Welcome to the Aims Aviation department introduction pdf. We are excited you are considering Aims Aviation for your future. Please read this introduction in its entirety as it will help answer some of your basic questions. This presentation has authorization codes scattered throughout, so it is important that you pay attention. Having these authorization codes is the only way we can verify you participated in the entire introduction. Please write them down when instructed to do so. If you plan on applying to the program, once you complete this online introduction, you will be asked to enter your name, your Aims student number, authorization codes, and the date you watched this presentation, into a certificate of completion. Please print this certificate and bring it with you to your first advising appointment. You will also submit it with your aviation programs checklist. Having this certificate with the authorization codes is mandatory, and is required documentation for the Aviation Programs checklist packet, as it is the only way we can confirm you completed this online introduction. 1
It is the responsibility of the student to read, understand, and retain proof of reading the following introductory information in its entirety. This introduction is designed to give the inquiring student basic information about the Aviation programs. The student is responsible for all information provided in this document and will be asked to provide signed documentation acknowledging such at a later time. More detailed information will be available in the FAQ section of the department s website. 2
The topics covered in this basic introduction include general information about the aviation department, general information about each of the 4 degree programs offered, some information regarding program costs, and finally, information on the process for getting started in the programs and becoming an Aims Aviator. 3
Aims Aviation has a rich 46 year history. In 1967, Aims Community College is founded. A year later, in 1968, the college approves the formation of the aviation department and a commercial flight degree. In the Spring of 1969, Aims offers its first flight course. 4
In 1987 Aims Aviation begins its journey to become a leader in Professional Pilot Education when it enters into a formal agreement with Eastern Airlines to train commercial airline quality pilots. 5 years later, in 1992, Aims aviation acquires its current Flight Training Center at the Greeley/Weld County airport and the Federal Aviation Administration awards Aims Aviation its Air Agency Certificate, allowing Aims to train students under part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. After just 2 years as a Part 141 school, Aims aviation becomes one of the first 2 year collegiate aviation programs in the nation to be awarded the prestigious Airway Science Program designation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the University Aviation Association. 5
In 1997, Aims Aviation is awarded the Program of Excellence Grant by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education in the amount of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Money from this grant went to purchase the multi engine Piper Seminole airplane we still use today. In 2001, Aims takes delivery of its Beechcraft 1900D Full motion flight simulator, thus allowing Aims students a level of training available at only a handful of universities in the nation. In 2007, Aims Aviation offers a helicopter pilot degree option, a program that is rare at the collegiate level. 6
In 2008, Aims Aviation expands again, adding an Air Traffic Control degree. In keeping with its history of excellence, this degree is approved as part of the Federal Aviation Administrations Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative program, and is one of only 35 programs in the nation. In 2013 Aims is the recipient of the FAA s Letter of Authorization to certify Aims Aviation graduates for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with reduced experience. This means our successful graduates may be authorized to get their restricted ATP at 1250 total hours rather than the normal 1500 hours. As of 2015, we offer 4 Associate of Applied Science degree programs in aviation General aviation pilot, professional pilot, helicopter pilot, and air traffic control. 7
Aims Aviation offers four Associate of Applied Science degree programs. An AAS is a terminal degree and typically not designed for transfer to a four year university. We are working on establishing one or two articulation agreements in the next few months whereby students could transfer to complete a four year degree. However, if your goal is to earn a 4 year degree, please check with the accepting institution first to make sure they will accept our specific aviation courses. Each degree program offered is unique, but all have a set of common requirements. When you apply to Aims, no matter what aviation degree you decide to pursue, you need to declare AGS Pre Aviation as your initial intended major. AGS stands for Associates of General Studies. As you await admission to the program, the AGS gives you options of courses to take, both aviation and non aviation, many of which are common degree requirements. All programs require entering students to be college ready. All programs require that students hold a minimum of an FAA Class 2 medical certificate, a Class 1 medical is suggested for those entering the professional pilot program. Students majoring in one of the pilot degrees, will begin their flight courses within the very first week of starting the program, and will need to present proof of a valid Class 2 medical at that time. Additionally, flight students must meet with a certified flight instructor prior to the first 8
day of class to submit an application for a Student Pilot Certificate with the FAA. This certificate must be in hand before a student is allowed to solo an aircraft (many times within the first month of training). Additionally, all programs have some varying age and other requirements, of which students need to be aware, and will be discussed in this presentation. 8
We do not offer any aviation courses online at this time. All ground, classroom, and air traffic control courses are taken at the Aims Greeley campus. Fixed wing flight courses are taken at the aims flight training center located at the Greeley/Weld County airport, and helicopter flight courses are taken with our contractor, Front Range Helicopters, located at the Ft Collins/Loveland Airport. Only a few evening classroom courses are offered in any given term, and these are generally the lower 100 level courses common to all four degree programs. So can you be part time? The answer is yes and no. Yes, you can pursue any degree on an academic part time basis (meaning taking fewer than 12 credits hours a semester). However, you cannot be part time in flight and only fly a day or so a week. Flight courses are a part of the academic curriculum, and as such, you will be required to schedule to fly 4 to 5 times per week. This is your class attendance and is in addition to any other courses you will be taking. 9
In general, our degree programs are designed to take approximately four to six semesters to complete. This equates to 2 to 3 years. The air traffic control program is a 4 semester program if students follow the designated curriculum path. ATC students also only attend Fall and Spring semesters. Flight Students, on the other hand, will need to plan on taking flight courses year round, including summer terms, in order to complete their degree program in fewer than 3 years. 10
