On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Farmingdale State College (FSC) President Robert S. Prezant, PhD, hosted State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King, Jr. for a special campus tour of the College’s esteemed Engineering Technology and Aviation Departments. Attendees also included SUNY Board Trustee Stanley Litow, New York State Senators Monica Martinez and Siela Bynoe, New York State Assemblymembers Kwani O’Pharrow and Clyde Vanel (FSC Class of 1997), New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, as well as SUNY officials and FSC faculty, staff, and students. 

“It’s amazing to be back here as a former student,” said Assemblyman Vanel. “You continue to develop excellence here and it’s rewarding to see what you provide to our state and to our country.”

FSC is the largest collegiate flight school in the Northeast, and the only public four-year Professional Pilot Degree Program in New York State. The College’s Professional Pilot and Aviation Administration Programs provide students with technical skills and industry knowledge necessary to pursue careers across the aviation industry and strengthen the aeronautical workforce.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for airline and commercial pilots alone is projected to grow 7 percent from last year’s base to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

“With outstanding equipment, expert faculty and staff, and exceptional post-graduate employment rates, Farmingdale State College’s aviation program prepares the next generation of pilots, air traffic controllers, and administrators at a time when the industry needs them most,” said President Prezant. “Aviation at Farmingdale State truly distinguishes SUNY as a leader in aeronautics on Long Island, within New York State, and across the country, and we are always pleased to showcase this important program."

The morning visit began in Lupton Hall to view FSC’s extensive Manufacturing Engineering Technology Lab and its leading edge Air Traffic Control Lab, where the Chancellor greeted students for a brief chat about the program.

The tour continued less than two miles from the main campus at the College’s renowned Aviation Flight Center, a 22,000 square foot aerospace facility where visitors got a first-hand look at the dispatch center, busy tarmac, and state-of-the-art flight simulator room. The event concluded with a roundtable discussion in the main hanger.

"Farmingdale State College exemplifies SUNY's commitment to bolstering student success and upward mobility, while filling critical workforce needs," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The Aviation Flight Center is a vital resource for the region, offering pathways for the next generation of pilots, instructors, and aviation administrators to achieve their dreams."

"Farmingdale State College's Aviation Flight Center remains a cornerstone of the regional economy by providing academic excellence and a unique and incredibly valuable higher education to SUNY students,” said SUNY Board Trustee Stanley S. Litow. “As the largest collegiate flight school in the Northeast, they are bridging gaps in one of New York State's most vital areas in the workforce.”

“Farmingdale State College is where great careers in aviation take flight. Upgrading the tools these students use for hands-on training will help prepare them to work with the cutting-edge technology they will encounter in the cockpit," said Senator Martinez. "I thank SUNY and Farmingdale State College for making this investment in the next generation of pilots who will command the skies.”

"The Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College was instrumental in educating my sister on her journey to becoming a pilot for one of the largest airlines in the country,” Senator Bynoe said. “Through my sister's experience, I witnessed the power of having an affordable, high-caliber training institution right here on Long Island. As such, I am pleased to learn of the upcoming equipment upgrades and fleet additions which will further enhance the Center's educational programming. I look forward to seeing more of our Long Island youth become trained as pilots in an affordable public education system, ultimately preparing them to serve our nation in the airline industry."

“Farmingdale State College continues to lead in aviation education and workforce development, providing students with the hands-on training and technical skills needed to succeed in a growing industry,” Assemblymember O’Pharrow said. “As the largest collegiate flight school in the Northeast and the only public four-year professional pilot degree program in New York State, Farmingdale is preparing the next generation of aviation professionals right here on Long Island. Investment in the Aviation Flight Center and its aircraft fleet is an investment in our students, our workforce, and the future of aviation in New York State.”

With more than 5,800 flight hours a year in solo and dual flight instruction, FSC has continued to invest in student success and infrastructure for the aviation program by recently upgrading all aircraft in the fleet to industry standard Garmin G1000 and G3X displays and adding five new Piper Archer aircrafts in October 2026 to bring the fleet total to 23. 

The college's aviation program has garnered an impressive track record including:

• 12,145 total flight hours
• 6,628 total flights
• 6,537 hours of ground instruction
• 2,318 hours of simulator training
• 21,450 total landings 
• 1,550 landings at night
• 61 first solos 
• 107 pilot certificates and/or ratings issued

Student Perspectives
“It was amazing to be here today,” said Shivansh Mehra, ’27, a student in the Professional Pilot Program. “Talking about aviation is what I love to do the most. It's a pleasure to do that. And It’s important to promote our Aviation Department. It's such a great program to be a part of, to initiate or complete your training, and get your start in the aviation industry.”

“My previous background was actually IT,” shared Joseph Fortunato, ’27, an aviation administration major studying air traffic management. “So, I didn't have a lot information on the field. But FSC’s program and instructors have been great and I’m looking forward to becoming a dispatcher.” 

“It's definitely cool to be here today,” said Ella Bloom, ’27, an aviation administration major studying airport management and founder of FSC’s Women in Aviation Club. “It’s great to see how much SUNY cares about its students. Discussions like this help grow our programs, which helps build our community and keeps it running.”

View photos from Chancellor King’s FSC visit on our Flickr Gallery.

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