MTSU Aerospace lands again at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh to network, showcase ‘great flight program’ [+VIDEOS]

OSHKOSH, Wis. — True Blue returned to Wisconsin’s EAA AirVenture this week, as students and faculty from Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Aerospace are taking part in the weeklong event best known as the world’s largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts.

Provost Mark Byrnes and Greg Van Patten, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, led a team of students and flight instructors to the EAA grounds in Oshkosh, greeting and meeting a steady stream of alumni, prospective students and aviation industry leaders.

Dr. Greg Van Patten, professor, Chemistry; dean, CBAS — Dr. Greg Van Patten

“We have one of the leading collegiate aviation programs in the nation,” Byrnes said in an interview with Oshkosh Live, a livestreamed TV show produced by Flying Magazine. “So, we want to have a big presence at EAA … primarily to give our students, flight instructors and faculty a chance to interact with people from around the world in aviation.”

The 72^nd AirVenture is projected to attract almost 700,000 people from about 100 countries and 10,000-plus aircraft during its July 21-27 run. It was described by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as “essentially flight’s Disney World, featuring the pomp and spectacle of the aeronautics industry from flight cars to fighter jets and flight simulations.”

Visitors stop by the Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department’s exhibition booth set up at the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. MTSU sent a delegation of students, faculty and staff to network and tout its flight program at the event, known as “the world’s largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts.” (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

MTSU was set to host an alumni BBQ on Wednesday, July 23, from its tent located behind the air traffic control tower at Wittman Regional Airport, which becomes the busiest in the world for the week of AirVenture.

The team also huddled with several of MTSU’s aviation partners and vendors, including Diamond Aircraft, which made the 38 DA-40 aircraft that make up the bulk of MTSU’s training fleet. They also connected with Piper and Cirrus aircraft companies, whose planes are also flown by MTSU.

Byrnes and Van Patten also sat down with leaders with Delta and Southwest, both of whom have flight training partnerships with MTSU Aerospace. MTSU students selected for Delta Propel or Southwest Destination 225 have fast tracks to jobs at the national air carriers upon graduation.

Part of the delegation representing the Aerospace Department of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., visit the pilot shop of Piper Aircraft during the university’s attendance at the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis., known as “the world’s largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts.” (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, national commander of Civil Air Patrol, the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, also gave Van Patten a tour of CAP’s National Blue Beret activity at EAA AirVenture. CAP, which has partnered with MTSU since 2014, provides cadets and adult members to assist EAA ground operations during the weeklong event.

“Coming to EAA has become an important event for our Aerospace Department each year,” Van Patten said. “I love seeing our students interacting with representatives from major aviation companies and successful professionals across the industry and around the world.”

Jonathan Quinby, an Aerospace Pro Pilot junior, and recent alumna and current flight instructor Hailey Harrison, were also showcased on two broadcasts of Oshkosh Live. Quinby took Oshkosh Live viewers on a tour of the MTSU tent and a DA-40 training aircraft flown up for AirVenture to display, while Harrison joined Byrnes at the anchor desk to chat about the Aerospace program.

You can watch a video of Quinby at the MTSU EAA Tent here.

Jonathan Quinby, left, a junior Aerospace Pro Pilot at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., takes viewers of the Oshkosh Live livestreamed TV show on a tour of one of the university’s Diamond DA-40 training aircraft flown up to display at the 72nd EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. Quinby was part of an MTSU delegation of students, faculty and staff that attended the July 21-27 event known as “the world’s largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts.” Next to Quinby is Oshkosh Live host Shawn Bean. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Mark Byrnes, left, provost of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is joined by MTSU Aerospace Department alumna and current flight instructor Hailey Harrison, right, for a broadcast of the Oshkosh Live livestreamed TV program during the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. Interviewing them are co-hosts Teresa de Mers, center left, and Shawn Bean, center right. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Harrison, during her Oshkosh Live interview, shared her flight training journey and talked about why she picked MTSU.

“I chose MTSU because it is like in my backyard, very affordable university and very prestigious as well,” said Harrison, who graduated in May. “Really great flight program.“

You can watch Byrnes and Harrison on Oshkosh Live here.

Van Patten said he looks forward to EAA each year “to connect – and reconnect – with prospective students, our alumni, supporters and partners who make it possible to deliver a top-notch aerospace education.”

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)