Aviation Colleges: Flight Hours and Tuition
If you're looking to get your career in aviation off the ground, aviation colleges might be your best resource for getting your wings. From aeronautical technicians certification to commercial pilot licenses, aviation colleges are designed to help you enter the aviation industry.
Here are some things to consider when you're looking at aviation colleges.
Tuition
Accredited aviation colleges are like traditional colleges. At an aviation college, you should be able to focus on specific courses to help you earn specific aviation certifications, licenses, degrees, or certificates. Tuition at most aviation colleges often falls into two camps: credits or semesters.
- Semesters: aviation colleges using the semester structure are often aligned with more traditional colleges. These schools often offer collegiate sports and other collegiate extracurricular programs like fraternities and sororities. The biggest drawback to semester programs is time. With only two semesters in an academic school year, these schools can often take a bit longer than comparable, credit-structured, aviation colleges. Additionally, because semester programs may take longer, the tuition can seem cheaper per year of tuition. However, because you'll be in school longer, a semester-structured aviation college might be more expensive in the end.
- Credits: aviation colleges utilizing a credit-structured tuition plan allow you to earn a degree or certification at your pace. These programs can allow you to chip away at a degree if you're working full-time or plow through classes if you're a full-time student. The biggest drawback to credit-structured tuition plans is the cost. Per credit, this structure can be more expensive than comparable, semester-structured, aviation colleges. However, because you can complete your course work more quickly, they might be cheaper in the end.
Flight Time
Often times, the most expensive part of an aviation college's learning isn't in the classroom, it's in the cockpit. When you're shopping around for aviation colleges, it's important to consider the total costs you'll incur for flight time.
Ask your college about discounts. From fuel to equipment to flight training instructors, your time in the air is going to cost you. Luckily, many aviation colleges offer discounted rates for flight time as part of your tuition. Before you agree to attend an aviation college it's important to figure out how much flight time you'll need and exactly how much it will cost you. Some aviation colleges also have sophisticated flight simulators on campus that can provide some of your flight time for free.
To learn more, visit a flight school near you.