The Kent State aeronautics program received a total of $1.38 million worth of software with the latest donation from Computer Presentations and Training Inc.

This most recent donation of Aircraft Systems courseware is designed for the EMB-145 Regional Jet and, along with the other software packages, is being used in Aircraft Systems 1, 2 and 3.

“This software is the exact same software that’s used by the airlines to train their pilots,” aeronautics professor Edward Overchuk said. “It allows pilots to be trained at home so they don’t have to spend as much time in the classroom.”

The courseware provides students with Web and computer-based learning. Overchuk said the programs give students the same training as the airlines and helps prepare them for training in the Continental Express Bridge Program.

“All the students have access to it,” Overchuk said. “The nice thing about the CPaT program is they can access it from their desktops and laptops at home or wireless here at Kent. That’s the really nice thing. They don’t have to be in the classroom. So let’s say they miss a class, and they’re covering hydraulics or pneumatics during that class period. They can go online, review all the material and go almost through the lecture.”

John DeCola, director of institutional advancement in the College of Technology, said Kent State has been working with CPaT for five years, and both parties have benefited from the relationship.

“The College of Technology continues to seek out partners in both industry and commercial societies to work toward our mutual benefit,” DeCola said. “This is yet another alliance that furthers the goals of both institutions. In this day and age, we must take advantage of all the synergies and cooperative efforts available to us to more efficiently educate our students and benefit the workplace at the same time.”

CPaT is a Houston-based company that provides computer-based training for the aviation industry. CPaT first donated software to Kent State in 2004 and has continued making donations. CPaT has provided Kent State’s aeronautics program with Aircraft Systems courseware for A-320, B-737 Classic, B-737NG, B-757, B-767, MD-08, EMB-145 and a program on Extended Twin Operations.

Contact College of Technology reporter Adam McParlane at [email protected].