Records of the Institute of Aviation, 2011-2016

The Institute of Aviation was founded at the University of Illinois in 1946. It was the first aviation school in the US to be certified by the FAA to conduct all tests leading to the issuance of civilian pilot certificates. In September 2013, the university entered an agreement to transfer ownership to Parkland College for continued flight training. Leasing the university’s aircraft and facilities at Willard Airport, the Institute officially opened for the Fall 2014 academic semester. Planning for the Aviation Program began in 2011. The first chief pilot of the program was Sybil Phillips, 2014-2018; then Don Tauler, 2018-2020. Jon Moore became Chief Instructor in October, 2020 and Director of the Institute of Aviation in January, 2021.