Dr. Daniel E. Coons, Ed.D. (1932-2017) Known nationally as the founder of the Airway Science Program at Delaware State University (DSU). Since its inception in 1987, this undergraduate degree-granting program has trained and placed hundreds of individuals in commercial, corporate, governmental and military aviation careers.
Dr. Coons was an Army combat veteran of the Korean War and from 1977 through 1987 served in the USCG Auxiliary as a Command Pilot and Division Commander flying interdiction and search and rescue missions. His 3,000 plus flight hours included FAA ratings in single engine land (SEL), single engine sea (SES), multi engine (MEL) and multi engine sea (MES).
The DSU Airway Science Program has generated more than 100 graduates. In 1996, Dr. Coons developed a proposition in which DSU was awarded the sole contract for training of USAF ROTC cadets nation-wide. He served as administrator and director of the $2,500,000 program which subsequently trained over 300 cadets, primarily at DSU using student instructors from the DSU program which has its own fleet of aircraft at Delaware Airpark in Cheswold. In 2004, the program expanded to include the University of Texas, San Antonio from which 217 students were commissioned 2nd lieutenants and became rated military aviators.
A DSU faculty member since 1972, Dr. Coons retired in 2005 and continued his affiliation with the Airway Science Program as a volunteer. The program, envisioned and established by him, now includes students from throughout the world and has brought unique aviation distinction to Dan and to the State of Delaware.
