Admission Requirements and Curriculum (catalog) 

AWARD OFFERED Associate in Applied Science Degree

Pilots are highly trained professionals who either fly airplanes or helicopters to carry out a wide variety of tasks. Most are airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers who transport passengers and cargo, but one out of five pilots is a commercial pilot involved in tasks such as dusting crops, spreading seed for reforestation, testing aircraft, flying passengers and cargo to areas not served by regular airlines, directing firefighting efforts, tracking criminals, monitoring traffic, and rescuing and evacuating injured persons. Initial training for airline pilots includes ground school and simulator training, a certain number of flight hours and a FAA Aviation check-ride.

Book an Introductory Flight!
For only $65.00 you can have your first flight lesson and actually fly the aircraft.

Once trained, pilots are required to attend recurrent training and simulator checks once or twice a year throughout their career. The Aviation Flight Technology program at Wallace State consists of flight and ground instruction, which will qualify students for various careers in the aviation industry. Students will have the opportunity to acquire FAA certification for the Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot certificates. All types of advanced certificates and ratings may also be acquired, even instructor training. An articulation agreement with Embry-Riddle Aeuronautical University allows WSCC aviation students to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics upon completion of their Wallace State course work. We also have a transfer opportunity with Athens State for students to major in Management of Technology with a minor in Aviation Management.

Because the number of college-educated applicants continues to increase, many employers are making a college degree an educational requirement. 

Overall, the employment of aircraft pilots is projected to increase through 2014 as demand for air travel grows along with the population and the economy. In the short run, however, employment of pilots is generally sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy. Earnings of aircraft pilots and flight engineers vary greatly depending whether they work as airline or commercial pilots. In May 2004, median annual earnings of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were $129,250. Median annual earnings of commercial pilots were $53,870, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $110,070. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Bert Mackentepe, Department Head
256/737-3040
bert.mackentepe@wallacestate.edu 

Marsha Bradford, Administrative Assistant
256/737-3040
marsha.bradford@wallacestate.edu