Finding a job in 2026 isn't easy. On average, job openings get over 250 applications, and the unemployment rate is around 5.2% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026). The truth is, in today's market, it's tough to stand out from the crowd. A lot of people end up searching for jobs only to find that they're underqualified or don't have as many options as they once thought.
What many hardworking people don't know is that attending medical assistant school can be a real game-changer for long-term stability. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs for medical assistants will grow by 14% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for most other careers. With healthcare always in demand, there's a strong need for people with these skills. Training as a medical assistant can give you a reliable path to a good job and set you up for a secure future, even when things are uncertain.
The problem? Not every medical assistant school in North Palm Beach, FL has the staff, class size, programs, and attention that you need. If you're for more than a degree - like equipping yourself with the tools and confidence to excel in a new medical career - it might be time to consider The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute.
The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, established by Dr. Andrew Rudnick, aims to equip students with the skills and confidence to thrive in the healthcare field. Our medical assistant curriculum is fast-paced and hands-on, designed to prepare students for real-world success. In fact, students have the chance to work directly with industry professionals and learn essential techniques during their time at The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute. This approach helps students gain practical experience in a lively, engaging setting. After all, shouldn't learning be as exciting as it is practical?
While many students choose medical assistant courses, students can earn a range of diplomas at The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, including:
At The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, professional mastery goes hand in hand with personal transformation. Our courses immerse students in the practical realities of healthcare while encouraging independent thought, self-assurance, and curiosity that lasts well beyond graduation.
We offer an environment where learning is an adventure. Here, students work alongside experienced professionals, tackle real challenges, and develop skills through genuine, hands-on scenarios. Growth here is not just measured by tests but by the ability to adapt, question, and chart one's own course.
No matter where you begin, The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute helps shape individuals who want to stand out in the healthcare space. We're talking about driven people who lead with initiative, contribute original ideas, and leave their mark. Here, you craft your own path and gain more than just a set of skills. You create your own story.
Our students and graduates recommend our medical assisting school because we prioritize:
Faculty and staff at The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute collaborate closely with students from day one, providing personalized mentorship and hands-on guidance. They assist students in developing a clear academic plan, offer feedback on projects, and are available for one-on-one support throughout the entire program. This partnership ensures that students feel supported and empowered at every step.
The curriculum is regularly tailored to reflect current trends in healthcare, allowing students to pursue learning opportunities that directly align with their chosen career paths. Workshops, practical labs, and networking events are integrated into the program, making each experience relevant and valuable. This approach guarantees that every moment at The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute contributes meaningfully to the student's professional journey.
At The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, our instructors serve as a dedicated bridge between graduates and the broader business and medical community. This role involves actively reaching out to local hospitals, clinics, private practices, and healthcare organizations to develop partnerships and stay up to date on evolving industry needs.
Our instructors regularly consult with employers to ensure graduates possess the skills and attributes most in demand and also facilitates introductions and networking opportunities for students preparing to enter the workforce.
The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute offers comprehensive instruction on job search strategies tailored to the realities of today's healthcare job market. Students and graduates receive guidance on crafting impactful resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and developing a strong professional presence both in person and online.
Faculty members dedicate a scheduled hour each week specifically for student counseling, offering guidance on academic progress, course selection, study strategies, and personal challenges related to coursework. These sessions may be conducted in person or virtually, depending on the student's needs and preferences. In addition, faculty can provide referrals to external resources for issues beyond academic matters.
Staff members are also available in the administration office throughout regular business hours to assist with enrollment questions, tuition payments, scheduling, access to campus facilities, and general inquiries. They also help students navigate institutional procedures, process documentation, and connect with the appropriate campus services for specialized support.
Our students and graduates recommend our medical assisting school because we prioritize:
Faculty and staff at The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute collaborate closely with students from day one, providing personalized mentorship and hands-on guidance. They assist students in developing a clear academic plan, offer feedback on projects, and are available for one-on-one support throughout the entire program. This partnership ensures that students feel supported and empowered at every step.
