School of Aviation

The School of Aviation offers two undergraduate degrees accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International: Aviation Management and Professional Flight.  

• The Aviation Management Degree focuses on the business knowledge needed for success in the airline and aviation industries, emphasizing general management and a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of aviation operations.
• The Professional Flight Degree offers a quality aviation education that provides a solid foundation of aeronautical knowledge and piloting skills expected by professional aviation organizations and necessary for success in the aviation industry.

The School of Aviation offers one minor:  

• Aviation Management

The School of Aviation offers an undergraduate certificate with the College of Human Sciences:  

• Aviation Hospitality Management Certificate

Curriculum in Aviation Management

The Aviation Management degree contains an embedded general business minor and 12 hours of free electives to tailor the degree to individual career aspirations.

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General Business Minor is embedded in the Aviation Management Degree.  Students must declare this minor no later than their sophomore year. 

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Students enrolled in the University Honors College may enroll in the Honors equivalents of any of the core options. 

¹

PHIL 1020 may substitute for PHIL 1040.

²

BUSI 3250 may substitute for ECON 2030

³

Approved AVMN Directed Electives (one of the two AVMN Directed Electives must be at 3000-level or above):

• AVMF 2150 Principles of Private Flight (3 hrs)
• AVMF 4400 Applied Aerodynamics and Propulsion Systems (3 hrs)
• AVMG 3500 Airport Operations (3 hrs)
• AVMG 3710 Stress Management in Aviation (3 hrs)
• AVMG 4040 Business Aviation Management (3 hrs)
• AVMG 4140 Airport Planning and Design (3 hrs)
• AVMG 4920 Internship in Aviation Management (3 hrs)
• AVMG 5170 Airline Management (3 hrs)
• ENGL 3080 Business Writing (3 hrs)
• HIST 3070 History of US Air Power (3 hrs)
• HIST 3500 History of Aviation (3 hrs)
• HIST 5580 The History of Flight (3 hrs)
• HRMN 3420 Human Resource Management (3 hrs)
• HRMN 4430 Labor Relations (3 hrs)
• HRMN 5480 Labor Relations Law (3 hrs)
• INSY 3020 Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (3 hrs)
• ISMN 5370 Project Management (3 hrs)
• MNGT 3460 Organizational Behavior (3 hrs)

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Admissions, Standards, and Requirements

Eligibility for admission to the Aviation Management program is determined by the Auburn University Admissions Office on the basis of the candidate’s test scores and previous academic record.

Transfer Students

Transfer students (external and internal) may enter the Aviation Management program during any semester.

Curriculum in Professional Flight

Auburn University is a FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school. Flight operations are conducted at the Auburn University Regional Airport (KAUO), located less than three miles from campus.  

The Professional Flight degree qualifies the graduate for the eventual attainment of the FAA Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certification with as little as 1,000 hours of flying experience. Degree certifications and ratings include Private Pilot Certification, Instrument-Airplane Rating, Commercial Pilot Certification, and Multi-Engine Rating. Certificated Flight Instructor with Airplane Single-Engine rating (CFI), CFI with Instrument-Airplane rating (CFII), and CFI with Multi-Engine rating (MEI) courses are also available. Initial Commercial Pilot certification (AVMF 2261, AVMF 2271, and AVMF 4271) MUST be completed at Auburn. Ground and flight training for Private Pilot and Instrument Rating-Airplane completed at another FAA-approved Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) may be applied towards FAA R-ATP reduced hours eligibility. Students enrolled in flight training coursework at Auburn must register for and complete all current and subsequent AVMF courses at Auburn.

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*

Students enrolled in the University Honors College may enroll in the Honors equivalents of any of the core options. 

¹

PHIL 1020 may substitute for PHIL 1040.

Additional Program Specifications for Professional Flight Curriculum

1. Advanced Placement credit may be granted only for Private Pilot and Instrument Rating Airplane certifications upon evidence of the FAA pilot certificate/rating held at the time of enrollment and upon satisfactory completion of applicable aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency evaluations.
2. Initial Commercial Pilot certification (AVMF 2261, AVMF 2271, and AVMF 4271) MUST be completed at Auburn.
3. Ground and flight training for Private Pilot and Instrument Rating-Airplane completed at another FAA-approved Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) may be applied towards FAA R-ATP reduced hours eligibility.
4. Students enrolled in flight training coursework at Auburn must register for and complete all current and subsequent AVMF courses at Auburn.

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Admissions, Progression Standards, and Requirements

Eligibility for admission to the Professional Flight program is determined by the Auburn University Admissions Office on the basis of the candidate’s test scores and previous academic record.

