The College of Aeronautics manages a handful of locations in the Melbourne area including the Center for Aeronautics and Innovation, Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research, and of course Skurla Hall. At each location students have access to unique facilities and equipment such as classrooms, computer labs, flight simulators, and a flight line with a fleet of over 40 aircraft.
George M. Skurla Hall
Center for Aeronautics and Innovation
Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research
George M. Skurla Hall
George M. Skurla Hall is the primary home of the College of Aeronautics. In addition to a large amount of classrooms and administrative space Skurla Hall houses some specialized labs for use by students and faculty. The Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) Lab allows aspiring pilots to use the training devices to hone their skills while students pursuing an Air Traffic Control specialization provide a realistic ATC environment for the pilots. Skurla Hall also houses the Air Traffic Control lab in which students are exposed to and trained to operate in a lifelike control tower environment.
Center for Aeronautics and Innovation
The mission of the Center for Aeronautics and Innovation (CAI) is to conduct research, studies, consultation, and technology transfer to enhance aviation education and industry progress on all aspects of airport planning, design, development, operations and management. The CAI draws upon faculty, graduate students, research staff, and industry specialists to conduct its activities. Information and technology developed by the Center is transferred to a variety of federal and state agencies, local government, industry, and academia via reports, studies, briefings, workshops, and short courses.
The CAI is also home to various labs and other university assets. Most notably the Center houses FIT Aviation's Simulator Center, the COA's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Lab, and the Office of External Relations and Economic Development.
Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research
The Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research is home to FIT Aviation including the aircraft maintenance team and hangar, pilot briefing rooms, lounge and planning areas, as well as a fleet of over 40 aircraft.
Established in 1968, F.I.T. Aviation LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida Institute of Technology and an integral part of the College of Aeronautics. FIT Aviation supports aviation programs at Florida Tech by providing for all university related flight training activities. FIT Aviation also operates a for-profit FBO at the Melbourne International Airport and provides training for a variety of customers including airlines, individuals, and more.
FIT Aviation offers 14 CFR Part 141 and Part 61 flight training through our highly standardized Federal Aviation Administration approved training syllabuses. All of our full time flight instructors possess college degrees along with Flight Instructor and Flight Instructor Instrument certifications. Our fleet consists of over 40 primarily Piper aircraft including Piper Archers, Warriors, Arrows, Seminoles, and an American Champion Citabria Aurora. Elite, RedBird, and Frasca simulators at the CAI help to enhance flight training operations.
FIT Aviation provides flight and ground instruction in all pilot ratings, from Private Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot, and Flight Instructor Airplane, Instrument, and Multi-engine. In addition, FIT Aviation offers unique courses such as Conventional Gear, Basic Aerobatics, Complex Instrument, Advanced Cockpit, and Air Taxi. All of our flight training is integrated with the ground studies provided by the College of Aeronautics.