Gallery: Embry-Riddle Past And Present

Though the date of this photo is unknown, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk remains the longstanding workhorse of the university's flight training fleet.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) flight training building in Daytona Beach, Florida contains photos and memorabilia from the university’s storied history

Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy learned to fly at an Embry-Riddle seaplane base in 1944 at the height of World War II. His training took place over 10 days, where he even managed to solo.

Proof that John F. Kennedy learned to fly happened after the recovery of his logbook. For quite some time, JFK's flight training history was uncertain until documents, including this one, surfaced.

John Paul Riddle, born 1901, started out as a daredevil barnstormer performing flight tricks for entertainment. After meeting entrepreneur T. Higbee Embry, the two formed a partnership forming the Embry-Riddle Co. in 1925 at Lunken Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally, they taught the adventurous how to fly as the Embry-Riddle Flying School.

In 1965, after outgrowing its former home in Miami, Embry-Riddle made a historic move to its present-day home in Daytona Beach under "Operation Bootstrap," pictured here. Years later in 1978, the university expanded once again with the opening of a second residential campus in Prescott, Arizona.

Today, ERAU at Daytona Beach operates 87 Cessna and 11 Diamond aircraft in its training fleet, where up to 360 flights are operated per day between 5:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. It was the first all ADSB (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) fleet 18 years ago, and currently accommodates about 1,450 flight training students.

In addition to providing flight training students simulation before ever setting foot in an airplane, ERAU also offers ATC simulators. The one pictured here mocks a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. According to ERAU, flight training students solo in 20% less time thanks to the use of its simulators.

Another study program ERAU offers is aircraft maintenance. As a certified Part 147 aircraft maintenance technician school, the university also holds a Part 145 certificate as a repair station. Maintenance students work on ERAU's fleet of owned and operated aircraft. This photo was taken inside the university's FAA engine repair station lab.