Dive Brief:
- The Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology, a for-profit flight college in Florida, abruptly closed down its main campus in Fort Pierce, Florida, last week.
- According to a state notice from the college’s parent company, the campus shuttered April 15 and began layoffs totaling 40 to 50 positions. The cuts included instructors, administrators, facilities workers and more.
- Last fall, the college’s accreditor voted to withdraw accreditation following two fatal plane crashes during flight lessons in recent years, as well as anonymous complaints alleging myriad criteria violations. The college had appealed the withdrawal.
Dive Insight:
Students at Aviator College told WPTV they were notified April 9 of the impending campus closure set for nine days later. Many expressed shock and said they were out thousands of dollars they incurred for flight education at the college. In 2024-25, the cost of tuition, flight fees and housing at Aviator College ran over $68,000 for its one-year commercial pilot program and over $115,000 for its two-year aviation associate degree.
In an emailed statement Tuesday, the college said it is working with “several schools” to find options for students to continue their studies. Its home office plans to stay open through May 15, and staff will be available to answer questions from students and parents. It also said it will provide refunds to students with account balances.
The college had just under 260 students in fall 2024, according to federal data…