The curriculum is regularly tailored to reflect current trends in healthcare, allowing students to pursue learning opportunities that directly align with their chosen career paths. Workshops, practical labs, and networking events are integrated into the program, making each experience relevant and valuable. This approach guarantees that every moment at The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute contributes meaningfully to the student's professional journey.
At The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, our Director serves as a dedicated bridge between graduates and the broader business and medical community. This role involves actively reaching out to local hospitals, clinics, private practices, and healthcare organizations to develop partnerships and stay up to date on evolving industry needs.
Our Director regularly consult with employers to ensure graduates possess the skills and attributes most in demand and also facilitates introductions and networking opportunities for students preparing to enter the workforce.
The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute offers comprehensive instruction on job search strategies tailored to the realities of today's healthcare job market. Students and graduates receive guidance on crafting impactful resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and developing a strong professional presence both in person and online.
Faculty members dedicate a scheduled hour each week specifically for student counseling, offering guidance on academic progress, course selection, study strategies, and personal challenges related to coursework. These sessions may be conducted in person or virtually, depending on the student's needs and preferences. In addition, faculty can provide referrals to external resources for issues beyond academic matters.
Staff members are also available in the administration office throughout regular business hours to assist with enrollment questions, tuition payments, scheduling, access to campus facilities, and general inquiries. They also help students navigate institutional procedures, process documentation, and connect with the appropriate campus services for specialized support.
Now that you know more about our medical assisting school in North Palm Beach, FL, you're probably wondering what medical assistants do and why you might want to become one.
Certified medical assistants (MAs) are sought after across the country. With only a short educational path required, becoming an MA opens the door to a rewarding and stable profession in healthcare. In May 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a national median salary of $42,000 per year (or $20.19 per hour) for medical assistants. Those numbers are expected to rise in the coming years. Pay can differ based on where you work, your experience, and your workplace environment. Many healthcare organizations now offer higher wages as they recognize the essential role MAs play and strive to fill open positions.
So, what exactly are the responsibilities of a medical assistant?
Medical assistants keep doctors' offices and clinics running. They greet patients, handle paperwork, and lend a hand with everything from preparing exam rooms to drawing blood or monitoring vital signs. Their work is hands-on and practical: entering lab results, arranging appointments, and making sure both patients and providers have what they need. Without medical assistants, daily routines would quickly unravel.
Most medical assistants spend their days in bustling outpatient clinics or doctors' offices, where they make up the backbone of day-to-day operations. But medical assistants are also valuable team members in specialty practices, urgent care centers, and even hospitals, where they adapt to the unique needs of each environment.
Here's an approximate breakdown of where most medical assistants work:
At The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, our staff works with students to provide job-finding resources, resume-building tips, placement services, and much more. Our goal isn't to fast-track you out of the front door. It's to set you up for a lifetime of success in the medical industry.
Once students graduate from their medical assisting school in North Palm Beach, FL, they're often ready to enter the job market and make a difference. Armed with a variety of skills, medical assistants jump between greeting patients, recording health histories, and assisting with hands-on care. As flexible workers, their role blends behind-the-scenes organization with direct patient interaction, meaning no two days are ever the same.
First, the medical assistant may check that all exam rooms are clean, stocked with supplies, and ready for patients. They review the day's schedule to see how many patients are coming in and what types of appointments are planned.
As the waiting room fills, medical assistants welcome each person, gather details about their health and medications, and find out what brings them in. They quickly and carefully record vital signs like the patient's pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and weight, which helps build a foundation for the doctor's diagnosis.
Once the patient is set, the medical assistant lets the doctors know the patient is ready. Sometimes they stick around during the exam, passing instruments or lending a steady hand with tasks like phlebotomy or giving shots, provided state rules allow. Their adaptability keeps the visit moving smoothly.
By lunchtime, medical assistants are in constant motion, wiping down exam rooms, updating charts, and fielding calls from people seeking advice or trying to fit in a last-minute visit. Their multitasking keeps the clinic humming even as the day gets busier.
A medical assistant might also help with:
MAs spend their days talking with patients, so clear communication is a key skill to have. In fact, medical assistants are often responsible for breaking down their doctor's instructions, whether it's explaining a prescription or walking someone through home care after an injury.
