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Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Aviation Science

What is Aviation Science?

If all you need to fly a plane is a pilot's license, why pursue a degree in Aviation Science? Though the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is all that the Federal Aviation Administration requires for the operation of any aircraft, a specialized degree in this field will provide you with a broader and more thorough understanding of aeronautics than you will learn in flight school. As a result, you can qualify for a range of rewarding and exciting positions in this burgeoning industry.

Apart from piloting aircraft, the study of Aviation Science encompasses air traffic control, maintenance of aircrafts and related facilities, flight operations, dispatch operations and communications. During a degree program in Aviation, you can develop a set of mature and diversified interests that will support your quest for a fulfilling career.

For instance, you may discover that you are interested in the professional development aspects of the field, working with crews on the ground as well as in the air. You may enjoy the mechanical aspects of the field that allow professionals to develop new aeronautical technology or improved aircraft designs. You may become attracted to specialized applications such as aerial photography for cartographers or aerial firefighting. You could even find yourself piloting a spacecraft for NASA.

If you have a budding interest in the field, associate's degrees in Aviation Science will provide you with a foundational education on the subject. If you are certain that this is the path for you, then a Bachelor of Aviation Science degree will set you on the right track.

Professionally trained pilots often join Aviation Science degree programs to refresh or deepen their understanding of Aeronautics.

From an employer's point of view, a degree from a certified Aviation Science program in addition to a commercial pilot license shows a high level of commitment to the field. Most commercial airlines prefer applicants with college degrees. If you are already a licensed pilot, flight time and certificates can be counted towards your degree, saving both time and money.

Get your degree in Aviation Science
	Search Type: Online    Campus Degree:  Zip: --- Select a Degree --- Associate Bachelor Master Diploma Certificate Coursework

What does an aviation professional do?

Flying aircraft is a task oriented discipline. It requires memorizing and following procedures meticulously. Professionals who have been trained in the piloting of aircrafts manage and evaluate:

• flight plans
• weather forecasts
• aircraft load, fuel, oils, and hydraulic fluids
• repairs made to the aircraft
• state of the aircraft in its entirety
• flight management systems
• cabin crew
• flight crew
• passenger safety
• flight of the plane to its destination
• communication with air traffic control
• landing of the aircraft
• write reports and keep a flight log
• cleanliness of the aircraft

Managing People, Not Just Planes

The more advanced your degree is the more management and organizational skills may be required of you. A cohesive and positive team ensures effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Managing groups of people is a skill that requires a special sensitivity to the intricacies of human interaction. Good management practices involve:

• Improving aircrew communication and attitude
• Identifying attitudes and personality traits that are helpful or toxic to overall crew mentality
• Monitoring strategic and tactical decision making
• Encouraging thorough situation assessment over snap decision-making
• Establishing an open communication with the crew regarding why decisions are made the way they are
• Promoting open and honest discussions after flights addressing what went wrong or right, what could be done differently
• Establishing an atmosphere of respect among all members of the aircrew
• Training crew to recognize signs that lead to accidents by recognizing patterns
• Discussing consequences of rash decision-making and proper air conduct
• Leading by example

Do you have what it takes?

• good group skills
• logical thinking
• high performance under pressure
• ability to follow procedures
• ability to get along with a wide variety of people
• alert and clear-headed work habits
• quick decision making skills
• confidence
• ability to stay focused on one task for an extended time.

If you are interested in working as a pilot, you must meet certain basic physical criteria. These requirements include good hearing, good eyesight (with or without glasses), keen reflexes, and overall good health.

What are the benefits of a career in Aviation Science?

Or, you may see yourself flying low over sub-Saharan Africa in a propeller plane, tracking the movements of wildebeests, or bringing aide to remote areas of the world. The benefit of a degree in Aviation Science, apart from the wealth of technical knowledge that it promises, is that it can be anything you want it to be.

Key Skills of Certified Aviation Specialists

• technical operation of aircraft and basic flying skills
• planning and decision-making and record-keeping skills
• ability to interpret flight plans and navigation data and to make calculations
• exceptional concentration skills
• effective skills for communicating with a range of people

What is the FAA?

The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 created the agency. In 1967, it became part of the Department of Transportation. FAA responsibilities include regulating all forms of air travel, promoting aviation safety by enforcing regulations, controlling aircraft noise and emissions, and developing and operating the system of air traffic control that navigates all civil and military aircraft.

Many job opportunities pursued by Aviation Science graduates exist under the umbrella of the FAA.

Career Education in Aviation Science

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

With recent advancements in technology and communication, many institutions offer online versions of their on-campus degree programs. Distance-learning programs serve the needs of students that cannot enroll in an on-campus program because of geographic or time constraints. Most of the coursework will be done online under the instruction of a properly qualified educator. Field work will be necessary for the completion of some online degrees.

