College of Agriculture

School of Applies Sciences, Technology and Education

The Aviation Technology – Professional Pilot major prepares students to work for major airlines. Upon graduation from this program, student will have acquired approximately 200-250 hours of flight time. During the freshman and sophomore years, students will complete courses that provide general technological background and skills. The junior and senior years are reserved for concentrated study in flight technology. Students also choose from a specific list of required upper-division directed elective courses. These courses can be used to broaden educational backgrounds and enhance career opportunities. Aviation Technology – Professional Pilot graduates are trained to be commercial pilots. The degree requirements include completion of the following FAA licenses: private, instrument, commercial, CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine.

Students should work closely with their advisor when choosing electives and filling out the necessary matriculation forms. The advisor can be a useful source of information and assistance, but it is the student’s responsibility to seek an advisor’s aid and meet the necessary graduation requirements.  

Admission Requirements For This Major

1. New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major.

2. Transfer students from other institutions need a 2.5 total GPA for admission to this major in good standing.

3. Students transferring from other USU majors need a total GPA of 2.4 in major courses for admission to this major in good standing. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be maintained.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit from accredited U.S. institutions is automatically posted. Posting of credit from U.S. institutions does not imply acceptance as credits toward a degree.

A transfer student and a college academic advisor initiate a petition for acceptance of transfer credits to meet degree requirements (department head and dean must approve). If transfer credit is not from a Utah school, it is the student’s responsibility to provide a catalog or copies of catalog materials (usually available online) to show the content of courses taken.

D grades are not accepted as transfer credit, except from Utah schools where USU is required to do so for general education coursework. 

Transfer credit from foreign and nonaccredited institutions may be used for meeting degree requirements only if posted on the USU record of the student. Courses from accredited institutions having similar content can be transferred and substituted for USU courses shown in the curriculum. Upper-division coursework cannot be transferred from a two-year institution. Flight courses taken in a program other than for college credit cannot automatically be transferred for university credit. If students feel that they already have an understanding of the material taught in the flight classes, they may challenge the courses. See advisor for details.

U.S. FAR 141.77 Limitations C1 and C2 govern the transfer of previous pilot experience to the USU flight program. A student participating in a part 141-approved training course may be given 50 percent of the flight hours previously completed. A student who is enrolled in a part 61-approved training course may transfer up to 25 percent of the previous pilot experience.

Fees

In addition to regular tuition and fees, a special fee will be assessed all flight certification classes listed below. When a student enrolls in each flight certification, the fee is due with tuition payment. Course costs are based on average costs of ratings, and include stage check and FAA check ride fees. All fees are subject to change. For current fee structure, see website at: Flight Certification Fee Outline

Medical Certificates

In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Part 61.3, all professional pilot students are required to obtain an FAA Medical Certificate. There are three classes of medical certificates which students may obtain: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class. Although only a Third Class Medical Certificate is required for student pilot operations at Utah State University, it is highly recommended that students obtain a First Class Certificate, in order to ensure that no medical conditions exist which would disqualify him or her from obtaining one at a later date. Many pilot jobs require a First Class Medical Certificate.

A medical certificate may be obtained from a certified Aviation Medical Examinar (AME). Although the cost varies according to the examiner and the type of physical sought (First, Second, or Third), the cost is approximately $70 to $100. Detailed requirements for each medical class and durations are explained in CFR Title 14, part 67. For further information, contact Flight Operations at (435) 787-1346.