Aviation Science

A.S. Degree

The A.S. degree in aviation science provides the foundation for a career in aviation. The program provides flight instruction and flying experience, which allows you to obtain an associate degree plus a private pilot certificate and instrument rating, a commercial pilot certificate, and an optional flight instructor certificate. Flight instruction* is provided by the East Hill Flying Club, an FAA-approved (Part 141) flight school in Ithaca. The program includes five required aviation science/flight courses along with a variety of liberal arts and science courses.

Pilots are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree to take command of most jetliners. The aviation science degree helps you get started in this rewarding and well-paying career.

*Please note that flight courses involve significant fees above the cost of tuition. See Aviation Admissions.

Career Opportunities
Transfer Options
Degree Requirements
Faculty
Aviation Related Links of Interest

Aditional Aviation Information

Career Opportunities

Demand for trained pilots is becoming intense. For many years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a mandatory retirement age of 60 for most air transport pilots. This is true for all pilots of scheduled airlines. Before the 1980s there was an adequate supply of new pilots entering the field to meet all needs because the armed forces were training a large number of pilots. Now, a majority of senior pilots are approaching mandatory retirement, and the military itself is short of pilots. This, combined with strong growth in air travel, is creating a critical need for pilots.

Transfer Options

Once you complete the aviation science program at TC3, you can transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at one of several four-year colleges or universities offering a related program. Transfer agreements have been formalized with SUNY Farmingdale and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, FL). The agreement with Farmingdale is joint enrollment. These agreements spell out required courses needed for you to transfer as a junior to these institutions.

Program Requirements

First Semester			Credits
AERO	112	Private Pilot – Ground	3
AERO	113	Private Pilot – Flight to Solo	1
CAPS Elective (Data Management)			1
CAPS Elective (Writing/Research)			1
CAPS Elective			1
ENGL	100	Academic Writing I*	3
MATH	135	Pre-Calculus Mathematics	3
METR	101	Introductory Meteorology	3
Total			16

Second Semester			Credits
AERO	114	Private Pilot – Solo to Certificate	2
ENGL	101	Academic Writing II	3
Foreign Language Elective**			3-4
HSTY 101, 102, 201 or 202			3
MATH	201	Calculus I	4
Total			15-16

Third Semester			Credits
AERO	120	Instrument Rating	3
ECON	120	Principles of Microeconomics	3
ENGL	102	Approaches to Literature	3
ENGL	201	Fundamentals of Speech	3
PHSC	104	General Physics	4
Total			16

Fourth Semester			Credits
AERO	210	Commercial Pilot	3
ECON	121	Principles of Microeconomics	3
FITN Elective			1
HLTH	126	Health and Fitness or
HLTH	206	Personal Health	1-3
PHSC	105	General Physics II	4
PSYC	103	Introduction to Psychology	3
Total			15-17

Credits Required for Graduation			62-65

*A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a three credit course that satisfies SUNY GEN ED – The Arts.

**A 200-level foreign language course is recommended.

Aviation Related Links of Interest

Aviation Related Organizations and Services

Government Organizations

Faculty

Kevin Haverlock

Program Chair
Professor

B.S., Le Moyne College; M.B.A., Syracuse University.
E-mail Professor Haverlock

Tompkins Cortland Community College