
General Aviation PilotRequirements
Begin your journey as a pilot with this aviation associate degree that builds your skills and confidence in concrete steps. Each semester you can earn an aviation certificate and take the FAA certification exam for piloting larger and more complicated aircraft.
The process starts with private pilot flight training that allows you to fly with friends and family. The next semester builds your instrument rating, which teaches you to fly in more difficult weather conditions. The last two semesters cover commercial flight of small aircraft with the option for you to learn multi-engine aircraft. All the while, core and elective classes build your communication and professional skills that are important to any career.
How to get started
Step 1 – Apply
- Apply to Aims Community College
- Select AGS Pre-Aviation as your intended major.
- Apply for Financial Aid if applicable.
Step 2 – Are you a VA or Transfer Student
- If you are a VA Student submit your DD214 and Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office
- If you are a transfer student please have your previous institution send an official transcript to Aims. Learn more on the Transfer Information webpage.
- If you are not a VA Student or a Transfer Student, go to step 3.
Step 3 – New Student Orientation
- Complete the Aims New Student Orientation overview.
Step 4 - ACCUPLACER
- Contact the Testing Center to set an appointment to take the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER test. You will only need to complete the writing and math portions of the test.
Step 5 - Complete the Aviation Application
- Complete the Aims Aviation Application
- Applications must be completed no later than:
- Fall Term: First Monday of April
- Spring Term: First Monday of November
- Summer Term: Aims Aviation does not accept new students for Summer Term
Step 6 - Advising Appointment
- Schedule an advising appointment and make sure to bring your application.
- Contact:
- Ottley Wright | Academic Advisor
- ottley.wright@aims.edu
- (970) 378-3635
Row Groupings | Required Program Courses: | Credits |
---|---|---|
required | AVT 101 - Private Pilot Ground SchoolPrepares student for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single-Engine Land FAA Knowledge Exam. Four credits. |
4 |
required | AVT 102 - Private Pilot FlightFocuses on flight training in preparation for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single-Engine, Land FAA Practical Test, and completing requirements for the Private Pilot Certificate. Four credits. Course Corequisites
AVT 101, or equivalent instruction and approval of department chair.
|
4 |
required | AVT 103 - Intro to Air Traffic ControlFocuses on the history of the Air Traffic Control System, including its structure, function, and operation. Also includes radar operations and the future of the National Airspace System. Three credits. |
3 |
required | AVT 105 - Aviation MeteorologyFocuses on recognition, interpretation and evaluation of atmospheric weather as it relates to and affects aviation. Four credits. |
4 |
required | AVT 108 - GPS for PilotsFocuses on the Global Positioning System and its uses in aviation. One credit. |
1 |
required | AVT 111 - Instrument Pilot Ground SchoolFocuses on preparation for the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam. Four credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 101 and AVT 102 with grades of "C" or better. |
4 |
required | AVT 112 - Instrument Pilot FlightFocuses on flight training in preparation for the Instrument Rating, Single Engine Airplane FAA Practical Test, and completing requirements for the Instrument Rating. Differential tuition rates apply. Four credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 101 and AVT 102 with grades of "C" or better. |
4 |
required | AVT 113 - Instrument Flight TrainerDevelops the skills necessary to operate in IFR conditions, using a single-engine flight trainer. Four credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 101 and AVT 102 with grades of "C" or better. |
4 |
required | AVT 201 - Commercial Pilot Ground SchoolPrepares the student for the Commercial Pilot Airplane, Single-Engine, Land FAA Knowledge Exam. Two credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 101; AVT 102; AVT 112, with a grade of "C" or better. |
2 |
required | AVT 202 - Commercial Flight IThis course is the first of a two-part sequence of flight training in preparation for the Commercial Pilot Certificate, Airplane, Single Engine Land FAA Practical Test. Consists of the cross country aeronautical experience required for the Commercial Certificate. Three credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 101, AVT 102, and AVT 112 with grades of "C" or better. |
3 |
required | AVT 203 - Commercial Flight IIContinuation of flight training in preparation for the Commercial Pilot, Airplane Single Engine Land FAA Practical Test, completing requirements for the Commercial Pilot Certificate. Four credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 202 with a grade of "C" or better. |
4 |
required | AVT 248 - FAA Safety Program ManagementFocuses on initial orientation to the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), introduces the concept of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and provides insight to the management of aviation safety programs. Two credits. |
