Ever dream you could fly? At Bridgewater, you can. If your fascination with flight is stronger than ever, BSU Aviation will help you make that dream come true.
We offer rigorous academics and excellent in-flight training in every kind of airspace – and we’re one of the most affordable programs in the country. Whether you choose to fly or pursue an on-the-ground career, your experience at BSU Aviation will set you apart.
Mike Farley has been a Bridgewater State University Aviation professor for ten years. He also graduated from the program with a double major. He has worked at seven different airports and is active in freshmen advising activities
BS, Bridgewater State College
MPA, San Diego State University
There were a few short side roads ....a managerial role with an International Corporation; R&D work at the Boeing Aircraft Company, B-767, etcetera.....but, overall, in the 25-plus years since Prof. Abers first received his Commercial Pilot's License, his time has been rather equally spent between professional flying and lecturing at the college level. The bulk of his flight time is logged under his Airline Transport Pilot rating; whereas his teaching experience ranges from a small private aviation college -where he also served administratively as Dean- to large university settings (such as The Center for Aerospace Sciences at UND). In addition to his tenure at Bridgewater State University College of Business, Professor Abers has taught Computer Technology at two other Commonwealth State Colleges and Universities. Reflecting on his eleven years of teaching, plus an equal amount of professional flying time, he has often been heard to say that the best of all his "many years" have been the last eight....at Bridgewater State.
BS, University of Illinois
MEd, University of New Hampshire
Veronica "Biz" (Bizinkauskas) Cote was bitten by the aviation bug in 1982 when she began flying as a Bridgewater State undergraduate. She quickly advanced through her certificates and ratings and began flight instruction her junior year. Veronica has over 1000 hours of dual given and trained many pilots who are now flying for the military and commercial aviation. She flew as a corporate pilot and later as a line captain and first officer for the commuter airlines during the rough and tumble years of early deregulation. She retired from the airlines and pursued her Master of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and worked as an assistant at the Center for Aviation and Aerospace Research studying aviation human factors issues. Veronica is delighted to share her love of the sky teaching the next generation of aviation professionals. Her areas of specialty are ground school courses, CFI instruction, aviation weather, airline operations, human factors, and aviation history.
BS, Bridgewater State College
MAS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, ATP, CF II
David G. Price was the former Dean of Aviation Sciences at Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire. As an enthusiastic aviation educator for nearly 20 years, David joined Bridgewater State University's program in the summer of 2010 as the Associate Dean for Aviation. David is a graduate of Daniel Webster College with a B.S. in Aviation Management as well as an MBA. Upon graduation from DWC, David worked for several years as a corporate pilot and Certified Flight Instructor before realizing that he had a true passion for teaching aviation. David hosted a television program called "Take Off" which inspired him to teach Physics and AP Physics in southern New Hampshire. David came back to college academia in 2005 where his specialty is teaching Private Pilot concepts. David is a certified Advanced Ground Instructor and was honored at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as the 2006 teacher of the Year as well as the Federal Aviation Administration's 2006 Teacher of the Year. David is the past President of the Massachusetts Aviation and Space Education Council (MASEC) as well as a founding officer of the New Hampshire Aviation and Space Education Council (NHASEC). During the summer months, David directs Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camps for the Federal Aviation Administration throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire and is an active member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). During his spare time, David can be seen performing as the Master of Ceremonies for F.I.R.S.T. robotics competitions in New England and at the world championships held each year in St. Louis.
What do you get when you cross an Air Force cartographer with an Instrument Flight Instructor? Answer: Professor Michael Sloan, a teacher who knows where he's going. In 40 years of flying, Sloan -- who trained for his initial issuance at a military airfield -- has been a renter-pilot, a member of three flying clubs, and an aircraft owner. As a CFII for 25 years, in a variety of aircraft, he has accumulated over 5,000 hours aloft. Here at Bridgewater State University, he brings to his classes, not only his extensive aeronautical experience, but insights gained from working as a Court Reporter with the NTSB, Justice Department and the SEC. Beyond regularly professing at Bridgewater, Sloan teaches FAA-approved Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics and weekend test-prep seminars. He has provided ground and test-prep instruction for the Mass DOT/Aeronautics Division and the Massachusetts State Police air wing. He is a published author whose articles have appeared in a variety of aviation-related magazines and newspapers. His latest novel, "Cone of Silence," is available online and at undiscriminating bookstores. During intersession, Sloan likes to travel dressed in shabby clothes and enjoys getting into trouble. "Find a traveling companion, " he advises, "who won't complain about you." From the accompanying photo, it's obvious he preaches what he practices.