Late afternoons for medical assistants can mean prepping patients for last-minute appointments, lending a hand with wound care, or running quick tests like EKGs. Their focus shifts from the steady flow of earlier hours to wrapping up the essential tasks that can't wait until tomorrow.
They use simple language with patients, check charts, restock supplies, and clean up—ready for whatever the final hours bring. Before heading out, medical assistants huddle with the staff to recap the day's highlights, flag any lingering concerns, and set the stage for a smooth start in the morning.
By now, you know that medical assistants keep the healthcare industry running, working alongside doctors and nurses to care for patients and tackle critical office work. At The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, we give students hands-on training and experience, so they're ready to step into jobs at hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices as soon as they graduate.
Through a comprehensive curriculum, students will gain hands-on skills in patient care, medical procedures, and administrative duties, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation.
Medical Assisting is a high-demand career with opportunities for growth, stability, and advancement in the healthcare field. Students choose this curriculum because, after graduating and getting a job, they benefit from:
If you're looking for an easy, affordable way to change your life for the better, contact The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute today and ask us about our medical assisting program. It could be the first step you take toward newfound success.
At The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute, our professors teach real-world skills, such as clinical techniques and office procedures, and provide hands-on training so students are ready for whatever healthcare setting they enter. Some of the skills you'll learn as a medical assisting student include:
Check blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and breathing to keep tabs on patient health.
Practice drawing blood, labeling samples, and following safety steps to prevent contamination.
Learn how to perform EKGs, record heart rhythms, and spot irregular patterns.
Master appointment scheduling, handling patient files, processing insurance claims, and managing billing tasks.
Prep exam rooms, set up tools, and help doctors during exams or minor surgeries.
Measure medication doses, give injections, and understand how to follow prescription instructions.
Use sterilization practices and follow safety rules to protect patients and staff.
After finishing the Medical Assisting program, graduates are ready for national certification exams and can step confidently into entry-level jobs in doctors' offices, clinics, urgent care centers, or specialty medical practices. Our program's blend of classroom learning and real-world training ensures students have the skills needed to thrive in fast-paced healthcare environments.
Some of the most common career paths include the following:
The start of your new career begins after you're approved for admission. In order to enroll in our medical assisting school, you must provide The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute with:
Proof That You've Completed High School (certification, GED, or diploma)
A Government-Issued ID
Proof That You're a U.S. Citizen (you must have a valid state ID or driver's license)
Diploma Catalog ID Deposit (new students must pay a $600 deposit and be scheduled on a payment plan or have tuition paid in full)
A career in healthcare means more than a steady paycheck. It's a chance to make a difference every day and grow alongside a field that never stands still. If you like working with others and want a job where your efforts matter, training as a medical assistant opens the door to a world of hands-on care and real impact.
Graduates from our medical assistant school in North Palm Beach, FL leave with more than just a certificate. They gain practical experience, confidence, and the know-how to jump into clinics, doctors' offices, or specialty practices from day one. If you're ready to start a rewarding career in healthcare, choose The Healthcare Assisting and Team Institute's medical assisting school and let our expertise help shape your future.
With the right skills and experience, medical assistants can also pursue specialized roles or continue their education into other roles, such as nursing, medical office management, or healthcare administration. Contact our admissions office today to learn more and get started on your journey.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Early Voting in the Florida House District 87 Special General Election and the Village of North Palm Beach Special Election will be available beginning on Saturday, March 14, through March 22, 2026.Three Early Voting locations will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the Early Voting period.Election Day is Tuesday, March 24, 2026.All eligible voters residing in Florida House District 87 may vote in the Florida House District 87 Special General Election. Only voters who resi...
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Early Voting in the Florida House District 87 Special General Election and the Village of North Palm Beach Special Election will be available beginning on Saturday, March 14, through March 22, 2026.
Three Early Voting locations will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the Early Voting period.
Election Day is Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
All eligible voters residing in Florida House District 87 may vote in the Florida House District 87 Special General Election. Only voters who reside within the Village of North Palm Beach may vote in the Village’s Special Election.
See also: Lake Park Elementary principal blows twice the legal limit after rear-end crash, PBSO says
Voters who reside in the Village of North Palm Beach will see both races on their ballot, as the Village is located within Florida House District 87.