Transfer Students

Transfer students (external and internal) may enter the Professional Flight program during Fall or Spring semester and will be accepted on a space-available basis as determined by the school director. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.70 is required.

Progression

Students must earn a grade of at least C in all courses in the major and maintain a minimum 2.70 institutional GPA. The Professional Flight curriculum is designed for progressive development of flight knowledge and skills, and students who earn less than a C will not be allowed to progress to the next course. A course in which a student earns a grade less than a C may be repeated one time only. Successful completion of the repeated course will result in the student being allowed to continue to progress through the Professional Flight degree curriculum. Students who earn a grade less than a C in two or more Professional Flight major courses or maintain an institutional GPA below 2.70, will be required to meet with the school director and may be considered for dismissal from the program.

Flight Fees

Flight lab courses have an associated flight fee established by the School of Aviation prior to the start of the academic year. Flight fees cover aircraft, flight simulation, flight instructor, and FAA knowledge exam fees. (VA students are responsible for FAA Certification exam fees.) The training hours and fees outlined below are the minimum to complete a flight lab course, based on the FAA-approved training course outline (TCO). Students requiring additional instruction will incur additional flight lab fees. Unexpected large changes in fuel prices may necessitate the addition of a fuel surcharge for all training airplane usage. Fuel prices are subject to change from term to term.

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 2171	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Training Airplane (ASEL)	$252.00	30	-	$7,560.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	20	-	$1,200.00
Pre/Post-Flight Briefing Professional Fee	$60.00 -	13.5 -	- -	$810.00 $125.00
			Total	$9,695.00
AVMF 2181
Training Airplane (ASEL)	$252.00	22	-	$5,544.00
Training Airplane (ASEL)	$192.00		6	$1,152.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	2	-	$230.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	12	-	$720.00
Pre/Post-Flight Briefing Professional Fee	$60.00 -	10.5 -	- -	$630.00 $125.00
FAA Certification Fee	-	-	-	$250.00
			Total	$8,651.00

Private Pilot Certification (ASEL)
Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $18,346.00

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 2241	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Training Airplane (ASEL)	$252.00	14	-	$3,528.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	11	-	$1,265.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	14	-	$840.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing Professional Fee	$60.00 -	12.5	- -	$750.00 $125.00
			Total	$6,508.00
AVMF 2251
Training Airplane (ASEL)	$252.00	30	-	$7,560.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	5	-	$575.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	18	-	$1,080.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing	$60.00	9.5	-	$570.00
Professional Fee FAA Certification Fee	- -	- -	-    -	$125.00 $250.00
			Total	$10,160.00

​Instrument Rating - Airplane
Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $16,668.00

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 2261	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Training Airplane (AEL)	$252.00	46	-	$11,592.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	4	-	$460.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	30	-	$1,800.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing Professional Fee	$60.00 -	16.5 -	- -	$990.00 $125.00
			Total	$14,967.00
AVMF 2271
Training Airplane	$252.00	35	-	$8,820.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	20	-	$1,200.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing Professional Fee	$60.00 -	11.0 -	- -	$660.00 $125.00
			Total	$10,805.00
AVMF 4271
Training Airplane (AMEL)	$435.00	30	-	$13,050.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	5	-	$575.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	16	-	$960.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing	$60.00	12	-	$720.00
Professional Fee FAA Certification Fee	- -	- -	- -	$125.00 $250.00
			Total	$15,680.00

Commercial Pilot Certification, Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL)

Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $41,452.00                                                                     

Note: This course is only for students who hold a commercial pilot certificate, single-engine rating.

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 4271	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Training Airplane (AMEL)	$435.00	30	-	$13,050.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	5	-	$575.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	16	-	$960.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing	$60.00	12	-	$720.00
Ground Training	$60.00	15		$900.00
Professional Fee FAA Certification fee	- -	- -	- -	$125.00 $250.00
			Total	$16,580.00

Flight Instructor Certification, Airplane Single-Engine (ASE)
Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $10,888.00

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 4281	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Training Airplane (ASEL)	$252.00	29	-	$7,308.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	1	-	$115.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	38	-	$2,280.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing	$60.00	13.5	-	$810.00
Professional Fee FAA Certification Fee	- -	- -	- -	$125.00 $250.00
			Total	$10,888.00

Additional Airplane Class Rating, Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL)
Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $16,580.00

Note: This course is only for students who hold a commercial pilot certificate, single engine rating.