2 |
Total Required Major Credits | 39 |
Row Groupings | Required General Education Courses: | Credits |
---|---|---|
required | ENG 121 - English Composition I [CO1]Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. May be taken concurrently with CCR 094. Three credits. |
3 |
required | MAT 121 - College Algebra [MA1]Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Four credits. |
4 |
required | PHY 105 - Conceptual Physics w/Lab [SC1]Focuses on mechanics, heat, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism, light and modern physics. Incorporates laboratory experience. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. PHY 105 cannot be applied towards the A.S. degree. Four credits. Course Prerequisites
MAT 055 or higher (except MAT 060, MAT 090, MAT 107, MAT 109, MAT 112, or MAT 175) and CCR 092 or higher with grades of "C" or better |
4 |
Arts & Humanities Course 3 | Arts & Humanities Course: 3 Credits Behavioral & Social Sciences Course: 3 Credits | |
Total Required General Education Credits | 17 |
Row Groupings | Elective Courses: | Credits |
---|---|---|
Elective Courses: | (Choose 5 credits from the following AVT courses, with advisor approval) |
|
required | AVT 116 - ATC PhraseologyIntroduces and emphasizes proper usage of phraseology and flight progress strip preparation in the air traffic control system. Two credits. |
2 |
required | AVT 155 - UAS Flight TrainingIntroduces and develops flight control and piloting techniques for common UAS platforms. Students will learn and demonstrate maneuvers, procedures, and best practices for safe UAS operation on fixed wing and rotary wing unmanned aircraft systems (drones). Three credits. |
3 |
required | AVT 206 - Crew Resource ManagementFocuses on classroom instruction covering human factors/crew resource management (CRM)/single pilot resource management (SRM). Specific topics include aeronautical decision making(ADM), situational awareness, crew coordination, communication, human error, fatigue, fitness, attitudes, training devices, controls, and workload management. Students will learn about and identify human performances that affect aviation in both crew and single pilot environments. One credit. Course Prerequisites
AVT 112 with a grade of "C" or better. |
1 |
required | AVT 207 - Multi-Engine Ground SchoolPrepares the student for the FAA Practical Test for Private or Commercial Pilot, Airplane Multi-Engine Land. One credit. Course Prerequisites
AVT 111, AVT 112, AVT 113, AVT 201, AVT 202, and AVT 203 with grades of "C" or better. |
1 |
required | AVT 208 - Multi-Engine FlightFocuses on flight training in preparation for the Airplane, Multi-Engine Rating and completing requirements for this Rating. One credit. Course Prerequisites
AVT 111, AVT 112, AVT 113, AVT 201, AVT 202, and AVT 203 with grades of "C" or better. |
1 |
required | AVT 209 - Multi-Engine Flight TrainerDevelops the skills necessary to operate in a single-pilot flight environment in IFR conditions, using a multi-engine aircraft flight trainer. Differential tuition rates apply. Two credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 111, AVT 112, AVT 113, AVT 201, AVT 202, and AVT 203 with grades of "C" or better. |
2 |
required | AVT 210 - Multi-Eng Cross-Country FlightFocuses on cross-country flight in multi-engine aircraft. Flights will be conducted to and from high-traffic airports with approach control and tower facilities. All flights will be conducted under instrument flight rules. Differential tuition rates apply. Two credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 208 with a grade of "C" or better. |
2 |
required | AVT 211 - Fundamentals of InstructionFocuses on preparation for the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing Knowledge Exam. Two credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 111, AVT 112, AVT 113, AVT 201, AVT 202, and AVT 203 with grades of "C" or better. |
2 |
required | AVT 212 - Flight Instructr Ground SchoolFocuses on preparation for the FAA Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Exam. Two credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 211 with a grade of "C" or better. |
2 |
required | AVT 213 - Flight Instructor FlightFocuses on flight training in preparation for the Flight Instructor Airplane, Single-Engine Land FAA Practical Test, completing requirements for the Flight Instructor Certificate. One credit. Course Prerequisites
AVT 211 and AVT 212 with grades of "C" or better. |
1 |
required | AVT 227 - Aircraft SystemsFocuses on basic transport-category aircraft systems. Three credits. Course Prerequisites
AVT 201 with a grade of "C" or better. |
3 |
required | AVT 236 - Tail Wheel Transition FlightFocuses on flight training in preparation to receive the Tail-Wheel Endorsement from a Certificated Flight Instructor. Differential tuition rates apply. One credit. Course Prerequisites
AVT 101 and AVT 102 with grades of "C" or better. |
1 |
Total Elective Credits | 5 |
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree | 61 |
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Degree at a Glance
Degree Type
Associate of Applied ScienceLocation
Credits
61Tuition*
*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates