Ed St. Antoine is Eastern Michigan University’s Eagle Flight Centre’s new chief flight instructor.
Tom Trumbull, president of the center, said the FAA God Seal instructor has qualities a good flight instructor should possess, such as passion for aviation and teaching.
“Ed has shown a true desire to make a difference at our organization and with our students,” Trumbull said in a statement. “He has a way of infusing confidence in our students, which is something that all good pilots need.”
St. Antoine had worked as the assistant chief flight instructor for the past three of his six years with the Eagle Flight Centre.
He said learning about the Aviation Flight Technology Program inspired him to become a pilot. He earned a bachelors of science in aviation flight technology at EMU in 2011.
St. Antoine is now in the masters of aeronautical science program with a specialization in unmanned aerospace systems. He plans to complete the degree in April 2016.
“I think achieving something big, like becoming a pilot, helps students build a level of confidence in themselves that will flow into all areas of their lives,” St. Antoine said in a statement. “I am very excited to take on this new challenge and help our students achieve their dream of becoming a pilot.”
St. Antoine is replacing Chris Sorenson, manager of training standards and safety for the company.
As the chief flight instructor, St. Antoine is responsible for maintaining a high standard of safety and training for students in the aviation program. He is now the student and instructor adviser. He will also perform stage checks, or practice rides, with students before they perform their check ride, the final ride in the flight training program.
The Eagle Flight Centre has been a partner with EMU and has conducted all ground and flight operations for EMU and Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Mich., since 2006.
EMU’s aviation program offers a bachelors of science in aviation flight technology, a bachelors of science in aviation management and a dispatch certification.
For more information on the program, visit theAviation Flight Technology website.
