Utah State University takes flight with advanced airline pilot training program
Oct 23, 2025, 6:00 AM
Students Ryan Peck (left) and Sydney Steed (right) get instruction from a volunteer graduate instructor inside a Boeing 737 simulator. (Jack Grimm/KSL TV)
(Jack Grimm/KSL TV)
LOGAN — Utah State University is soaring to new heights in aviation education, aiming to become a premier destination for training future airline pilots.
With major upgrades to its aviation program, students now have access to cutting-edge technology that simulates flying a Boeing 737, offering a hands-on experience that was previously out of reach.
For students like Sydney Steed, the thrill of flight is more than just a career goal.
“There’s no other feeling in the world. The views are amazing,” Steed said. “I just absolutely fell in love with it. The adrenaline. It’s so fun. There’s always something new to learn.”
Students Ryan Peck (left) and Sydney Steed (right) get instruction from a volunteer graduate instructor inside a Boeing 737 simulator (Jack Grimm/KSL TV)
The centerpiece of USU’s upgraded training program is a state-of-the-art flight simulator that replicates the cockpit of a Boeing 737. With 4K wraparound screens and realistic controls, students can practice takeoffs, landings, and navigation in a highly immersive environment.
Recent graduates are also stepping in as volunteer instructors, gaining valuable experience while helping current students sharpen their skills.
“There’s nothing more exciting than coming in here at five in the morning and turning that thing on and taking off out of Salt Lake as if you’re actually doing it in real life,” said volunteer instructor Ben Towery.
Graduate instructors help students learn how to use navigation instruments at Utah State University. (Jack Grimm/KSL TV)
Captain Parry “Pee Wee” Winder, USU’s Jet Training Lead Instructor and a former Delta pilot, guides students through simulated flights with precision and enthusiasm.
“I had the privilege of flying Delta for 27 years,” Winder said. “I think we’ve taken it to a level that might be unprecedented, but we believe it has real meaning and value to their undergraduate degree.”
Along with a second, less-advanced jet simulator, USU’s aviation program includes stations for instrument navigation training and an air traffic control simulator, giving students a wider view of the aviation industry.
A student learns at an air traffic control simulator at Utah State University. (Mike Anderson/KSL TV)
For Greyson Scharffs, a recent graduate and volunteer instructor, the mission is clear.
“At the end of the day, we don’t know who’s in the back necessarily. But we know it’s a family. And they have important people to them. And we want to get them from point A to B as safely as possible,” Scharffs said.
With these advancements, USU is preparing its students not just to fly, but to lead in the skies above.
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