Top 7 Pilot Schools
A great level of bravery, skill, and confidence is necessary for piloting an aircraft. Additionally, working in the aviation sector has several advantages, like the chance to travel while making a good living and meeting new people. A skilled pilot must have the capability to respond to an emergency or resolve a crisis swiftly and coolly.
Every passenger on an airplane depends on the pilot for their life; thus, the pilot must be both extremely talented and dependable. According to experts in the field, having a college degree in addition to your aviation qualifications may make you stand out in an interview. To get the best training, you must choose the best pilot college, and here’s a list of the top ones.
Best Pilot Schools in USA
While choosing the best pilot school, you must consider your objectives, the amount of time you want to commit, and the fees you can afford. Here are some of the top pilot schools in the USA with the best features.
1. University of North Dakota
For the standard four-year educational system, the University of North Dakota is regarded as one of the top pilot training institutions in the USA. It is renowned for having the most cutting-edge campus complex in the world and has a first-rate training fleet. The University of North Dakota has conducted several studies on the concept, including ones on air traffic control, flying training, and airport or aviation administration. A commercial pilot’s license gives the option of fixed-wing or helicopter flying instruction.
You will have several employment options after receiving your Professional Flight minor from the UND aviation program, particularly as a career commercial pilot and in allied fields. The graduates have the management and technical abilities to guarantee safe and efficient air travel. You will attend classes at the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, where you will get the training for the program.
You will reach new heights in the aviation industry by working with this outstanding team. An FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings is guaranteed for students who complete the program. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) has granted this program of study in aviation management its accreditation.
2. The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University has been offering aviation courses since 1917. Presently, the curriculum equips graduates for work at airlines and in industries such as cargo aviation, corporate aviation, aviation support systems, flight support and planning, and air transportation management. Students can select electives depending on their interests in addition to the core courses.
The center, which is dedicated to enhancing aviation’s future, focuses on developing the greatest pilots and aviation management, leveraging cutting-edge technology, conducting innovative research, and establishing innovative business models and policies.
Airport administration, air transportation analysis, and flying instruction are all electives. A professional pilot specialty is available to students in the Aviation and Air Transportation programs, and both groups are qualified to participate in flight training.
A PSI FAA Testing Services location, the industry leader in instructional, license, and certification testing, is located at the Ohio State University Airport Flight Education. The Flight Education program has received the FAA Part 141 certification. Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) has accredited the university’s whole aviation program.
3. Purdue University
Three separate programs are available via the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology at Purdue University for individuals seeking to become commercial pilots. The Professional Flight Degree is the best option for students who desire to become flight instructors and airline captains in addition to becoming a pilot.
Typically, it takes five years to get certified as a commercial, private, or executive pilot. For first-year students who meet the requirements, Purdue University’s Main Campus offers a program that will enable them to complete their degrees in three years. Your eligibility for the Certified UAV Operator or CAAP will be assured if you complete Purdue University’s Unmanned Aerial Systems degree.
This certification will qualify you to seek a job at NASA. If you become weary of piloting drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), you may also apply for jobs at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Google, Apple, and more with this certification.
The university also offers a combined BS-MS degree program for those who want to finish the aviation program and become pilots in less than five years. The Aviation Accreditation Board International has granted the professional flying program accreditation.
4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
For aspiring professional pilots, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a top aviation institution that offers BS in Aeronautical Science degree. To obtain the degree and the highly sought-after FAA commercial pilot certificate, students must complete 120 credits within a period of eight semesters. Several engine and instrument ratings are included with the license alone. Additionally, students have the option of pursuing advanced flying training.
The training consists of flight instructor certification, upset instruction, and flight crew member simulator instruction. ERAU has a sizable fleet of aircraft, including Cessna 172s and Diamond DA42s, that are used for flight instruction for students. The Daytona campus of ERAU is also accessible to other potential training locations as well as the Daytona Beach International Airport. Modern flight simulators and visual aids are available in the training facilities to supplement in-flight instruction.
Within four years, the students who do the core courses of flight become confident individuals who are prepared for the workforce. Their abilities to lead under pressure, make decisions, and think critically are also developed via practical training. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has granted Embry Riddle Aeronautical University accreditation to grant associate, bachelor, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
5. United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy offers several airmanship programs. It can provide a thorough and challenging education by being a top-tier school for a military academy. Courses must contend with a comprehensive curriculum that contains liquid mobility, aircraft performance, and aerothermodynamics.
The Academy is one of America’s most alluring aviation schools. The distinctive research initiatives that the Modeling and Simulation Research Center sponsors and in which students can take part.
There are plenty of options to take up a challenge at a higher altitude, from training in the fundamentals of flight, navigation, and operations to practical applications of these ideas through soaring and parachuting courses. Cadets participating in the Airmanship program get the chance to experience live flights and immersive virtual reality simulators.
Aviation 100 is a 10-lesson course designed to introduce students to the basics of powered flight. A basic aerobatics chance is presented after the course’s last four glider flights. A powered flying experience may be available to cadets during their second year of instruction or the summer before their first year.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has approved the U.S. Air Force Academy to award qualifying graduates the Bachelor of Science degree.
6. Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University offers a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Flight Science. The institution provides a top-notch professional program routinely regarded as one of the best in the world. It has one of the most cutting-edge training fleets and equipment accessible in college aviation.
The innovative new curriculum and hands-on training are created to teach the required skills in the airline industry. The programs will prepare students for a future in aviation.
The College of Aviation is dedicated to letting students know about career and internship options. Open to flight science students in aviation who have earned their commercial pilot’s license, instrument rating, and private pilot’s license. Students will get their CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings in addition to having the option to complete the JET program or get a seaplane certification.
The university has partnered with United Airlines, Delta, AAR, and SkyWest to offer students an opportunity to learn about the industry first-hand by connecting with professionals and aviation organizations. Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) has granted the university accreditation. Additionally, WMU facilities for pilot instruction have MDOT permits and FAA certifications.
7. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
One of the quickest programs for prospective commercial pilots is Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology’s 17-month AAS in Aviation Flight program. However, its cutting-edge flight instruction curriculum is a superb starting point for students aiming for FAA certificates and ratings.
Achievable goals for students include the commercial pilot certificate for single- and multi-engine aircraft as well as an instrument rating. With the use of media training tools, conventional classroom methods, and mentorship outside of the classroom, Spartan College’s Flipped Classroom model allows students to learn effectively.
Tests, tutorials, and lessons are all accessible to students via an iPad using specifically created flying software. Assessment exams to measure proficiency are available for each course. Students then go to the flight component, beginning with training tools like Redbird and Frasca simulators.
Before receiving actual flying instruction, simulation experiences are essential for students to master aircraft operations. By participating in supervised flights in one of Spartan’s 40 aircraft, including the Piper Archer, Piper Seminole, and Cessna 172, students gain practical experience in flight operations.
The program sets out 3 to 4 times a week for the scheduled flight instruction. The FAA certification examinations are easily passed by graduates. Many go on to obtain a BS in Technology Management or complete aviation instructor certification training. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has granted the institution accreditation.
Wrapping Up
Pilots have to bear a huge responsibility as the passengers’ lives depend on them during the entirety of the flight. In addition to being able to safely navigate unforeseen storms, pilots must be able to respond to and resolve mechanical failures in aircraft at a moment’s notice. Hence, it is necessary to prepare yourself by getting the proper training to manage the duties efficiently.