Fit Aviation LLC

Information may not be reliable

Established in 1968, we are a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida Institute of Technology and as an integral part of the College of Aeronautics, we support the aviation program through our flight training activities.
Our motto is “Succeed Above and Beyond”. Using the latest in FAA publications for guidance and a very diverse fleet of 34 aircraft, we provide our students with the best in aviation education from Private Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot, and Flight Instructor Airplane, Instrument, Multi-engine. In addition we offer unique courses such as Conventional gear, basic Aerobatic, Complex Instrument, Advanced Cockpit, and Air Taxi.

Florida Tech and FIT Aviation are a proud participant in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program. For more information about how to apply for benefits, visit the Yellow Ribbon webpage on the Florida Tech website by clicking here.

FIT Aviation Decides to Temporarily Suspend Flight Operations to Give Personnel More Time to Grieve

MELBOURNE, FLA.—After consultation with NTSB officials, Florida Institute of Technology’s FIT Aviation has determined that flight operations will be suspended, effective immediately. The decision comes in concurrence with the suggestion of the NTSB, which is leading an ongoing investigation into last week’s fatal crash of a training flight. NTSB officials made their suggestion late today in order to give flight instructors and students additional time to grieve in the wake of the tragedy. Counseling services have been available to students and instructors since the accident occurred, but additional counseling opportunities will be provided beginning tomorrow. Flight operations will be suspended until at least next week as personnel are given additional time to work through their grief.

Share your memories, thoughts, photos and comments of Jordyn, Jenny, Kyle and Kris on the memorial website: http://memorial.fitaviation.com/.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology is mourning the loss of four people killed in a routine training flight that crashed on take-off from Palm Beach International Airport at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. The Piper Seminole aircraft was en route back to Melbourne from the Bahamas as part of a training exercise. Four individuals were aboard the aircraft—two currently enrolled students, the flight instructor and one other passenger. Those killed in the crash:

· Kristopher Joy Henegar, Florida Tech flight student; Memphis, Tenn.; age 22; due to graduate from Florida Tech College of Aeronautics in December

· Dheni “Jenny” Teresa Frembling, FIT Aviation employee and instructor on the aircraft; Melbourne, Fla.; age 26; also a Florida Tech alumna, class of 2006

· Jordyn Leigh Agostini, Florida Tech student and FIT Aviation flight instructor; Broomall, Penn.; age 21; due to graduate from Florida Tech College of Aeronautics in December
The fourth person died later at the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash:

· Kyle Henegar, passenger, brother of the flight student and a Florida Tech alumnus, class of 2008; Palm Bay, Fla.; age 26; Florida Tech Informational Technology employee
Florida Tech has set up grief counseling services for students and employees who wish to utilize them. Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil is planned for Panther Plaza on the Melbourne campus of Florida Tech at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. “Words do not do justice to the loss we are all feeling at this time,” said Anthony J. Catanese, Florida Tech President. “As a university community, we are coming together to support each other. We continue to reach out to the friends and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy.”

- Thanksgiving: FITA Closes at 4:00pm on Wednesday, Nov 24 and will have scaled back hours from Friday, Nov 26 to Sunday, Nov 28. Normal operations will resume Monday, Nov 29.
- Christmas: FITA Closes at 4:00pm on Friday, Dec 24 until Sunday, Dec 26. Scaled back hours from Monday, Dec 27 to Friday, Dec 31 at 4pm.
- New Years: FITA Closes at 4:00pm on Friday, Dec 31 until Sunday, Jan 2. Normal Operations resume Monday, Jan 3

FIT Aviation was featured in the November issue of Plane & Pilot Magazine (http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/). Read the article by clicking here.

FIT Aviation will hold it's Second Annual Boy and Girl Scouts of America Aviation Merit Badge on Saturday, December 4.

A complete half day of activities to complete the requirements for the Aviation Interest Badge/Project at the Melbourne International Airport. Open to all Troups, Cadettes, Seniors, Patrols , Ambassadors and individual Scouts.

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Michael Gaffney, director of FIT Aviation LLC, Florida Institute of Technology’s aviation training arm, recently renewed two key aeronautics-related accreditations.His credentials as a Master Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) and a Master Ground Instructor (MGI) were renewed by the Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation as well as the FAA-approved Master Instructor Program. He first earned the Master CFI, a national professional accreditation, in 2005 and has held it continuously since then. He is one of only 53 people worldwide to earn the credential four times. Read More...

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology aviation students will soon be “flying high” inside new, state of the art flight simulation equipment. The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust is granting the university $670,000 to fund two Seminole Level 5 Flight Training Devices. Manufactured by Frasca International, Inc. in Urbana, Ill., the cost of each device—which simulates what it’s like to be in a cockpit—is $335,000, delivered and assembled. Read More...

Congratulations to Michael Grant for receiving the Certified Flight Instructor of the Year Award for the Southeast Region! Read More...

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., and Bristow Academy Inc. in Titusville, Fla., a division of Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE:BRS), today announced a strategic partnership to offer a combined program of university aviation education and helicopter flight training beginning Fall Semester 2010. Read More...