LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University is a Christian university in Longview, Texas. It describes itself as nondenominational. Its College of Aviation and Aeronautical Science is, according to the site, the only comprehensive, university-level aviation program in Texas.

The aviation program began in 1956 as on the job training at the aviation business of founder R.G. LeTourneau. The university traces its roots to LeTourneau Technical Institute, founded in 1946. It became a co-educational college in 1961 and a university in 1989.

Programs cover flight, aviation management, aircraft maintenance, dispatch, unmanned aircraft systems and mission aviation training. The site says all training, labs and classes are taught by university instructors and faculty, with no part subcontracted to third parties.

Students study at the Paul and Betty Abbott Aviation Center, which sits across the airport from where the program began. The site mentions a turbine engines lab, a drone lab and a virtual flight in one of the Piper aircraft the school flies. It says the aircraft are maintained by the university's own professional staff.

The site says the program's coursework is FAA approved for the restricted airline transport pilot certificate. It says this reduces the hours needed to serve as a first officer for an airline from 1,500 hours. It also refers to a three year average job placement rate for graduates. Graduates work as airline pilots, mission aviators, inspectors, military pilots and mechanics, according to the site.

The university is accredited by SACSCOC. The site lists an alumni industry recognition section, a dean's page and an advisory council for aviation. The main phone number is 1-903-233-3000. The main campus is at 2100 South Mobberly Avenue in Longview.