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 4351	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Flight Training	$252.00	20	-	$5,040.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	22	-	$1,320.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing	$60.00	9.5	-	$570.00
Ground Training	$60.00	15	-	$900.00
Professional Fee FAA Certification Fee	- -	- -	- -	$125.00 $250.00
			Total	$8,205.00

Flight Instructor Certification, Instrument-Airplane (IA)
Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $8,205.00

AU COURSE		FLIGHT TRAINING		COST
AVMF 4371	Hourly Rate	Dual	Solo
Flight Training (AMEL)	$435.00	30	-	$13,050.00
Flight Simulation	$115.00	5	-	$575.00
Oral Discussion	$60.00	16	-	$960.00
Pre/Post Flight Briefing	$60.00	12	-	$720.00
Ground Training	$60.00	20	-	$1,200.00
Professional Fee FAA Certification Fee	- -	- -	- -	$125.00 $250.00
			Total	$16,880.00

Flight Instructor Certification, Airplane Multi-Engine (AME)
Minimum Total FAA Certification Cost: $16,880.00

Flight Instruction Lab Enrollment

Students may not enroll themselves in a flight instruction lab and may only be enrolled in a flight instruction lab by the Professional Flight Academic Advisor. Additionally, students may not enroll in the next sequential flight instruction lab until successful completion of the previous lab. 

If a student completes a flight instruction lab from a previously enrolled term before the last day of the flight block, the student may not begin the next flight lab during that same term, unless approved by the appropriate individuals. (VA students are not allowed to be enrolled in flight courses prior to the last day to withdraw from the term.)

With the approval of the (1) Professional Flight Academic Advisor, (2) the Chief Flight Instructor, (3) and the Director, School of Aviation, students may be added to classes after the 15th class day (in the full semester), but prior to the Last Day to Withdraw date as published in the Auburn University Academic Calendar.

If not approved, students must wait until the next term to begin and participate in their next flight lab.

Flight Instruction Lab Structure

Students are required to submit their semester schedule to the Professional Flight Academic Advisor after the student has registered for all their academic courses. Flight instruction labs are assigned to students by the Professional Flight department who will then review student schedules and select which flight instruction lab best suits the student’s needs.

AU Flight instruction labs are typically offered in 2-hour increments on either (1) Monday, Wednesday, Friday or (2) Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. These scheduled flight labs are structured to provide course completion by the end of the registered term.

Priority Enrollment

Per VA Regulations, Veterans receive Priority Registration. Additionally, both the flight instruction lab and student classification (Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman) are taken into consideration when determining “priority” enrollment. Students who are registered in Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) courses are next, following in sequential order down to students enrolled in Private Pilot courses. 

Flight Instruction Lab Attendance

Attendance for flight instruction labs is mandatory. Unexcused absences, attending lessons unprepared, or repeated late-shows may result in monetary penalties, grade penalties, and can jeopardize a student’s enrollment status in the AU Professional Flight program. 

A Safety Meeting, held during the first 5 days of the start of each semester term, must be attended by all AU Professional Flight students. Since attendance is mandatory for students participating in flight instruction labs, a student will be considered to have “started” their respective flight instruction lab on the date the meeting is held; provided (1) the student attended the Safety Meeting and (2) is registered for a flight instruction lab that begins on the first day of the semester term.  

Students who begin a flight instruction lab during one of the allowed sections built within the term are also required to begin the flight instruction lab within 5 days of the first day the section is offered. Since the Safety Meeting is held before the section’s first day, attendance of the Safety Meeting does not count as starting the flight instruction lab. Student progression through Flight Instruction Labs is tracked through the Professional Flight department's flight training software. This software system not only indicates when a student is scheduled to begin a flight instruction lab, but also shows a date/time stamp of each flight instruction lesson or lab.  

Flight Instruction Lab Make-Up Policy 

Flight Instruction labs may be canceled for reasons both in and out of a student’s control. Reasons outside of a student’s control include weather, aircraft maintenance, and flight instructor availability. If a student misses a scheduled flight lab for one of these reasons, the student is expected to contact their Flight Instructor by email prior to their next scheduled flight lab to determine how the canceled flight lab may be made up. 

In some cases, students may know in advance they will be absent for an assigned flight instruction lab. In these situations, the student must submit a completed Absence Notification Form to the AU Professional Flight department in accordance with departmental policies. The Absence Notification Form will be reviewed and determined as excused or unexcused. 

If a student does not notify the AU Professional Flight department that they will miss an assigned flight instruction lab, the student will be charged a no-show fee. If a student misses a scheduled flight instruction lab more than 3 times for non-approved reasons, the student may be withdrawn from their current course. The student may also be reviewed for dismissal from the AU Professional Flight program. 

