Flexjet and Purdue University’s Center for Research and Education in Advanced Technology Ecosystems (Create) are developing AeroSphere for Business Aviation, an ecosystem where learning, working, and innovation converge. The goal of AeroSphere is to create an environment for students and aviation professionals to learn from the real-world experiences and challenges faced by global aviation companies such as Flexjet.
“There are three distinguishing features of AeroSphere,” said Manoj Patankar, director of Create. “It is built on the new Part 147 requirements, it matches the best of on-the-job training and online learning, and it is competency-based.”
AeroSphere Purdue is assisting Flexjet in redesigning the company’s professional development and educational programs for its apprenticeship program, as well as advanced continuing education for its licensed maintenance technicians. Flexjet’s apprentice program takes candidates who have been vetted for aptitude and company culture from zero experience to licensed A&P aviation technicians in just over two years.
Apprentices earn full-time wages while training and graduate with a job offer from Flexjet. The company employs more than 1,300 workers in its global maintenance and product support division.
Kevin Dillon, a Purdue alumni and a senior Flexjet executive overseeing global maintenance facilities, said, “We wanted to align the best academic university in the world for aviation and aerospace technology with the best global business jet operator and create a new approach to professional development.”