The credibility and reputation of an online program will match that of the institution that offers the program. Also, the prerequisites and admission guidelines will be similar to those of on-campus educational models. Students need not be concerned with the accreditation of distance-learning programs, provided the college that offers the program is sufficiently accredited for its campus-based programs.

Most communication with instructors happens on the Internet. Students may be required to view videotapes and participate in online discussions.

Associate Degree Programs
This ninety credit hour degree program generally requires applicants to hold a high school diploma or GED certificate. Enrollees will have earned a 2.0 GPA in lower level math and science courses.

Associate's Degrees are often used as a lead in course to bachelor programs. The Associate's Degree requires a two-year commitment. It provides graduates a general education and foundational knowledge with emphasis on flight, maintenance, operations and air traffic control.

Recipients of this degree may choose to enter the work force upon graduation or apply their Associate degree to a Bachelor degree program for continued education. A wide variety of opportunities will be available for professionals holding only an Associate degree. However, graduates holding more advanced degrees will be more competitive in the field.

Bachelor Degree Programs
Coursework in a four-year Bachelor of Science program will be more in-depth and rigorous than that of an Associate's Degree program.

The Bachelor Degree program will combine flight training and academic coursework. Graduates will be qualified to work as a commercial pilot, a flight instructor, or a corporate pilot. Alternatively, a career may be sought in governmental agencies or the military.

During a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science degree program, students earn two professional qualifications. The first is a degree in science. The other is a commercial pilot license. Enough science and engineering is covered in this degree track that you may decide to pursue a career in a non-aviation discipline. A handful of graduates apply their skills in research laboratories or in other engineering settings.

Master Degree Programs
This two-year program furthers the conceptual understanding of established professionals in the field. Advanced topics are covered on the Master's level, including the development and manufacturing of aviation- or aerospace-related equipment. Some aviation science graduate students examine the economic and public system that supports the aeronautics industry.

The typical graduate of an Aviation Science Bachelor's Degree program works in the professional realm and specializes his or her career focus before going on to continued study. The Master's Degree is available for the air traffic controller, pilot, aviation instructor, flight crew member, or flight operations manager to deepen the knowledge of their specializations A Master's Degree program allows a richer experience of career choice while opening doors of opportunity for career advancement.

Generally, applicants must already possess a Bachelor's Degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Coursework covers such topics as:

• weather phenomenon - analysis of atmospheric conditions and recognizing disturbances
• cockpit design - utilizing engineering and advanced electronics
• accident investigation - analyzing human factors in accidents and accident data
• ethics and legalities - the ins and outs of the aviation laws and regulations
• situational awareness - psychological dynamics involved in decision-making
• emissions and environmental concerns - regulation and evaluation
• modern airport operations - analysis of problems and needs of modern airports
• management - skills in managing crews and project direction
• finance - examines the factors that are specific to the financial situation of this field
• aviation physiology - the effect of flying on the human body, examining the effects on different genders and body types

Doctorate Degree Programs
At the Ph.D. level, education is scholarly rather than field-based. The doctoral student penetrates the theoretical and experimental aspects of aeronautical technology. Study is extremely specialized with topics such as:

• High-temperature gas physics
• Thermo-chemical nonequilibrium flows
• Aerospace control systems
• Experimental and theoretical mechanical science
• Airflows through and over porous material

Such scholarly specialization of the field is essential to the technological advancement of aviation. Ph.D. programs prepare scholars for research or teaching positions.

Universities offering online aviation science degree programs:

Everglades University - Online Degrees in Aviation Management and Aviation Technology

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Aviation Science?

Career options for aspiring pilots and aviation science professionals

Pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics, managers, flight operators, flight instructors, dispatch operations managers. These are just a few of the applications of a degree in Aviation Science. This section lists a variety of jobs available in this field with a brief description of responsibilities. Approximate salaries are included when applicable.

Career Opportunities for Pilots

• Cargo Operations. Efficiencies in cargo plane design along with the increasingly urgent needs of business have shifted many package delivery services to the air. Less experienced pilots can gain flight hours on large jets without having to worry about planes full of nervous passengers.
  
  
• Charter Operations. As more business executives rely on private planes and shared-time flight arrangements, many aviation science graduates find themselves piloting small, chartered aircraft. Pilots employed by regional charter companies can start their careers with annual salaries of $50,000, while professionals employed as in-house pilots by large corporations can earn six-figure salaries that rival those of commercial airlines.
  
  
• Passenger Operations. Though consolidation and cost-cutting moves within the airline industry have frustrated experienced pilots, many lucrative positions have opened up for new pilots at upstart discount and regional airlines. Federal agencies strictly regulate working hours, working conditions, and flight schedules. New pilots working on small, regional planes often earn $43,000 or more during their first year. As pilots gain flight hours and experience with larger aircraft, they can earn annual salaries of $140,000 with additional bonuses for customer satisfaction and on-time performance.
  
