Catalog 2020-21 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Catalog 2020-21 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Aviation Helicopter AAS


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Two-Year Associate of Applied Science Degree

AAS Aviation Helicopter program trains students to work as professional pilots in either the air transportation industry or commercial helicopter industry. Career paths with this degree include the following: commercial pilot, pilot for a private corporation, charter pilot, and flight instructor to new student pilots.

The AAS Aviation Helicopter degree program is designed to produce high-quality graduates who are prepared to enter the field as aviation pilots. This field offers high-wage careers that are global in scope. The degree provides students with the mandatory flight hours along with industry-specified instruction.

Instruction takes place in a one-to-one student-to-instructor learning environment to ensure that students acquire the academic knowledge necessary to be a safe pilot and to pass the FAA knowledge exams. Federal Aviation Regulations 14 CFR parts 61 and 141 set forth the qualifications, testing, and certification requirements for pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Perform calculations required for flight operations.
  • Identify principles of flight pertaining to helicopters.
  • Use communication skills effectively face-to-face and over the radio.
  • Evaluate pilot fitness and proficiency, aircraft airworthiness and capabilities, and environmental conditions prior to each flight.
  • Summarize the test standards and information in order to pass the FAA checkride and obtain: private pilot cert, instrument rating, commercial pilot cert, certified flight instructor cert, and certified flight instructor instrument rating.
  • Explain aviation regulations and how they pertain to airport operating procedures, crew rest requirements, general operating flight rules, and flight operations.

Admission Requirements

Candidates considering the Aviation Helicopter AAS degree should contact the Aviation Program Lead at 541-880-2263. The program has special admission requirements, and the Aviation Program Lead will forward the application to interested candidates. The application has a number of requirements that must be satisfied before the candidate will be admitted into the program. If some of the requirements are not completed, a prospective aviation student may start introductory aviation classes, but a student must be accepted into the program before they can begin ground and flight courses. All applicants who are accepted into the program will receive an orientation.

Program Requirements


The Aviation Program Lead will review candidates’ academic history, transcripts from high school and/or college, and math and writing competency. Candidates will be advised of their next steps regarding their math and writing placement. Next steps may include taking a placement test or immediately enrolling in appropriate courses.

Candidates for the program must satisfactorily complete all requirements, including a minimum of 90 credits, with 21 credits of general education, 55 credits of technical core subjects, and 15 credits of aviation electives.  Successful pursuit of this program requires students to possess collegiate skills in reading, communication, computation, and critical thinking. All courses, with the exception of flight and ground courses, are available online. Students must complete all technical core subject courses (including all flight/ground courses) with a grade of “C” or higher in order to move onto the next flight phase.

Number of credit hours necessary for completion: 90

Required Courses


Student Success


Communications


Oral Communications

Students must select one course to fullfill this general education requirement.

Writing

Students must select one of the following courses to fulfill this general education requirement.

Computation


Students must select one course in this requirement. 4.00 credits

Social Sciences


Students must select one course in this requirement. 3.00 credits

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