Eligible registered voters in Florida House District 87 may vote at any Early Voting location. Early Voting locations and wait times are available at VotePalmBeach.gov.
Voters must bring a valid photo and signature ID to vote. A list of acceptable forms of identification is available at VotePalmBeach.gov.
The optional Early Voting Appointment program lets voters schedule a specific time to cast their ballot at any Early Voting location. This convenient and optional online tool helps voters plan ahead, avoid lines, and vote quickly at a time that works best for them. Appointments can be made at VotePalmBeach.gov.
Voters participating in the Special Elections may drop off their completed Vote-by-Mail ballot at Early Voting locations during Early Voting hours. Visit VotePalmBeach.gov for more information about Vote-by-Mail ballot drop-off hours and locations.
All Vote-by-Mail ballots must be returned to the Main Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m., or by 5 p.m. to a Branch Office or Secure Ballot Intake Station on Election Day to be counted.
Florida House District 87 Special General Election and Village of North Palm Beach Special Election
Winter is still happening and it is glorious! Though it won't last too much longer, we're still talking highs in the 70s, low humidity and, hopefully, no more falling iguanas. Now get out and see works by over 250 artists at ArtFest by the Sea in Juno Beach, take a garden tour in one of West Palm Beach's most notable historic neighborhoods, watch the sunset from a canoe at Grassy Waters Preserve and more.In addition to the top five events listed there's always something great happening at places like The Norton Museum of Art or the Ma...
Winter is still happening and it is glorious! Though it won't last too much longer, we're still talking highs in the 70s, low humidity and, hopefully, no more falling iguanas. Now get out and see works by over 250 artists at ArtFest by the Sea in Juno Beach, take a garden tour in one of West Palm Beach's most notable historic neighborhoods, watch the sunset from a canoe at Grassy Waters Preserve and more.
In addition to the top five events listed there's always something great happening at places like The Norton Museum of Art or the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. On top of that you could always just enjoy a great meal with an equally great view at one of Palm Beach County's waterfront restaurants from Jupiter to Boca Raton. Plus, we've curated a list of the best things to do all year in the county, and here it is: your bucket list of 60 fun must-try things to do in Palm Beach County.
This open-air art gallery, now in its 36th year, highlights the talents of more than 250 artists displaying a wide range of works from life-size sculptures, to photography and jewelry. There are all sorts of opportunities to appreciate – and purchase – art during this weekend of visual inspiration. This event is ranked as one of the top 50 art shows in the United States.
The event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. 14200 US 1, Juno Beach. Free. Information: artfestbythesea.com
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Get out on the water and watch the beauty of the real world as birds fly in to roost for the evening and that giant glowing orb slowly sinks into the horizon. Let the trip help you realize how small we are and how we need to fill and cherish every second of our lives with real world experience and get off the social media channels. Ages 15 and older.
The event is 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7. 8264 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach. $15. Reservations required. Information: 561-804-4985; wpb.org/Departments/Grassy
This self-guided walking tour will take participants on a tour of 10 beautifully-maintained private gardens at homes in the historic West Palm Beach neighborhood. At each home, guests will enjoy light bites and beverages from Grato, Pig Beach BBQ, Rhythm Cafe and Souvlaki Grill. Golf carts will also be available to assist guests along the way.
The event is 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 8. 704 Ardmore Drive, West Palm Beach. Advance $70, day of $90. Information: flamingopark.org/2026-garden
Held at the beautiful MacArthur Beach State Park, Nature Fest will feature guided nature hikes, live music by North Palm Youth Symphony and Jacksonian Music Factory, a live animal show, over 40 vendors and artisans, a native plant sale, local food trucks and more.
The event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7. 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach. Free with park admission. Information: macarthurbeach.org
Held at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in downtown West Palm Beach, this show features international jazz vocalist Nikki Kidd. Her musical style is the embodiment of classic and current jazz while her voice has the ability to transport you back to the days of speakeasies. She has worked with acclaimed artists including Gloria Estefan, Michael Bublé, KC and the Sunshine Band.