  
• Military Pilot. All branches of the military actively recruit aviation science majors to pilot experimental aircraft. Experienced professionals can lead teams of fighters. Other graduates use their scientific skills to run sophisticated refueling craft that support long haul flights and critical missions. Experienced military pilots can earn close to $100,000 in annual salary by the end of their commissions, paving the way for a lucrative career as a commercial pilot while enjoying healthy retirement benefits.
  
  
• Flight Instructor. Many Aviation Science graduates help private pilots earn their certifications at small flight schools. Instructors develop lesson plans and training techniques, while enjoying the relative freedom of working with smaller aircraft in low-pressure situations. Many flight instructors earn annual salaries of around $41,000.
  
  
• Astronaut. Employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, these experienced engineers and scientists work just as hard on the ground as they do in space. Most astronauts earn about $80,000 per year, while enjoying the significant benefits of involvement with the space program.
  
  
• Aerial Photography. Mapping companies, real estate brokers, and commercial developers hire aviation science graduates to capture sophisticated images of land and buildings. For aviation science professionals who want to express themselves creatively, this specialty offers the opportunity to earn lucrative fees or recurring royalties, depending on how their work is used.
  
  
• Agricultural Operations. It may sound quaint, but crop dusters and cloud seeders still play a very important role in our country's agricultural success. The most successful agricultural pilots combine their aerobatic skill with their knowledge of chemistry and physics to help farmers maximize their crop yields.
  
  
• Traffic/News Reporting. As news outlets compete for the most compelling images of breaking events, aviation science graduates use their skills to create flight paths and holding patterns on the fly. Many stations now hire helicopter pilots who can report on breaking news stories and traffic conditions while they fly their aircraft and operate remote-controlled cameras. Base salaries for most of these positions start at $40,000 per year, although private endorsements and performance bonuses can drastically increase a professional's income.
  
  
• Public Safety. Governmental and law enforcement agencies employ pilots to transport people and cargo, enforce roadway speed limits from the air, track criminals, and perform search and rescue missions. Fires that are burning out of the control of ground units or in remote locations require the assistance of aerial firefighters.
  
  
• Wildlife Services. Pilots are used in remote areas of the world to monitor and study the movement and activities of wildlife. Data collected includes animal migratory and population statistics.
  
  
• Tour Operations. Pilots in scenic resorts and major cities offer unusual aerial tours for vacationers and business travelers. Aviation science graduates use all of their skills to maneuver their aircraft through complex flight paths while entertaining guests.
  
  
• Remote Flying. Many places on earth can only be reached by way of aircraft. Remote or "bush" flying requires that the pilot have special skills in landed in challenging and unpredictable landscapes. These highly specialized pilots often work for government agencies or for international charitable organizations.

Career Opportunities for Managerial and Business Positions

Non-flying positions in aviation are available in airlines, airports, aerospace companies, and governmental aviation agencies.

• Air Traffic Controller. Many aviation science professionals use their multitasking skills in these high profile, high-pressure positions. Often working directly for the Federal Aviation Administrations, air traffic controllers coordinate the takeoffs, holding patterns, and landings of dozens of airplanes simultaneously. These professionals use state of the art equipment to monitor all of the aircraft in range of their landing strip. They assure pilots and passengers of orderly, safe, flight operations. Many air traffic controllers earn annual salaries of $85,000 per year.
  
  
• Safety Inspector. Many pilots and mechanics that want to work more regular schedules can shift into careers as safety inspectors for the Federal Aviation Administration. They ensure that all aircraft meet government and company specifications. Government safety inspectors can earn up to $85,000 per year.
  
  
• Airport Manager. Aviation science graduates can leverage their business skills by running any of our nation's growing airports. Communities of all sizes now manage thriving airports. Each one requires a manager who can navigate complex federal regulations and labor agreements. Managers of larger facilities tend to earn more in base salary, although most airport managers earn annual bonuses based on efficiency and overall performance.
  
  
• Aircraft Maintenance. Aircraft maintenance technicians work with all aspects of an aircraft. Technicians maintain and install engines, airframes, and electrics including the cockpit instruments and radio systems. They are also responsible for the external and structural integrity of the aircrafts including windows, doors, all moveable parts, and sheet metal. Aircraft inspections take place periodically based on the number of hours the aircraft has been in flight or the number of days since the last inspection. The plane is then inspected for safety in parts such as:
  
  • instruments
  • landing gear
  • pressurized sections
  • brakes
  • valves
  • pumps
  • air-conditioning systems
  The annual salary for an experienced aviation maintenance technician is approximately $60,000.

Certification and Licensure

Sociology degree holders seeking careers as high school teachers must meet local and state requirement for certification. Many municipalities require teachers to pursue additional or continuous education to maintain their eligibility.

Professionals seeking careers in social agencies are usually subjected to various background checks and licensure depending on the regulations in their home states.

Explore Related Degree Programs

- Online Degrees in Aviation
- Aerospace Engineering Degrees
- Aircraft & Aviation Training

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