Hopkinsville firefighter first to take solo flight in Austin Peay’s new aviation science program

Early Monday morning, Ryan Erb sat behind the controls of an Austin Peay Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter at the Clarksville Regional Airport and eased the craft off the ground. In doing so, the Hopkinsville, Kentucky, firefighter became the first student to fly solo in Austin Peay State University’s new aviation science program, which launched last year as the state’s first helicopter flight school that awards bachelor’s degrees. The program’s director, Charles W. Weigandt, announced the news in an email to APSU President Alisa White: “Today marked a major milestone for the APSU aviation program. Mr. Ryan Erb completed his first solo flight.” Other students in Erb’s class – Rotor-Wing Private Pilot Lab I – will take their solo flights soon, accumulating 18 hours of flight during the class. By the time they earn their bachelor’s degrees, they’ll have had more than 165 hours in flight. Erb discussed the program and what it’s meant to him during a recent interview. “It’s been challenging,” he said. “There’s definitely nothing easy about trying to fly a helicopter. I’ve always been told there’s no such thing as a natural-born helicopter pilot. “I’ve learned a lot,” he added. “And there’s a lot to learn.” In Weigandt’s email to the president, he said, “I congratulate Mr. Erb and his instructor, Mr. Donald Stanton, for their hard work leading to this momentous accomplishment.” The next flight lab for the students will come this fall when they get 19 ½ hours of flight time, including 4 ½ hours flying solo. With the bachelor’s degree, students can pursue careers including flight instruction, aerial tourism and charter operations. “I feel like a lot of people still in the military are looking for this kind of avenue,” said Erb’s classmate, Kristina Fish. “And I think it would benefit a lot of people to just know that this is a huge, awesome resource that they can use right here, and they can start doing it while they’re still in the military.” To learn more For more about aviation science at Austin Peay, go to https://www.apsu.edu/engineering-technology/aviation-science.php.

Ryan Erb takes his first solo flight.

(Posted June 22, 2020)

Early Monday morning, Ryan Erb sat behind the controls of an Austin Peay Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter at the Clarksville Regional Airport and eased the craft off the ground.

In doing so, the Hopkinsville, Kentucky, firefighter became the first student to fly solo in Austin Peay State University’s new aviation science program, which launched last year as the state’s first helicopter flight school that awards bachelor’s degrees.

The program’s director, Charles W. Weigandt, announced the news in an email to APSU President Alisa White: “Today marked a major milestone for the APSU aviation program. Mr. Ryan Erb completed his first solo flight.”

Other students in Erb’s class – Rotor-Wing Private Pilot Lab I – will take their solo flights soon, accumulating 18 hours of flight during the class. By the time they earn their bachelor’s degrees, they’ll have had more than 165 hours in flight.

Ryan Erb, left, and instructor Donald Stanton smile after Erb’s first solo flight.

Erb discussed the program and what it’s meant to him during a recent interview.

“It’s been challenging,” he said. “There’s definitely nothing easy about trying to fly a helicopter. I’ve always been told there’s no such thing as a natural-born helicopter pilot.

“I’ve learned a lot,” he added. “And there’s a lot to learn.”

In Weigandt’s email to the president, he said, “I congratulate Mr. Erb and his instructor, Mr. Donald Stanton, for their hard work leading to this momentous accomplishment.”

The next flight lab for the students will come this fall when they get 19 ½ hours of flight time, including 4 ½ hours flying solo.

With the bachelor’s degree, students can pursue careers including flight instruction, aerial tourism and charter operations.

“I feel like a lot of people still in the military are looking for this kind of avenue,” said Erb’s classmate, Kristina Fish. “And I think it would benefit a lot of people to just know that this is a huge, awesome resource that they can use right here, and they can start doing it while they’re still in the military.”

To learn more

For more about aviation science at Austin Peay, go to https://www.apsu.edu/engineering-technology/aviation-science.php.

News Feed

View All News

In the News: Gipson’s sideline attire honors Clarksville’s military community

In the News: Gipson's sideline attire honors our military community

National college basketball outlet Mid-Major Madness recently spotlighted Austin Peay State University men's basketball head coach Corey Gipson and the deeper meaning behind his signature sideline military uniform.

Montgomery County Juvenile Court, Austin Peay State University launch 20/10 Scholarship Program

Montgomery County Juvenile Court and Austin Peay State University have launched a scholarship initiative for graduates of the 20/10 Mentorship Program, with 26 initial donors pledging more than $110,000 to fund four endowed scholarships for justice-involved youth pursuing higher education.

'Spark' to showcase APSU Art + Design faculty's work Aug. 25-Oct. 2

The Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will display Spark: Faculty Triennial Exhibition 2026 from Aug. 25 through Oct. 2 in The New Gallery, featuring work from 27 faculty artists alongside a series of gallery talks and a documentary screening.