FIT Aviation Showcases Airplanes, Celebrates Alumni at Sun ‘n Fun
One of 500 Groups at the Annual Expo in Lakeland
MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech and FIT Aviation enjoyed a sunny week at one of the world’s largest annual aviation events, the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland.
FIT Aviation was one of more than 500 groups from around the world with a booth at the expo’s 50th anniversary gathering. For six days, the public, alumni and prospective students stopped by to learn about the program and the university.
“Our main goal here is awareness,” said Shayne Inniss (’16, ’19 MSA), assistant chief flight instructor at FIT Aviation. “Just getting our name and brand out there.”
At 5 years old, Inniss knew he wanted to be a pilot. He achieved that after attending Florida Tech. “My favorite part about flying,” he said, “is looking down on the Earth from above.”
At Sun ‘n Fun, Inniss promoted the program’s benefits while sharing the thrill of flight with potential students.
“It’s cool to see everyone get excited and say, ‘I could actually graduate Florida Tech with [flight] hours to go off to the airlines…’” Inniss paused as a jet roared overhead. “That always gets their blood pumping, that sound. It wakes people up.”
The thrill at Florida Tech’s booth extended beyond airplanes. Larsen Motorsports’ jet dragster was also on display, with company co-founder and world champion driver Elaine Larsen sharing information about STEM careers in motorsports.
Florida Tech graduates were invited to stop by the booth for Alumni Day at the end of the week. The university greeted graduates with swag, snacks and a shaded place to escape the sun. Each alum also had a chance to sign their name on a banner celebrating the Florida Tech community.
FIT Aviation offers undergraduate aeronautics degree programs with flight options. Program graduates work in nearly every airline as well as in airports, training centers, safety agencies and aviation companies worldwide. At Florida Tech, students are exposed to an all-Piper fleet composed of Warriors, Archers and Seminoles. Flight simulators are integrated into all phases of the flight training program.
