport.

This past summer, a comprehensive three-day airport rescue and firefighting training was held at the Auburn University Regional Airport.

The training was led by Niko Stavros. Niko is a senior in the Professional Flight program, an Auburn firefighter, and one of our very own Striped Wings Aviation Ambassadors. The event brought together multiple agencies, including Auburn and Opelika Fire Departments, Auburn's airport management team, flight safety personnel and aviation maintenance technicians.

The training included both an academic briefing and hands-on exercises at the airport to familiarize first responders with aircraft and airfield orientation, enhancing their readiness to respond to potential aircraft incidents. Now, over 800 first responders in the Auburn-Opelika area have digital access to resources and hands-on training regarding airport and aircraft operations.

We are so proud of Niko and our Auburn-Opelika first responders for helping create a safer training environment for our students and aviation community.

War Eagle!!

Distinguished Guest Speaker, Dr. Susan Northrup

In September 2024, the School of Aviation had the privilege to host, for the second time in three years, Dr. Susan Northrup, the FAA Federal Air Surgeon. In addition to having the responsibility to direct and manage all FAA medical programs she oversees the FAA's aeromedical education programs, the planning and conduct of aerospace medical and human factors research and the investigation of aircraft accident medical factors. Dr. Northrup is a retired Air Force Colonel and is board certified in aerospace medicine and in occupational medicine.

Dr. Northrup spent two days with us and had a town hall meeting on her first night at Auburn in a lecture hall in Lowder. She also visited a number of classes to discuss issues and talk with Auburn Aviation students. Additionally, Dr. Northrup held meetings with Associate Provost Norman Godwin, and the Dean of Liberal Arts, Jason Hicks.

Click here for more information about Dr. Northrup

Striped Wings Aviation Ambassadors: Atlanta Air Show 2024

Student Recruitment Events

At the Atlanta Air Show, the Striped Wings had the incredible opportunity to engage with over 800 individuals, sparking their interest in our educational programs and showcasing the exciting possibilities of a career in aviation. As we spoke to a diverse crowd, we highlighted the unique hands-on learning experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, and the supportive community that our institution offers. In their second year of attending, the Striped Wings were able to share the record growth of our program. Connecting with so many enthusiastic individuals in such a dynamic setting was a rewarding experience for our students, along with getting to watch the Thunderbirds perform.

"At the Atlanta Air Show, I was elated to see how diverse and expansive the Auburn network is. From meeting Auburn's second Aubie mascot to controllers in Atlanta TRACON, it was an inspiring experience and makes me look forward to becoming an Auburn Aviation Alum"

- Hans Rai

Senior, Professional Flight

Fall 2024 Engagement Events

This semester was filled with engagement events, allowing our students to connect with professionals in the industry and alumni. From our Welcome Back Lunch to our Career Fair, we are always lucky to host some of the industry's brightest here at Auburn. As we reflect on these moments, we’re excited to share highlights and express gratitude to everyone who participated in making them unforgettable.

Our semester kicked off with our Welcome Back Lunch sponsored by United Aviate. United's pathway program, which we have been a partner for over two years, was able to provide this experience to our new and returning students on their first Friday of the semester. With recruiters and alumni pilots, they were able to start the semester off with a strong presence on campus, and we are so grateful they were able to provide this opportunity!

Our semester continued with our annual alumni tailgate for the Auburn Homecoming Game. This year, the event was hosted by Alpha Eta Rho. They provided food and fundraised to send members to the upcoming national Alpha Eta Rho conference. The following week saw our Career Fair, where we were able to welcome over 50 professionals from within the industry to connect with our students. We want to extend a very big thank you to all of those who were able to attend both of these events!

October saw the Girls in Aviation Day at the Auburn Airport. This event, hosted by Women in Aviation, is our collegiate chapter's biggest outreach event of the year. Welcoming hundreds of kids from the Auburn-Opelika area, it is a predominant event that sparks the aviation bug in so many that call Auburn home. We had industry representatives from Delta Propel and Envoy Air attend this year, as well as numerous general aviation aircraft fly into the Auburn Airport. Full Throttle was able to perform a fly-over for the event, truly making the day unforgettable. Thank you to all that attended, and we can't wait to see what next year has in store!