Mike grew up in Hopkinton, MA and fell in love with flying when he was a little kid. He graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2009. Mike hopes to share his passion for flying by instructing at the Bridgewater Aviation Training Center. Mike's ultimate goal is to get a job flying a private jet for a corporate company or somebody famous.
Brian grew up in Milton and always wanted to become a pilot because his mother is a flight attendant for United Airlines and he was able to travel. He pursued his dream and went to Saint Louis University in the fall of 2006. He also worked as an instructor for six months in Saint Louis. Brian moved back to Milton in the summer of 2011 to start instructing at Bridgewater Aviation Training Center. His goal is to one day fly for FedEx.
Sarah grew up in Marietta, NY, and began flying during the fall of 2008. She earned her Private Pilot Certificate in Ithaca, NY,in 2009. After flying for a year, she attended Daniel Webster College and graduated in December 2011, majoring in aviation flight operations with a minor in aviation management. Sarah has worked at Bridgewater State University since January 2012 and hopes to fly for Southwest Airlines in the future.
Chi Ho grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Framingham in 2001. He took his first flight when he was in high school and fell in love with flying. He attended Bridgewater State University and majored in flight and aviation management, graduating in May 2011. He has been a CFI for BSU Aviation since the fall of 2011.
Eric Drugge began his career in aviation at Bridgewater State in 1986. After soloing at the Plymouth Airport in a Cessna 150, he was hooked. He earned his instructor's rating in 1989 and has been in and around aviation for more than 25 years. Life opportunities and a non-flying career took him south to Florida and South Carolina, but the simple enjoyment of teaching and a desire to live on the Cape has drawn him back here to Bridgewater to teach fulltime.
Sean Fitzgerald has loved aviation since he was 3 years old. His grandfather was an airline pilot which always intrigued him. In 2004, he enrolled at Bridgewater State College for Aviation Science with a concentration in flight training. He completed most of his flight training with Delta Connection Academy. Sean graduated from Bridgewater in 2008 and was a flight instructor in Mansfield for three years. In 2011, he was hired by Cape Air as a pilot and flew all over New England and the Caribbean. He returned to Bridgewater State University in 2012 to work as a flight instructor, bringing his airline and prior CFI experience.
Jim grew up in Gardner and graduated from Bridgewater's State University's aviation program with a CFII. He works part-time at the Training Center and is a full-time pilot for Cape Air. He aspires to do high-level/airline training and to become a pilot examiner.
Patrick is from Gardner and became part of Bridgewater State University Aviation in the fall of 2005 when he began private pilot training. While attending Bridgewater, he became a member of Bridgewater's Chapter of Alpha Eta Rho (International Professional Aviation Fraternity) and was its president for the 2008-2009 academic year. He graduated from Bridgewater State University in the spring of 2009 with a major in aviation science - flight concentration and a minor in management. He continued his education at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the fall of 2009 to pursue a Masters in Business Administration. Patrick aspires to become senior management for an airline and still find enough time to keep flying as a hobby.
Dave grew up in Eldersburg, MD and has dreamed of flying since he was a child. He pursued his dreams and attended Daniel Webster College in 2008. He joined Bridgewater State University Aviation in 2012 and hopes to help others pursue their dreams of flying. Dave is a diehard Baltimore sports fan. His goal is to one day fly for Southwest Airlines.
Mike has been flight instructing for Bridgewater State University Aviation since February 2009. A graduate of Bridgewater Aviation, he has been an enlisted member of the United States Air Force since 2004. Originally from Lake Charles, LA, Mike came to the Boston area in 2005.
Chris has spent his entire life around aviation. A third-generation pilot, he could not escape the flying bug. Chris has experience from working as a lineman for General Aviation FBO to being a customer service performance supervisor for Delta Airlines. In 2009, he graduated from Daniel Webster College with a Bachelor of Aviation Science degree and a minor in business management. In June 2012, he joined the Bridgewater Aviation team as a Certified Flight Instructor. He is passionate about aviation and shares that passion with his students. His goal is to use his skill to benefit society whether it be carrying passengers for the airlines or for corporate travel.
Bill has spent his life as a professional engineer, but has always also wanted to fly. As early as age 2, he can be seen in the old Boston-based Record Evening American newspaper holding an airplane and talking about flying. He holds Commercial Pilot Certificate, Airplane Instrument Rating and is a Certified Flight Instructor. He loves teaching and plans to fly until he can't fly any longer.
