What is an Aeronautical Science with
Flight Program Degree?

If you want to be a professional pilot with a strong background in aeronautical science and technology, you can get there with an aeronautical science degree from Florida Tech. Here, you'll develop a strong background in aviation and achieve at least commercial pilot, instrument and multi-engine flight ratings.

Our aeronautical science degree program is dynamic and focused. You'll get started right away, taking core courses like Introduction to Aviation Physiology and Aviation Meteorology as a freshman. Guided by highly accomplished faculty who care about your success, you'll hone your strengths and begin specializing as early as sophomore year.

Your flight training will take you into the skies, giving you the always-in-demand skills it takes to become a professional airplane or helicopter pilot. Flight students benefit from year-round flying weather, state-of-the-art fleets, and ample time in actual aircraft.

Students getting their Aeronautical Science degree may undertake an Air Traffic Control (ATC) concentration. The ATC concentration meets the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program and is FAA approved.

Advantages

Why Florida Tech:

• One of the largest and most respected collegiate aviation programs in the nation
• Benefit from the personal attention of excellent faculty
• Location provides year-round flying conditions
• Recognized as one of the safest flight schools in the U.S.
• 94% of flight training is in actual aircraft, not simulators
• Flight students average 250 - 300 flight hours
• New 12,000 -square-foot flight center
• New and refurbished fleet of Piper aircraft
• Aviation master's and accelerated MBA programs available to graduates
• Strong alumni and employer network

Facilities: The College of Aeronautics faculty and administrative offices, laboratories and academic classrooms are located in George M. Skurla Hall on the main campus in Melbourne, Fla. F.I.T. Aviation LLC conducts flight training at the nearby Melbourne International Airport. Just opened is the new Emil Buehler Flight Center for Aviation Education and Research, home to a 17,600 square-foot hangar and Center for Human Factors research headquarters.

Learning

Clubs and Organizations:

• Collegiate Aviation Business Executives
• Women in Aviation International
• The Falcons Intercollegiate Flight Team
• Alpha Eta Rho

Research: Research interests of professors include human factors, airport management, airport planning and design, and flight training optimization. Professors often involve undergraduate students in their research.

Internships and Cooperative Learning: Because of its long-standing relationships with various airlines and aviation companies, the College of Aeronautics is able to provide students getting an aeronautical science degree with a variety of attractive internship opportunities. Students take internships at nearly every major U.S. airline, shadowing chief pilots or doing work in safety or flight standards and training. The College of Aeronautics has established cooperative relationships with many local companies in order to provide students with enhanced learning experiences both in and outside of the classroom. Companies providing guest speakers, field trip experiences and other opportunities to Florida Tech students include: Avidyne Corporation, Harris Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, Liberty Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Martin Marietta, Northrop Grumman, and United Space Alliance.

Future Outcomes

Outcomes - Grad School: Because Florida Tech is the forerunner of terminal degrees in aviation, students interested in graduate study often choose to pursue a master's degree or doctorate here. Some have gone on to earn degrees at other renowned graduate schools, while others have entered law school both in the United States and abroad. Typical graduate students study aviation human factors, applied aviation safety, airport development and management, and aviation law and business.

Outcomes - Career and Salary: Aeronautical science degree and other graduates of the College of Aeronautics take jobs as airline pilots, airline managers, airport managers or secure positions within various areas of general and commercial aviation at companies including:

• Birk Hillman Airport Consulting Services
• Federal Department of Transportation
• Flight Safety International
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• Four Star Aviation
• Garrett Aviation
• Department of Homeland Security
• ...and countless international airports

Most get their start by logging hours as flight instructors and quickly move on to begin careers as commercial pilots in the world's top airline companies including:

• Air Tran Airways
• American Eagle Airlines
• American Airlines
• Ameriflight
• Continental Express
• Delta
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines Inc.
• United Airlines
• US Airways