Aviation Program

Aircraft Operations

Associate of Applied Science: 65 Credits

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Program at a Glance

Degree and credential levels offered :

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Employer partners :

Sample careers graduates pursue :

Airport operations specialist | Air taxi pilot | Air tour pilot | Flight operations coordinator

NOTE: Flight training is optional—it is not required to complete the degree

Location and facilities :

Vaughn campus at 86-01 23rd Avenue, Flushing, New York 11369, adjacent to LaGuardia Airport. Access to flight simulator lab full-motion Redbird simulators)

Accreditations and authorizations :

Curriculum guided by Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements.

Preparing for a Career in Flight Operations

Vaughn’s aircraft operations associate degree program combines the theory and practical application that are needed to begin a career as a commercial pilot. Our strong focus on career preparation exposes students to a wide variety of hands-on training and skill-building that allows them to become successful in their careers. Whether you are flying for the first time, or continuing your experience in flight operations, you are applicable to pursue the aircraft operations degree.

The primary objective of this program is to prepare graduates for entry-level flight operation positions in the aviation industry and aviation-related government agencies. Graduates build the necessary foundation to pursue other aviation programs at Vaughn, including the aircraft operations and aeronautical sciences bachelor’s degrees.

RANKED #1 In upward mobility nationwide

Moving students from the bottom 40% to the top 40% in income^**

8th Best Regional College in New York State

95%

OF VAUGHN GRADUATES

71% in their field—are employed or continue their education within one year^*

Curriculum

What You Will Study

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guides the technical contents of the aircraft operations associate degree curriculum. Vaughn’s FAA-qualified faculty carry out flight simulator training and pilot ground school as part of the program.

Students who are on the path to becoming FAA-certified pilots must meet the requirements of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Students wishing to complete any flight certificates must obtain, at a minimum, a Class III medical certificate from an FAA-examiner prior to undertaking this program in addition to taking practical flight training. Flight training, however, is not required to complete this program. Students often choose to continue what they’ve learned here by moving on to the bachelor’s program, where flight training is required after one year, with a grade point average of 3.0.

Sample Classes

Advanced Aeronautics
Advanced Aircraft Systems for Pilots
Aviation Safety
Aviation Weather
General Aeronautics and Simulator Lab
Intermediate Aeronautics and Simulator Lab

View Curriculum View Courses View Student Outcomes

Careers

Graduates of the aircraft operations (flight) associate degree program can move on to have successful careers in airport operations, fueling/servicing, air taxi service, small aircraft operations and air tour operations.

Vaughn College’s extensive network of alumni in a variety of fields, along with its positive reputation with nearby airports and airlines, has allowed students to pursue both internships during their degree work, and full-time jobs after graduation. Our career services department employs a variety of tools to assist students and alumni in their development as professionals.

How Much Can I Make?

The demand for aviation roles is high, given current workforce shortages. Check out the median annual salaries you can earn in some of the careers attainable with this degree below (located within 100 miles of Queens, New York). (Source: Lightcast)

Where Vaughn Students Land Internships and Careers

From day one, Vaughn students gain hands-on experience through internships and graduate ready to launch careers with top employers.

American Dynamics

Atlas Air, Inc.

Cape Air

Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Express

FlightSafety International

General Electric

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

JetBlue Airways

L3 Airline Academy

NASA

Rashid Petroleum Company

Sikorsky

Talon Air

Textron Aviation

The Washington Consulting Group

United Airlines

Venture Aerobearings

Watertown Airport