2. Aviation Science Program Information

2.1 – Requirements to Enroll

In addition to the regular APSU admissions requirements, aviation students must obtain a 2nd Class Medical Certificate for admission into the degree program. See FAA Medical Certification section.

Students with previous aviation experience will be evaluated for academic credit, in accordance with APSU Aviation Science Policy #9.

2.2 – Weight Limits for Training Aircraft

Guimbal Cabri G2: 260 lbs (ready to fly)

Robinson R44: 300 lbs (ready to fly)

2.3 – Transfer Evaluation for Aviation Students

All transfer evaluations of credit hours which are not aviation related will be accomplished through the Registrar’s Office. Aviation credit hours will be evaluated by the APSU Aviation Science program to ensure the material covered within a particular course is the same as the information covered in the APSU aviation courses.

Students with previous aviation experience, including both flight and ground, will be evaluated by the APSU Aviation Science program (See APSU AVI Policy #9). Students with FAA pilot certificates will be evaluated based on the rating, class, and category to determine which APSU aviation science courses the student can receive academic credit. These credits are determined on a case-by-case basis and approved by the APSU Aviation Science Program Director/Chief Flight Instructor.

2.4 – Academic Advising Information

Students should develop a plan of study that guides them to their goal of graduation. Students must ensure their plan fulfills the APSU General Education requirements, along with satisfying all aviation science requirements from the undergraduate catalog.

Students entering the APSU Aviation Science program with many General Education credits completed elsewhere should consider declaring a minor(s) or second major in another discipline. This provides options and opportunities to maintain a full-time student status during those terms where there are aviation upper division classes not available.

Upon admission, each student at APSU is assigned a faculty member from the Aviation Science program to act as their advisor. Your advisor information can be found in OneStop.

The role of the academic advisor is to:

Advise and assist students in selecting course work to satisfy program requirements and approve wish lists in OneStop prior to student registration of courses.
Provide career planning assistance, information and referral.
Refer students to other university support services.
Assist students in productive problem-solving for personal and academic concerns.

Students are required to contact their advisor for registration, add-drop changes, or to initiate the process of withdrawal from a course or the program. Your Academic Advisor is vital for correct course selection, which will ensure your academic experience at APSU is both successful and timely.

To contact your advisor, refer to your student information page in OneStop or the APSU Faculty and Staff directory for faculty office numbers and phone extensions. All appointments for advising are made directly by the student with the Aviation Science program academic advisor.

Ensuring Graduation Requirements

After completion of AVI 3120 – Commercial Flight Operations Lab II, we will begin developing their Degree Completion Plan ONLY with an Aviation Science advisor.

Advisors will review the following items, at a minimum, to create the Degree Completion Plan:

B.S. General Education Core requirements remaining.
B.S. Major requirements remaining.
Review any potential classes for substitution or waiver.
A.S. requirements remaining, if applicable.
Class availability based on previous academic class schedules.
Complete the Degree Completion Plan and save in the student’s folder, on the Aviation Science share drive.
Make a comment in OneStop, stating the student has completed a Degree Completion Plan.

Advisors will review the progress of the student’s Degree Completion Plan during each schedule academic advising appointment.

2.5 – FAA Medical Certification

All Aviation Science students must hold a minimum of a Second-Class Medical Certificate valid for second-class privileges. The medical certificate must be submitted to the Aviation Science department, as soon as possible, to prevent holds and restrictions being placed on the student’s account.

How to Obtain a Second-Class Medical Certificate

Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area.
Schedule an appointment with the AME.
Complete the initial portion of the application using FAA MedXPress.
If you have medical conditions, VA-rated disabilities, and/or current or past prescribed medications ask the AME office what records to bring.
The AME will complete your medical examination and FAA application. If you meet the standards, the AME will issue your medical certificate.

Medically Disqualifying Event

Any person operating an APSU aircraft must have a current and valid FAA medical certificate.

Pilots who become aware of medical conditions that may restrict or prohibit the exercise of their medical certificate, according to 14 CFR Part 61.53, are required to report the condition to an AME for proper assessment.
Pilots are not permitted to operate an APSU aircraft with any disqualifying medical condition, in accordance with 14 CFR part 61.53.
Students are required to report if they are experiencing a medically disqualifying condition to the Assistant Chief Pilot or Chief Pilot, as soon as practicable.
Pilots are not required to report any specifics of the disqualifying event or medical records. However, student will be required to present proof of medical qualification before permitted to operate an APSU aircraft.

2.6 – Financial Aid

All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA application.

Prior to the Start of the Semester

Meet with your academic advisor and determine what academic classes and/or flight labs you will register for the upcoming semester. This allows students to determine the cost of the required tuition and fees for the upcoming semester.

Students should apply for financial aid as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT until you are registered for a lab to begin your financial aid/loan applications.

Visit Financial Aid or more information or to contact a counselor.

2.7 – Veteran Education Benefits

First time applicants utilizing Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, must complete the following:

Complete the VA online application.
Provide a photocopy of your DD214 (Member 4 Copy) for all service periods
Submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility or VA Award Letter to the APSU Veterans Education Benefits Office
Complete your Online Orientation.
Must complete the Certification Request Form (CRF) once registered.
Submit your VA Fee Deferment

Visit Veterans Education Benefits for more information or if utilizing a different Veterans Education Benefit.

2.8 – Flight Lab Costs

When curriculum hours are established as indicated below, a student’s training completion is based upon the individual student’s progress. Some students learn quickly, while others take more time to understand the material. This is especially true in the challenging field of aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set standards of proficiency for each FAA practical exam. Since our main concern at APSU is to train with safety in mind, we train each student to this required proficiency level, which may take more than the required flight hours to obtain.

To maintain consistent progress, one of the requirements for students is to finish the flight lab and attain a rating for which that flight lab prepares them as soon as possible. Since student progress may take more time than the absolute minimum requirements, student will be required to purchase additional flight time. Additional flight time may be purchased through the Student Account Services and Cashier’s Office in five-hour blocks. Any unused flight time fees will be refunded.

Lab fees are based on the flight and ground hours listed in the course syllabus Training Course Outline (TCO) for each flight lab in accordance with FAR Part 141. APSU monitors student progress closely and strives to provide safe, effective, and financially responsible training to all students. Some students may require more training to attain the required proficiency to pass FAA practical exams; therefore, costs may be higher than the minimums listed below. The course total is the total cost if the students meets the minimum required syllabus flight hours.

Students will be charged a one-time fee of $300 for the aviation kit when registered for AVI 1060.

Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change due to the various factors to include fluctuating fuel costs. Prices DO NOT include FAA knowledge and practical exam fees. Knowledge exam fees are $175 and practical exam fees can range from $600 to $1,500, depending on the type of exam. These costs are paid directly to entities who will provide the testing and check rides services.

See Lab Fees