Students completing the AAS in Aviation will have all credentials required to pursue a career as a professional pilot. The program offers in-depth training in all stages of pilot certification: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot. The program also offers classroom training in Aircraft Systems, Advanced Navigation Systems, Aviation Safety, Flight Instructor/ Aircraft Theory, and Aviation Regulations and Professional Conduct.

Outcomes: Graduates with an AAS in Aviation are prepared to:

•  Apply knowledge in aviation to adapt to emerging aviation trends.
  
• Conduct themselves professionally and ethically.
• Understand and analyze the role of aviaton safety and human factors in the aviation industry.
• Describe meteorology as it relates to aviation.
• Independently fly and safely operate airplanes for which they are rated.
  
• Demonstrate an understanding and the appropriate application of aeronautical principles, design characteristics, and operational limitation for a variety of aircraft, as it relates to the student's career goals.
  
• Communicate effectively using both written and verbal skills.
• Demonstrate proficiency in math computation for aviation and modern society.
• Demonstrate effective skills in the use of computers and aviation-related technology.

Job opportunities range from high-profile occupations as pilots for national carriers to less well-known, but in demand work as pilots for cargo services, air taxis, media aircraft, and corporate jets. Students who combine the AAS with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field will be especially competitive in the Aviation job market.

Completion of the AAS in Aviation requires that students contract with a flight school recommended by the Aviation MSUGF Advisory Council to complete the flight training leading to their Private pilot, Commercial pilot, and Instrument certificates. Upon submission of these certificates the student will receive credit for the following courses.

• AST 142 - Private Pilot (50 flight hours) 2 credits
• AST 242 - Commercial/Instrument I (75 flight hours) 2 credits
• AST 252 - Commercial/Instrument II (125 flight hours) 3 credits
  

Students may enter the program having already completed flight training. If they have not completed flight training, the sequencing of courses in this outline is highly recommended.

FAA medical certificates are issued by FAA designated Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs), and are required by all pilots who operate aircraft. You may find the names, addresses, and phone numbers of AMEs in your area at the FAA website www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/ or you may contact the MSU-GF aviation director for more information. Fees for FAA medical exams can range from $90-$120 depending on your location. A student enrolled in the Aviation Science Technology program must obtain at least a Class II medical certificate before his or her first training flight.

This program articulates with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. For details contact Ryan Haskins, Program Director for Aviation Technology, 406-994-6151, rhaskins@msugf.edu, or Dan Hargrove, Director of Aviation at Rocky Mountain College, 406-657-1060, aviation@rocky.edu.