Flight Instruction Lab Course Incompletes

Flight Instruction Labs are designed to be completed within a designated term. Student progression, however, is subject to both uncontrollable factors (weather, aircraft maintenance, and flight instructor availability) and controllable factors (student performance). To record a student’s Standards of Progress, a grade is assigned at the completion of the term, regardless of if the student has successfully finished the course. A grade of “NR” (Not Recorded) is assigned to the course if the student has not completed the course by the end of the assigned term. 

If the student has not completed the Flight Instruction Lab by the end of the registered term, they may continue flying for course completion. Planned training hours and fees for each Flight Instruction Lab are based on the FAA-approved Training Course Outline (TCO). Students requiring additional instruction beyond those hours listed in the TCO will incur additional flight instruction lab fees that exceed the minimum required to complete the course. Once the student has completed the course, the AU Professional Flight department will follow Auburn University’s Grade Change Policy, changing the “NR” grade to the applicable letter grade. 

Federal VA Students in the Professional Flight Program 

The Alabama State Approving Agency (SAA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have approved Federal VA funding for Auburn University’s Professional Flight and Aviation Management degree-programs. Under Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®, the VA will cover the costs affiliated with Flight Instruction and required Ground School fees up to maximum reimbursement limits. Flight Instruction fees include aircraft and flight simulation fees, flight instructor fees, and FAA aeronautical knowledge tests. VA students are responsible for any FAA aeronautical knowledge test fees.

Students utilizing Federal VA Education benefits must (1) ensure they are registered for a Flight Instruction Lab prior to flying and (2) they are cleared by the School of Aviation to begin flying. Courses started after the 5^thday of the posted term will be prorated per VA Policy with the remaining amount being the financial responsibility of the student. Only degree-applicable courses will be certified to the VA by Auburn University’s School Certifying Officials (SCO). 

Per VA regulations, VA students may not be enrolled in multiple Flight Instruction Labs during the same registered term. If a student is enrolled in two or more flight instruction labs during the same registered term, the VA considers this as “Front Loading.” Front loading violates VA regulations as the VA will only cover affiliated costs of one flight instruction lab per term.  

If a student utilizing Federal VA education benefits fails to adhere to Auburn University and VA Policies and Regulations, the student may be financially responsible for all flight related charges. NOTE: The VA will ONLY cover the published amount listed in the Auburn University Bulletin and will NOT pay for any overage amounts/fees such as additional training like Proficiency or Review flights. If a student accrues any additional fees past the amount approved by the SAA, the financial responsibility is on the student.

Additional information regarding VA education benefits is available in the Auburn University Veterans Resource Center (VRC). Please contact them at (334) 844-8167, veterans@auburn.edu or online at veterans.auburn.edu.

Lastly, please refer to the AU Flight Operations Manual (FOM) for additional information about the AU Professional Flight program.  

Majors

• Aviation Management
• Professional Flight

Minors

• Aviation Management

Undergraduate Certificates

• Aviation Hospitality Management

School of Aviation

• BAILEY, RICH, Instructor
• BAUGHMAN, REBECCA, Lecturer
• BILLINGSLEA, WILLIE, Lecturer
• BIRDSONG, JAMES, Assistant Professor and Interim Director, School of Aviation
• CEYNOWA, WAYNE, Chief Flight Instructor, Director of Flight Operations
• CHESSER, RUSS, Lecturer
• ESPOSITO, PAUL, Adjunct Instructor and Director, Veteran's Resource Center
• FOWLER, ELTON, Professor of Practice
• GLIDEWELL, JILL, Instructor
• HARRELL, DAVID, Instructor
• HARRIS, MARTIN, Instructor
• HOPKINS III, JOHN, Instructor
• HUTTO, BILL, Adjunct Instructor and Director, Auburn University Regional Airport
• LEE, CHUL, Lecturer
• NELSON, KATHRYN, Instructor
• PIERCE, JOSEPH, Instructor
• SCHMIDT, JOHN, Adjunct Instructor
• SIAO, DANIEL, Lecturer
• STEWART, SHEENA, Adjunct Instructor and Director of Professional Development, Graduate School
• THOMPSON, CARL, Senior Lecturer
• THOMPSON, EARLE, Senior Lecturer and UAS Program Manager
• TIDWELL, DAVID, Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Officer
• WADE, KIM, Professor of Practice
• WHITING, CAROLINE, Adjunct Instructor, Research Engineer, Samuel L Ginn College of Engineering