The event is 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8. 253 Barcelona Road, West Palm Beach. Adults $35, ANSG members $30, children $15. Reservations requested. Information: ansg.org/palm-sundays
Held at the Seabreeze Amphitheater within Carlin Park, don't miss this delightfully inappropriate, shockingly fun, and utterly unforgettable aerial antics, moto madness and death-defying stunts! Arrive an hour before showtime at Dr. Elixir’s Drink-Ory Garden and indulge in perplexing potions, bitter brews, mischievous medicines, and savory snacks — a tantalizing prelude to the wildly entertaining evening ahead!
The shows are 3 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday through March 22. 750 S. Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway, Jupiter. Information: mrswindles.com/tickets
The event will feature the 5K Green Run, 1 Mile Nature Run and/or Treasure Walk and the Virtual Green Run. The Treasure Walk offers interesting information about our environment. Participants search for information stations and put together a clue upon completion. A naturalist will be presenting information and a few live animals after the races! Free face paintings will be available by Sunshine Painters.
The event is Saturday, March 7. 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter. Run and virtual run $40 before Feb. 26, 1 Mile Nature Run $35 before Feb. 26. Information: jerfsapartnership.org runsignup.com/Race/FL/Jupiter/5KGreenRun
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, a total lunar eclipse will pass over the United States and it will be seen in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Lake Park and Juno Beach.The "blood moon" eclipse will cause the moon to exhibit a reddish hue, according to NASA. It will be visible in parts of the world beginning in the evening and going into the early morning, NASA said.The moon will slip entirely through Earth's shadow – the umbra – and turn a ghostly copper color....
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, a total lunar eclipse will pass over the United States and it will be seen in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Lake Park and Juno Beach.
The "blood moon" eclipse will cause the moon to exhibit a reddish hue, according to NASA. It will be visible in parts of the world beginning in the evening and going into the early morning, NASA said.
The moon will slip entirely through Earth's shadow – the umbra – and turn a ghostly copper color.
The total lunar eclipse in March 2026, weather permitting, will be visible across much of North America and South America and many regions beyond, including Europe and the United Kingdom. It also will be visible to all of Florida.
In Florida, we can best see this natural phenomenon between 3:44 and 6:30 a.m. EST.
The total lunar eclipse, sometimes called a blood moon, will be visible in Florida. This story contains an alphabetical roundup of what time to look up in various Florida cities. No eclipse glasses needed!
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, creating a shadow across the lunar surface, which turns the moon's color reddish-orange. Our planet blocks most of the sun's light from reaching the moon, but the Earth's movement during the eclipse will cause the natural satellite to develop a color.
The moon typically exhibits a grey color because light that reaches the lunar surface is often filtered through Earth's atmosphere.
It's only possible to observe an eclipse during a full moon phase, according to NASA. An eclipse can be observed from anywhere with a direct view of the natural satellite.
An eclipse can also make stars and constellations more visible. During the upcoming eclipse, the moon will be in the constellation Leo under the lion's hind paws, according to NASA.
Venus and Saturn will also appear closer to each other in the night sky on March 8.
According to timeanddate.com, the total lunar eclipse could be visible in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and all of Palm Beach County north, from 3:44 a.m. to 6:44 a.m. ET Tuesday, March 3, 2026, with max viewing at 6:33 a.m. ET.
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — A South Florida pizzeria is facing backlash after going viral for adding iguana pizza to their menu following the historic cold front that swept across the Sunshine State.But weeks after adding the unique topping, they are now reversing course.Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach said they will stop offering the viral pizza topping that put them on the map.The restaurant gained popularity during the historic cold snap with a video connecting with millions of viewers.While iguan...
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — A South Florida pizzeria is facing backlash after going viral for adding iguana pizza to their menu following the historic cold front that swept across the Sunshine State.
But weeks after adding the unique topping, they are now reversing course.
Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach said they will stop offering the viral pizza topping that put them on the map.
The restaurant gained popularity during the historic cold snap with a video connecting with millions of viewers.
While iguanas were falling from trees, Bucks was expanding their menu.
“My buddy hit me up and was like, ‘How do you feel about me bringing in some iguana meat and making iguana pizza?’ I said, ‘absolutely,’” owner Frankie Cecere said.