Southern Union breaks ground at Auburn Airport

After entering into an agreement with Southern Union State Community College, Auburn Aviation is excited to have broken ground to construct a hangar to be utilized as an airframe and powerplant school. With the growing demand for aircraft mechanics, our University is excited to assist in increasing the number of aviation professionals. The newly incorporated program will benefit Southern Union’s graduates as they will be able to earn a four year degree from Auburn University while working as an aircraft technician.

For more information about the new maintenance program, click here!

School of Aviation Student Awards Recipients

Andie Pfannkuch

Faculty Award - Professional Flight

Student in the Professional Flight program with the highest cumulative unadjusted grade point average identified by the academic advisor at the end of each semester.

Colton Smith

Faculty Award - Aviation Management

Student in Aviation Management with the highest cumulative unadjusted grade point average identified by the academic advisor at the end of each semester.

Zoe Stewart

Peer Award

Nomination from student peer survey, with endorsement from a faculty member, that describes outstanding support to fellow peers.

Student Spotlight: Jason Adkins

Jason Adkins is a graduating senior in Professional Flight from Woodstock, Georgia. He has been on the Plains for the past three years, fully embracing everything the School of Aviation has to offer. Coming in with his Private Pilot's License, Jason quickly got his Instrument and Commercial (ASEL/AMEL) through the Professional Flight program. He got interested in aviation through traveling and discovery flights as a kid, and spent his high school years on the Plains visiting his older brother Blake in Professional Flight.

While at Auburn, he immersed himself in the student organizations that the School of Aviation has to offer. As the prior outreach chair for Women in Aviation, he was able to secure $6,000 in sponsorships for prior Girls in Aviation day events. Most recently, he has served as the Director for the Striped Wings Aviation Ambassadors, where he has attended numerous airshows, connected with countless alumni, and given tours to hundreds of prospective students. In the spring, Jason was recognized by the School of Aviation in recieving the Outstanding Airman award, going to the student in the Professional Flight Program with the highest evaluation of flight skills and knowledge.

While at Auburn, he secured an eight month internshp at Delta Air Lines, where he worked in their Flight Training and Standards department, as well as their Pilot Outreach department. There, he had the opportunity to pickup a new A321neo from the Airbus facility in Mobile, tour the Atlanta Chief Pilot's Office, and help deliver the Auburn Eagle from Atlanta to Philidelphia to fly in the Eagles game.

Since his freshman year, he has worked as the student marketing and communications coordinator for the School of Aviation. Here, he has helped plan outreach events for students, organize career fairs, and facilitate recruiting events for the Striped Wings Aviation Ambassadors. His most fond memories on the Plains include football games, meeting his best friends, and multi-engine training with Auburn grad Anna Kate Gruwell.

"I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities the School of Aviation has given me. I chose Auburn because I was able to get the best of both worlds when it came to college: a true collegiate experience and a world class flight program. Through this program, I was able to secure the connections and pathways that will lead me into my dream career. From attending Oshkosh to flying the Auburn plane into Sun n Fun, I could not have fathomed that this program would give me so many opportunities to represent it. Although I am sad to be graduating, I know that no matter where I go, the Auburn family will be there!"

As graduation nears, Jason is working on his Flight Instructor Certificate. He plans to stay on the Plains to flight instruct before pursuing his dream career as a Delta Air Lines pilot.

KAUO Gets A Tower

Auburn Tower began operations in August 2024 to address traffic concerns at Auburn University Regional Airport (AUO). In 2024, AUO handled over 100,000 operations, making it the busiest airport in Alabama. Currently, controllers are operating from a mobile tower previously used by FAA controllers during home football games. The airport has recently completed the FAA approval process for the permanent site, and design work is underway. Construction is expected to start in summer or early fall 2025.