CEDAR FALLS - Manoj Balachandran's cousin in India flies light combat planes in an exhibition team similar to the Air Force Blue Angels.

Balachandran has always looked to the skies and longed to fly like his cousin.

"It's my passion. Aeronautics and flying have been a passion of my whole family," Balachandran said.

When the University of Northern Iowa made a flight course available this spring, the engineering student jumped at the chance.

Doug Walters, an experienced pilot, came to the university to propose a flight class. He was referred to Mohammed Fahmy in the industrial technology department, who thought it was a good idea.

The result is a two-credit class that meets Thursday nights. This spring it was offered to engineering students. It will be offered again next fall, then evaluated to see if it will continue.

The class takes students through various aspects of flying, but does not include flights due to liability and insurance concerns.

Walters said students who complete the course will be "about 90 percent" ready to take the Federal Aviation Administration ground school class on the way to gaining a private pilot's license.

"Here we can get them up to speed and introduce them to general aviation. They can get their feet wet and see if they want to go on," Walters said.

Walters said most students took the class just to get exposed to flying.

He expects five or six of the 22 students in the class will go on to get a pilot's license.

Jessica Phelan has definite plans to be among those who go on to fly.

"I've always found planes fascinating. It's been one of my goals in life to get a private pilot's license," Phelan said.

Just taking the course is enough to make Phelan's mother worry. She gets nervous just stepping on a commercial flight.

Phelan expects someday to fly for recreation.

Her friend and classmate, Balachandran, has higher flying aspirations. He thinks his engineering degree could pair nicely with flying experience.

"If I could combine this with a pilot's license I could have a good chance of getting into the flying or aeronautics industry," Balachandran said.

Fahmy thinks the flying class could turn into a good two-credit elective course to be offered across the university. But he doesn't see it turning into a degree program.

"We don't have an aviation program, and I don't think we intend to have an aviation program.

But Fahmy said the university can fill a need with the class.

"It could be a community service to people who want to learn about flying, especially in light of Hawkeye Community College canceling their program," he said.

Contact Jon Ericson at (319) 291-1461 or jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.