Henderson State Aviation receives check flight authorization

Cody Unruh, assistant chief flight instructor, left, and Jordan Dennis, chief flight instructor, will conduct the check flights and issue certificates.

Henderson State University's Department of Aviation has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to handle check flights for private, instrument, and commercial pilot certifications upon successful completion of flight training.

"As a result, we will be able to conduct evaluations in-house, significantly expediting the pilot training process by eliminating the wait times typically associated with external evaluations," Jordan Dennis, chief flight instructor, said.

As a four-year university operating under a Part 141 flight school, Henderson already offers an expedited career path for students seeking careers as commercial airline pilots. Students earning a bachelor's degree in aviation at Henderson and accomplishing additional post-degree certification as flight instructors can transition to employment with commercial airlines by completing 1,000 flight hours, versus 1,500 hours for student-pilots in non-Part 141 flight schools. The FAA check flight authorization further streamlines this process.

Rich Wyman, director of aviation, said Henderson had previously relied on scheduling the required check flights with designated off-site pilot examiners. Dennis and assistant chief flight instructor Cody Unruh will conduct the check flights and issue certificates. Dennis said he expects to conduct about 20 check flights each semester.

Henderson offers associate and bachelor's degrees in aviation as well as a Master of Business Administration degree with an aviation management focus. Additionally, the newly launched Arkansas Aviation Academy at Henderson State provides commercial multi-engine licensure for non-degree seeking pilots.

The Arkansas Aviation Academy at Henderson State offers three classes specifically geared for non-degree seeking pilots. These include a commercial multi-engine add-on course, a tailwheel course, and a CFI spin-training course.

​​Henderson State aviation is growing with 129 students enrolled for Fall 2025 - the highest enrollment since Fall 2022. Henderson added two planes to its fleet this summer and employs 14 certified flight instructors.

For information, please visit hsu.edu/aviation.