Aircraft Operations, BS

This degree program is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and Vaughn College is a FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school.

The bachelor’s degree in Aircraft Operations qualifies the graduate for the eventual attainment of the FAA Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certification with as little as 1,000 hours of flying experience. Degree certifications and ratings include Private Pilot Certification, Instrument-Airplane Rating, Commercial Pilot Certification, Certificated Flight Instructor with Airplane Single-Engine rating (CFI), and CFI with Instrument-Airplane rating (CFII). To be eligible for the FAA R-ATP, the associated required courses as well as ground and flight training for the Instrument-Airplane rating and Commercial Pilot certification must be completed at Vaughn, and our FAA approved contracted flight school.

Upon entry to this program, it is required that students have the following by the first date of class: (1) AN FAA Class I medical certificate mis strongly recommended, (2) Financial Clearance for all applicable licenses and (3) FTSP (TSA) Clearance if necessary.

To advance through the program, students must obtain a minimum of a “B” in FLT 101 , FLT 102 , FLT230, FLT 360 , FLT 470 , FLT 471  along with associated required LABS. Both FLT 120  and FLT 330  have mandatory attendance requirements as well as a minimum course grade requirement of “B”, and 80% on the required FAA Stage/EOC Exams.  Each of the flight education courses at Vaughn must be concurrent with the following flight courses that are taught at our partner Part 141 Flight School: FLT101C, FLT120B, FLT330C, FLT 473 , FLT 474 .  Students in this program are eligible to participate in ATC certificate training. The Aircraft Operations BS program requires a Capstone course, internship or degree project.

FAA CERTIFICATIONS: PART 141 PILOT SCHOOL AND RESTRICTED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (RATP)

The FAA has issued a letter of authorization recognizing that Vaughn College flight courses, specifically FLT 120 , Instrument Rating, and FLT330, Commercial License, are being conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 141, and therefore are certified by the FAA as a Pilot Ground School. When taken in conjunction with our partner Part 141 flight school the coursework provided under the BS in Aircraft Operations constitute complete Part 141 training.

Consequently, Vaughn has also achieved recognition by the FAA for a level of academic instruction which complies with Advisory Circular (AC) 61-139. The College is therefore granted the authority to certify that graduates who have successfully completed specific aviation courses identified in this catalog (as well as the FAA letter of authorization) as (RATP credit) for a restricted privileges Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. Bachelor’s Degree graduates with 60 or more RATP credits will receive a 500-hour reduction in the ATP required hours, down to 1,000 hours required for an ATP. Qualifying graduates should request this RATP Certification for inclusion on the student’s transcript prior to graduation.

Program Objectives

The program educational objectives are intended to produce versatile aviation graduates who:

1. Are successful in their chosen career path. They will be able to obtain positions which require detailed technical knowledge and skills in the operation and management of aircraft.
2. Pursue graduate study and professional education.
3. Conduct themselves as responsible members of society through involvement in their community and engagement in their profession.

Program Educational Goals

Our goal is to:

1. Develop aviation professionals with exceptional knowledge, skills and values. Graduates will be highly educated, technically proficient, safety-oriented and business-minded.
2. Develop aviation professionals that advance global aviation. Graduates will have a global perspective and embrace diverse cultures and ideas. Graduates will recognize historical trends, current issues and emerging opportunities.
3. Develop aviation professionals that aspire to lead. Graduates will champion integrity, cultivate professional and personal growth opportunities, subscribe to a philosophy of lifelong learning, and lead by serving others.

Student Learning Outcomes

4. Conduct aviation operations in a professional, safe and efficient manner.Describe historical trends, current issues and emerging opportunities in aviation.Apply effective oral and written communication skills to function effectively in the aviation environment.
5. Articulate the value of integrity, lifelong learning and building diverse teams in serving and leading others.
6. Possess the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to competently and ethically function as a professional pilot in the aviation industry
7. Apply knowledge of business sustainability to aviation operations issues.

Restricted Privileges ATP Certificate

The Aircraft Operations degree qualifies for the attainment of the FAA Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certification with as little as 1,000 hours of flying experience. Ground and flight training for the commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating must be completed at Vaughn College to be R-ATP eligible. Graduates of the Aircraft Operations and Aviation Management degree with at least 60 credit hours of FAA-approved coursework, per Vaughn College’s FAA R-ATP Letter of Authorization, will need a minimum of 1,000 hours total time to meet the requirements of FAR 61.160. Aircraft Operations graduates with less than 60 credit hours but at least 30 credits of FAA-approved coursework, per Vaughn College’s FAA R-ATP Letter of Authorization, will need a minimum of 1,250 hours total time to meet the requirements of FAR 61.160 for an R-ATP. Your Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) Certifying Statement will be entered on your Vaughn’s Official Transcript. Note: Per the FAA, academic credit and flight training conducted outside of Vaughn College will not count toward the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate requirements unless from an approved college on the FAA’s Institutional Authority List.

Flight Fees

Flight lab courses have an associated flight fee established by the School of Aviation prior to the start of the academic year. Flight fees cover aircraft, flight simulation, flight instructor and FAA knowledge exam fees at our approved Part 141 Flight School. The training hours and fees outlined in the Vaughn College Student Handbook are the minimum to complete a flight lab course. Students requiring additional instruction will incur additional flight lab fees. Unexpected large changes in fuel prices may necessitate the addition of a fuel surcharge for all training airplane usage.