Cecere said he believes customers were inspired to try something new.
“We have received about 1,500 calls for iguana pizza,” he said. “It’s highly sought after, apparently.”
But those calls also brought complaints to the Health Department.
“People called in saying we had live iguanas in house, like an animal cruelty issue,” said Cecere. “We don’t have live iguanas here.”
Despite not selling or killing live iguanas, Bucks is scaling back the topping, at least for now.
“I thought it would fall under catch and cook,” said Cecere.
Bucks is now working through regulatory questions about serving iguana meat.
“You don’t need a license to harvest iguanas because they’re an invasive species, but apparently there’s no statute for it,” Cecere said.
The restaurant serves other meats, like gator and venison, but this was the first time Cecere ever made iguana pizza.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
A private jet hit multiple deer on the runway Tuesday morning, forcing an emergency landing at Palm Beach International Airport. Fortunately, all passengers on board escaped unharmedWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —A private jet was forced to make an emergency landing after striking multiple deer during takeoff.It happened Tuesday evening at North Palm Beach County Aviation Airport. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane struck several deer while taking off from the airport. The...
A private jet hit multiple deer on the runway Tuesday morning, forcing an emergency landing at Palm Beach International Airport. Fortunately, all passengers on board escaped unharmed
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
A private jet was forced to make an emergency landing after striking multiple deer during takeoff.
It happened Tuesday evening at North Palm Beach County Aviation Airport. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane struck several deer while taking off from the airport. The pilot eventually landed safely at Palm Beach International Airport, where first responders were staged. The FAA is now investigating the crash.
WPBF 25 News obtained the dispatch audio from the incident, where one person can be heard saying the plane had minor damage but would need to be towed off the airfield.
No injuries were reported.
The FAA maintains a database where it records each collision between aircraft and wildlife, more commonly referred to as wildlife strikes.
Their data shows from 1990 to 2024, 656 species of birds, 57 species of terrestrial mammals, 52 species of bats, and 45 species of reptiles were identified as struck by an aircraft. According to the FAA, deer and coyotes are the terrestrial mammals with the most damaging strikes.
The FAA data shows the number of damaging strikes has declined over the years.
WPBF 25 News spoke with a local pilot, Michael Leighton, to better understand how rare these incidents are.
"It is an extremely, extremely rare event, like getting hit by lightning or getting bit by a shark. It's not something that happens. You could fly your whole life, your entire life. I've got 16,000 flight hours, that's two full years off the surface of the Earth, and I've never hit an animal with an airplane. Can it happen? Sure. Is it likely to happen? Probably not," Leighton said.
Leighton said airports do a good job of keeping wildlife off the runways, but when they do get inside, he said, oftentimes it's safer for a pilot to hit the animal.
"Clearly, you don't want to do anything that's going to cause you to crash. Sometimes it's better to hit the animal and not be in the air when you do it, than to try and lift the plane off early, for example, to miss it, and then create a flight hazard to yourself because the plane wasn't ready to fly," he said.
As a flight instructor, he said he teaches his students that their safety is the priority.
"I tell my students, look, whatever you hit, whether it's a bird or deer, it may damage the plane. I don't care. We can fix the plane. I just don't want you to get hurt," Leighton said.
He said that after a certain speed, it's nearly impossible for a plane to safely avoid hitting an animal.
"You're not able to swerve left or right like you can with a car. With an airplane, your range of motion is much smaller because the plane only has three wheels, so it's not made for that. It's not made to turn quickly at high speed on the ground," Leighton said.
However, when it's safe, Leighton said he teaches his students to go around.
"It's a very rare event, and it's almost impossible to train for. We routinely teach that if there's a creature on the runway while we're approaching, we go around. When I'm out with my students, for example, and I want them to execute a go-around, I'll say, Oh, cow on the runway, go around. It could be a cow or another airplane or a coyote or whatever, but the point is wildlife on the runway, we go around," he said.
According to the FAA, from 1990 through 2024, they received reports of 88 aircraft destroyed or damaged beyond repair due to wildlife strikes. Their data shows terrestrial mammals, primarily white-tailed deer, were responsible for about 40 percent of the incidents.
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