Alex had dreamt of flying since childhood and after attending EAA Air venture at Oshkosh, WI, he decided to pursue that dream. He is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronoutical University (Prescott, AZ campus) with a Bachelor in Aeronautical Science and a computer science minor. As a CFI, he enjoys teaching people to fly and sharing their passion for aviation. His future plans include earning an ATP certificate and flying airplanes with jet engines. As someone who has proudly worked for Federal Express, he wants one day to be a Captain of a FedEx jet. Alex would also like to fly relief and supply missions.
James grew up in Branford, CT, with dreams of flying. He attended college for Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut, but tranferred to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2007 where he double-majored in aerospace studies and aeronautics with minors in business administration, unmanned aerial systems, air traffic control and flight. James started instructing at Bridgewater Aviation in January 2012 and would like to become an air traffic controller at Boston's Logan Airport.
Steve is a Bridgewater Aviation graduate, joining the Bridgewater State University CFI staff in 2008. His two biggest passions in life are flying and baseball, calling himself a Baltimore Orioles fan by heart and a Red Sox fan by location. He started flying here at Bridgewater with a memorable anniversary date of Sept. 11th, 2003, and has been working hard ever since. Future aviation plans include flying his dream airplane the Gulfstream 200 for NetJets, and spending as much time as he can with his family (his 3 year old son Xavier and wife Amanda) when he's not in an airplane. Steve recently got married in July 2010.
Greg joined Bridgewater State University Aviation in September of 2008 as the Aviation Program Manager. He is also a graduate of the Bridgewater Aviation Program. For the last 17 years Greg has flown for numerous part 135 air charter operations and served as Line Captain, Training Captain and Line Check Airman for a large part 121 regional airline. Greg still maintains his proficiency as a professional corporate pilot for a fortune 20 company flight department. Additional duties include management of the IS-BAO Stage III certification. At Bridgewater Aviation Greg is involved with domestic and international aviation industry relations, professional development, marketing, recruiting, technical advisor and internship development. Greg also serves as Safety Officer and as the Assistant Chief Pilot for Bridgewater's FAA approved 141 flight school.
Bill Heerman has been with Bridgewater State University Aviation for 19 years. He oversees the day to day simulator/AATD operations located at the Aviation Training Center in New Bedford. Bill also teaches the CFII and Multi Engine ground course on campus.
Loren earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration before changing careers to follow his passion for aviation. He has been Bridgewater State University Aviation's Chief Instructor since the Part 141 program was certified in 2008, and is active with the FAA Safety Team conducting presentations and assisting with the general aviation awards program. He is currently working to build the relationship between Bridgewater Aviation and the Civil Air Patrol, and to develop outreach programs with local, regional and state high schools.
Margie has worked at the Aviation Training Center since September 2008. She previously worked as a Social Worker for the Head Start Preschool Program. Prior to that she worked as a Marketing Information Administrator at the Commonwealth Electric Company (now NSTAR). She earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Emmanuel College.
Rachel grew up in Lebanon, CT and has had a passion for aviation for as long as she can remember. She began flight training out of Hartford/Brainard Airport in January of 2006 and received her private pilot certificate in August 2006. She attended Daniel Webster College in Nashua, NH and graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Aviation/Air Traffic Management. While in College, Rachel was a member and captain of the Division III NCAA Women's Soccer Team. Rachel is also a huge Boston Bruins and Red Sox fan. Eventually, Rachel will become an Air Traffic Controller for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Lisa is a long time resident of the Bridgewater State University community and is familiar with college policies and procedures. She has been part of the Bridgewater family since she officially began working for the college in 1992, then later joined the aviation science department in 2001. Enthusiastic, energetic, she aims to please, if you have any problems or questions do not hesitate to contact her. "Dream lofty dreams...future aviators".
The department offers a BS degree in Aviation Science with a concentration in aviation management or flight training. We combine a liberal arts education with hands-on flight training that prepares students to fly in any kind of weather and over mountains, open water, urban areas and more. Our program has been active for more than 30 years, and our faculty represent more than a century of combined experience.
As the demand grows for experienced pilots and aviation managers, our aviation graduates pursue careers in the air and on the ground at major carriers and airports throughout the nation – as pilots, managers and other staff members, flight planners, systems engineers, flight instructors, and air traffic controllers.