Admissions, Standards and Requirements

Eligibility for admissions to Aircraft Operations is determined by the Vaughn College University Admissions Office on the basis of the candidate’s test scores and previous academic record. Aircraft Operations students must earn a grade of at least B in all courses in the major and maintain a minimum 2.50 overall GPA. The Instrument Ground (FLT 120 ) and Commercial Ground (FLT 330 ) require a “B” average on all exams as well as the Stage Exams. The Aircraft Operations curriculum is designed for progressive development of flight knowledge and skills, and students who earn less than a C will not be allowed to progress to the next course. A course in which a student earns a grade less than a C may be repeated one time only. Successful completion of the repeated course will result in the student being allowed to continue to progress through the Aircraft Operations degree curriculum. Students who earn a grade less than C in two or more Aircraft Operations major courses, or maintain an overall GPA below 2.50, will be considered for dismissal from the program.

Transfer Students

Transfer students (external and internal) may enter the Aircraft Operations program during fall or spring semester and will be accepted on a space-available basis as determined by the department chair. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is required. Transfer students accepted into the program should anticipate that it will still take a minimum of six semesters to complete the program.

Advanced Credit for Pilot Certification

Per the Aircraft Operations curriculum model, students may earn advanced credit for pilot certification/rating upon evidence of the FAA pilot certificate/rating at enrollment. Evidence consists of the certificate and the knowledge and skills required to exercise the flight privileges associated with the certificate. To receive advance standing credit for pilot certification/rating earned elsewhere, a student must pass a 25-question general knowledge written exam administered by their assigned flight instructor and pass a proficiency flight check to Vaughn College University’s End-Of-Course standard for the corresponding FAA certificate/rating. To be considered for advanced credit, incoming students must have their certificates/ratings completed prior to matriculation into Vaughn College. Note: Per the FAA, academic credit and flight training conducted outside of Vaughn College will not count toward the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate requirements unless from an approved college on the FAA’s Institutional Authority List.

Orientation for Incoming Students

Incoming Aircraft Operations students:

1. Must bring an original birth certificate (with the raised seal) and a government- issued photo identification or your current passport to the college. The Transportation Security Administration requires pilot schools to keep a copy on file for every student pilot.
2. Must obtain a recommended FAA 1st Class Medical Certificate before classes begin. Students will not be allowed to register for a flight block without a current medical certificate. Be sure you carefully proof all information on your student pilot
3. Must have all financial aid in order to begin your flight lessons.
4. Failure to complete all of the above may result in reassignment to a different program as flight lessons are contingent on fulfilling the above requirements as well as a condition for an Aircraft Operations Degree,

Student Life

Major coursework for the Aircraft Operations degree starts in the freshman year with ground school and flight education courses for the Private Pilot Certificate, or the next certification or rating if the Private Pilot Certificate has already been attained. Students seeking course credit for pilot certification/ratings held at the time of enrollment will take a knowledge and practical test supervised by the Chief Flight Instructor and then begin their next certificate/rating.

In addition to flight courses, students take college core curriculum courses that promote development of analytical and critical thinking skills, communication skills, and mathematical skills to prepare for the 21st century workforce. Students should get involved with a student organization such as the Wings Club, and Women in Aviation, to begin connecting with other students, alumni and industry professionals.

In the sophomore year, students complete the next pilot certificate or rating, and continue taking courses from the university core curriculum. Students who fly during the summer semesters will be able to advance their flight education and ratings and may become a CFI by their junior year.

As seniors, students continue to advance their flight education and ratings and should consider running for an officer position in a student organization to develop leadership skills in the aviation environment. Students pursue flight operations internships to build professional experience and networks. Students who earn their CFII rating may flight instruct and will build flight hours while getting paid if they meet the requirements of our Part 141 Flight School. Students complete their coursework and begin the job interview process. Graduate school is an option for those wishing to continue their education.

Equipment

Vaughn College’s Part 141 flight school maintains the following flight training aircraft fleet which consists of 12-Cessna 172S Skyhawks with Aspen E5 Digital PFD, Garmin 430/650 IFR GPS, and 1-Beechcraft Duchess (BE76) Twin. Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs) include Redbird Simulators with Garmin 430/530 GPS.

The college also maintains the following in our $1-million flight simulator lab which features the following training devices for both aviation and Air Traffic Control.

• Vaughn’s two Redbirds, the industry’s newest motion simulators. The Redbird’s FMX motion platform manipulates your sense of balance, simulating actual roll, pitch and yaw motions. From varying weather conditions to equipment failures, these new simulators not only provide a wide range of training scenarios, but they’re also approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, so you can log the simulator hours you need to earn your license.
• The FRASCA 241 simulates a Cessna 172-the general aviation standard in aircraft. This simulator features a fully enclosed flight deck with 220-degree wraparound visuals. All flight deck controls, panels, knobs and switches and other components are of the size, placement and functionality of a real aircraft. Vaughn also maintains a Frasca 142 in this complex that can be configured as a single or twin engine.
• Our CRJ-200 simulator, which simulates the Canadair two-engine fan jet and is a great transition from the stationery FRASCA and full-motion Redbird reciprocating engines to jet engines.
• Regarding Air Traffic Control Vaughn College has selected UFA, Inc., a leading provider of air traffic control (ATC) simulation and voice technologies, to provide the ATTower® and ATCoach® products for its new, state-of-the-art radar and tower training facility. With a five-channel, high definition, LCD based ATTower training simulator, Vaughn students will experience a “real world” airport environment with aircraft, ground vehicles, wildlife, and simulated weather conditions. For en route and approach radar training, Vaughn implemented a 5-position ATCoach radar simulator. ATCoach provides a comprehensive and high-fidelity simulation for both en route and approach air space.

Accreditation

The Aircraft Operations degree is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI), the organization responsible for academic accreditation of aviation and aerospace educational programs.