Professional Piloting

Offering an associates degree and a bachelor's degree emphasis, UAA's Professional Piloting program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the aviation industry as airplane pilots. Theory and flight training is provided through a Federal Aviation Administration FAR Part 141 approved flight-training program. Once a student has begun study toward a declared major, all flight training must be completed through the UAA flight training program. Motion-based flight-training devices and simulators with sophisticated visual capabilities are incorporated into the program. A faculty composed of aviation professionals with extensive industry experience provides outstanding instruction in this program.

Credit may be awarded for previous flight training upon successful completion of a flight check with an FAA-designated examiner. FAA certificates and ratings required for both the associate and bachelor's degrees include Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot certificates and the Instrument Pilot Rating. Advanced certification courses include CFI, CFII, MEI and MEII. 

A student transferring previously earned certificates and ratings into the program must complete a minimum of one advanced flight course for the associate degree and two advanced flight courses for the bachelor's degree. Those outside the degree programs may also take individual non-flying courses to improve individual technical skills or to enhance career development.

Professional Piloting - Associate of Applied Science

Professional pilots need knowledge of aerodynamics, aircraft engine and system operation, aircraft operating limitations and performance, weather and atmospheric processes, and navigation and communication methods. This degree program prepares graduates for careers in professional flying.

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in instrument pilot and commercial pilot knowledge and flight skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation law and regulations, and of the legal issues affecting the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues affecting aviation safety and safety management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation weather and of aviation weather services.
  

This is a two-year degree requiring 63-64 credits to complete, 15 of which also meet AAS general degree requirements. For a full program listing, please download our full list of courses required for the associate degree [PDF].

Professional Piloting - Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology, Professional Piloting

Professional pilots need knowledge of aerodynamics, aircraft engine and system operation, aircraft operating limitations and performance, weather and atmospheric processes, and navigation and communication methods. This degree program prepares graduates for careers in professional flying and management. The Special Considerations and Academic Progress Requirements contained in the A.A.S. Professional Piloting also apply to this emphasis area.

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in instrument pilot and commercial pilot knowledge and flight skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation law and regulations, and of the legal issues affecting the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues affecting aviation safety and safety management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of aviation weather and of aviation weather services.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the aviation industry.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of flight instructing techniques and procedures.

This is a four-year degree requiring 122 credits to complete, including General Education Requirements for baccalaureate degrees and aviation-specific courses. (See the current catalog for more information on UAA GERs.) 

For a full listing of courses required for the bachelor's degree, download the degree checklist and suggested degree sequence, both in PDF format; these documents will be useful for discussing your academic plans with our adviser.

U.S Citizens: The U.S. Transportation Security Agency requires that students must present verification of U.S. citizenship before beginning any flight or airplane simulator training. The following three methods are acceptable: an unexpired U.S. passport, an original or raised-seal official copy of a U.S. birth certificate, or an original or raised-seal official copy of a Certificate of Naturalization.

Non-U.S. Citizens: Students from outside the U.S. interested in taking flying or simulator courses at UAA should contact our Flight Operations office for information on registration procedures. Call 907.786.7239 or e-mail anblg@uaa.alaska.edu.