Associate of Applied Science, Professional Pilot (Blended/Online)

Associate of Applied Science, Professional Pilot 2-Year Plan  

Program Description:

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Professional Pilot prepares graduates to enter the workforce as commercial pilots as flight instructors, air taxi pilots, corporate pilots or first officers for commuter airlines. Graduates will earn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate, with Single and Multi-Engine Land class ratings with an Instrument Rating, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, and either a Regional Airline Transition course or a Practicum to build flight hours and other employable skills for the aviation industry.

The AAS degree in Professional pilot requires 62 credit hours, of which 33 are earned toward the major, including 27 credit hours earned for ground and flight training.  The remaining 29 hours include general education. All non-flight courses are offered in an online or blended delivery format. Students under an F1 Visa take courses in face-to-face.

This program is ideal for students who primarily desire to become professional or airline pilots and are starting with no flight experience. However, credit for prior FAA Pilot Certificates or Knowledge Exams can be awarded per policy.*

Students who choose the accelerated flight training path will have the opportunity to interview for employment as a flight instructor and work while they finish their degrees.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the Associate of Applied Sciences in Professional Pilot will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the aeronautical knowledge and pilot skills to safely operate a fixed-wing single-engine aircraft appropriate for a commercial pilot.

Assessment:

1. 100% of students will pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Exam with a 70% or higher on their first attempt.
2.  80% of the students will pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Practical Exam on the first attempt. 100% will pass by no more than two attempts.

 

2. Demonstrate the aeronautical knowledge and pilot skills to safely operate a fixed-wing single-engine aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions.

Assessment:

1. 100% of students will pass the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam with a 70% or higher on their first attempt.
2. 80% of the students will pass the FAA Instrument Rating Practical Exam on the first attempt. 100% will pass by no more than two attempts.

 

3. Demonstrate the aeronautical knowledge and principles of instruction to operate as a ground and flight instructor pilot.

Assessment:

1. 100% of students will pass the FAA Fundamentals of Instruction Knowledge Exam with a 70% or higher on their first attempt.
2. 100% of students will pass the FAA Flight Instructor Knowledge Exam with a 70% or higher on their first attempt.
3. 80% of the students will pass the FAA Certified Flight Instructor Practical Exam on the first attempt. 100% will pass by no more than two attempts.

 

4. Describe career paths and pilot opportunities within the aviation industry.

Assessment:

1. All students will achieve 80% on a standardized rubric for an integrative assignment in the AVIM 4013: Aviation Practicum I course, or AVIM 4003: Regional Airline Transition course.

 

Admissions Criteria:

• High School Diploma
• Enrollment Application
• Character Reference
• Ability to read, write, and understand English to take the Private Pilot Practical Exam
• 17 years of age to take the Private Pilot Practical Exam; 18 years of age to take the Commercial Pilot Practical Exam.
• Ability to obtain an FAA Class 2 Medical Certificate (to operate with the privileges of a Commercial Pilot Certificate).
• Ability to obtain an FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate (to operate with the privileges of an Airline Transport Certificate).
• International/non-citizens must complete additional requirements including an appropriate VISA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approval through the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).

*The first 9 credit hours are free, then $200 per course thereafter. If a student presents official transcripts from an accredited institution of higher education with equivalent courses, all those credits transfer at no cost. A faculty member or certified flight instructor appointed by the university may verify the currency of the credit through a review of logbook entries, oral examination, and/or flight/simulator evaluation.

Please see the Aviation promotional page for information on additional fees associated with this program.