Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1481988
40 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022 atrick Johnny's love for flying has taken him to different heights in his life. The 30-year-old is currently a senior enrolled at Middle Georgia State University's (MGA) School of Aviation, where he's pursuing a degree in aviation management with a focus in flying dual wing aircraft and helicopters. His love for aircraft and flying began long before his freshman year at MGA, though. After graduating high school, Johnny joined the U.S. Army. He was a 15R, AH-64 Apache attack helicopter repairer, in charge of preparing aircraft for inspections and maintenance checks. "For some operations, we jumped out of airplanes and helicopters," Johnny said. "So, I decided, 'Hey, I want to start flying.'" Johnny was in the military for eight years. He served in Iraq for nine months of that time before moving to New York. He stayed there long enough to find a school with an aviation program that would help him make his dream of becoming a pilot a reality. "I had a friend who was attending MGA and told me to consider it," Johnny said. "When I compiled a list of flight schools across the country, Middle Georgia State was the best fit." He moved to the state where aviation is the second largest and fastest-growing industry, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Plus, he got accepted to one of nine schools in the country that offers three FAA- certified programs: Maintenance Training, Flight Training, and Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative. MGA is the most affordable of the nine. "Our School of Aviation in Eastman is one of the top flight schools in the country, and most people don't even know about it," said School of Aviation Dean Adon Clark. MGA helps students prepare to work for large agencies including Robins Airforce Base, Delta, Gulfstream, Embraer, and MHIRJ. About 80% of graduates get jobs and live within 100 miles of Central Georgia. MGA's School of Aviation Campus in Eastman boasts a state-of-the-art facility, where students learn about maintenance, flight, air traffic control, and management and get the opportunity to live together. "Eastman is home to the large majority of more than 50 aircraft and our very impressive student body," Clark said. "Our P