Paragon Partners to Provide Accelerated Path to Flight Degree

Integrating Paragon’s newly redesigned Professional Pilot Program (P3) curriculum will boost entrance to commercial pilot careers for students in Purdue Global’s aviation program.

Paragon Flight Training, based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida, in conjunction with Purdue University Global, West Lafayette, Indiana, have formed a new flight training partnership that will reduce the overall time and expense it takes for students in Purdue Global’s aviation program to earn their Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight.

Beginning immediately, students accepted into the Purdue Global professional flight degree program can complete their Bachelor of Science degree courses online through Purdue Global, while completing professional flight training at Paragon Flight or one of several other Purdue Global affiliates across the country. Purdue Global’s professional flight degree program is a collaboration, announced in 2019, between Purdue Global and Purdue University’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology.

Paragon Flight’s Professional Pilot Program (P3) was recently redesigned with a streamlined curriculum that improves students’ learning experience for becoming pilots. FAA-approved, the safety- and quality-focused program prepares highly qualified individuals for a well-paying career as a professional pilot at an accelerated pace.

Students conducting flight training at Paragon who complete all five flight FAA certificates/ratings – Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument  Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Flight Instructor Certificate and Multiengine rating – will receive 45 college credits from Purdue Global toward their bachelor’s degree in professional flight, equivalent to one year of college credits. Students who have college credits from previous schools may also receive additional transfer credits. In addition, through this education alliance agreement, Paragon Flight students, employees and immediate family members—including spouses, domestic partners, children, siblings and parents—will receive a 20% tuition reduction for undergraduate degrees and certificates, and a 14% reduction for graduate degrees and certificates. Students qualifying for Title IV Federal Financial Aid can apply the funding to the Purdue Global Professional Flight degree.

“As U.S. airline pilots approach the federally mandated retirement age of 65, the industry faces a drastic shortage of pilots,” Andrew Rachmell, Professional Flight Business Development Specialist at Purdue University Global, pointed out. “Reports forecast a need for more than 800,000 pilots over the next 20 years, so this partnership is designed to get students flying immediately, shortening the timeline to professional pilot in order to meet this demand—and save students money while allowing them to graduate faster.”

In addition to Purdue University Global, Paragon Flight participates in a flight training affiliate program with Liberty University, where students can earn their Bachelor of Science in Aviation online from its School of Aeronautics while completing flight training through Paragon Flight.