Lively Technical College aviation program showcases student success, warns of capacity limits

Rutledge Fuller, lead aviation instructor at Lively Technical College, told the Leon County School Board on May 13 that his program produces graduates who often earn six-figure salaries shortly after finishing training. "The day they leave our program, they have—they are able to gain $90,000 a year," Fuller said.

Fuller delivered a superintendent spotlight presentation, joined by Lively Technical College principal director BJ Van Camp and two recent graduates, Simon Buboles and Jefferson Prophet. He described the program’s low tuition for Leon County students, hands-on training on aircraft including a Citation 500, a 1961 Cessna 172 and a Robinson R44, and an internal culture that keeps graduates in touch with instructors. "Aviation is, we called the best kept secret in Leon County," Fuller said.

The program’s enrollment and capacity were a focus of board questions. Fuller said the program maintains a 25-to-1 teacher-to-student ratio for safety and quality. He told the board the program can admit about 17 students in August and another 17 in December and that the program has been graduating roughly 50 to 60 students per year. Fuller said higher enrollment would be possible with additional instructors: "We could double the numbers if we had a couple more instructors," he said.

Board members and the superintendent praised the program’s outcomes and local economic potential. Fuller said graduates work across the country — he named placements in Hawaii and Alaska as examples — and urged local economic-development partners to recruit aviation employers to the region so graduates can find local work. He cited pay examples recruiters reported, including an American Airlines figure he gave as "$43.06 an hour" and said some graduates pick up extra shifts.

The spotlight also included two alumni accounts. Simon Buboles, who graduated about a year earlier, said grants covered his tuition and he quickly gained flight instruction work. Jefferson Prophet described receiving an employment offer before graduation and said he used earnings to build a home. Both alumni urged other students to consider the trade pathway.

The presentation also thanked district and county partners. Van Camp and board members noted Lively’s role at district career events and said the program’s equipment and aircraft additions were purchased with external funds. Fuller told the board the aviation program has operated since about 1940 and that students often build training aids themselves because off-the-shelf equipment is expensive or unavailable.

Board members asked for follow-up information on enrollment projections and workforce connections; Fuller said he is in regular contact with economic-development staff. No board action was taken; the segment was presented as a superintendent spotlight.

Ending: Board members encouraged outreach to recruiters and local employers to retain graduates locally and flagged instructor staffing as the main constraint to program growth.