All programs require entering students to be college ready. To be considered college ready, a student must be able to enter into College Algebra and English Composition I. College readiness is determined by an assessment process using valid ACT/SAT test scores, transfer credit from other schools, or the Accuplacer exam. Student services advisors will determine a prospective Aviation student s college readiness status. The first authorization code is chord line. Please write this word down, as you will be asked to enter it into the certificate of completion at the end of this introduction. 11
Aims Aviation s air traffic control degree is one of 35 programs in the nation certified by the FAA as part of their Collegiate Training Initiative Program, otherwise known as ATC CTI. 12
The Air Traffic Controller degree is designed for those students seeking a career as an air traffic controller. This is an intense degree requiring 64 total credit hours and taking 4 semesters to complete. No ATC courses are offered over the summer term, however, there are two common courses required for the degree that are. There are FAA hiring practices that students need to take into consideration when deciding to embark on a career in air traffic control. Before submitting your Aviation checklist, please speak with the ATC Professor, Larry Stephen. Appointments can be made by emailing the department at aviation@aims.edu or calling 970 339 6472. 13
To get hired on by the FAA as an air traffic controller, you must be a US Citizen, be fluent in English, and pass a Class 2 medical exam. Air traffic controllers hold a Secret Level security clearance, so you must also be able to pass a full criminal background check. 14
For Students pursuing the air traffic control degree, the clock is ticking. Students should be younger than 27 when they begin the program. Assuming the curriculum is followed, it will take 2 years to complete the degree and potential air traffic controllers must be hired by the FAA before their 31 st birthday. 15
Aims Aviation is one of a few colleges in the nation that offers a helicopter pilot degree option. The helicopter flight courses are taught by our contractor, Front Range Helicopters, located at the Ft Collins/ Loveland airport. Helicopter students begin flying within their very first week of starting the program. 16
The Helicopter Pilot degree is designed for those students seeking a career as a helicopter pilot. The degree is 61 total credit hours and approximately 4 to 5 semesters in length. These are consecutive semesters, which includes at least one summer term. Upon graduation from the program, students will hold a FAA Commercial Pilot license for rotorcraft with an instrument rating, as well as a Certified Flight Instructor rating. Those who choose can take a certified flight instructor course that also incorporates a Robinson helicopter endorsement. Beginning Fall 2016, students who do not currently hold a Private Pilot Helicopter License must first take the Private Pilot Certificate. This is a 15 credit hour academic certificate. Upon successful completion, students will hold an FAA Private Pilot helicopter license. The student will then continue on to the AAS Helicopter Pilot degree in the following term which starts with the Commercial Pilot Helicopter license course. The approximate cost for the entire program varies with flight time needed to be proficient as well as residency status. Due to the multitude of moving parts, helicopter operational costs tend to be approximately 3 times that of its airplane counterpart. The estimated range for a student who takes the average number of flight hours to complete the degree is $148,000 to $175,000. 17
Aims Aviation offers two fixed wing degree programs, General Aviation Pilot and Professional Pilot. The fixed wing flight courses are taught at the Aims Flight Training Center located at the Greeley/Weld County airport. Fixed wing students begin flying within their very first week of starting the program. 18
The General Aviation Pilot degree is designed for those students seeking a career as a general aviation airplane pilot. The degree is 60 total credit hours and approximately 4 to 5 semesters in length. These are consecutive semesters, which include at least one summer term. Upon graduation from the program, students will generally have between two hundred and two hundred fifty total flight hours. They will also hold a FAA Commercial Pilot license for single engine airplane, land, with an instrument rating. The approximate cost for the entire program varies with flight time needed to be proficient as well as residency status. The estimated range for a student who takes the average number of flight hours is $52,000 to $84,000. 19
The Professional Pilot degree is designed for those students seeking a career as an airline pilot. Students interested in corporate of fractional flying careers will also benefit from the Professional Pilot option. This is an extensive degree requiring 75 total credit hours and taking approximately 5 to 6 semesters to complete. These are consecutive semesters, which include at least one summer term. Upon graduation from the program, students will generally have around two hundred fifty total flight hours. They will also hold a FAA Commercial Pilot license for single engine airplane, land with an instrument rating and a multi engine add on. The approximate cost for the entire program varies with flight time needed to be proficient as well as residency status. The estimated range for a student who takes the average number of flight hours is $60,000 to $95,500. 20
All of the programs have age requirements. For pilots, this means minimum age requirements for training purposes. To be eligible for an FAA student pilot certificate the student must be 16 years of age. To complete the first flight course in the degree program, which is taken the first semester of enrollment, and obtain the private pilot s license, a student must be 17 years old. To complete the commercial pilot s license (the license needed to be paid to fly), the student must be 18 years old. To obtain the restricted airline transport pilots license, a pilot must be at least 21 years of age, and for a full ATP, he/she must be 23 years or older. 21
To receive flight training in our training aircraft, you must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. You will also need to comply with the TSA s alien flight training/citizenship validation rule. This can be done in one of two ways the first and easiest is to present a valid US passport. The second is a combination of BOTH your original birth certificate and a valid government issued photo ID. These will be provided to the department before courses begin and flight training can start. If you are not a US citizen, you will be required to participate in the TSA s Alien Flight Student Program and undergo a security threat assessment. For more information, please visit the TSA AFSP homepage at www.flightschoolcandidates.gov 22
The big question most students have is how much does it cost? The answer depends on a few factors including which program you choose to declare and your diligence in its pursuit. General costs will be covered in this presentation, but further information can be found on the Aims website. 23
Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (otherwise known as the FAFSA), to help defray standard tuition costs. These monies will go a long in way in covering most of the costs associated with the air traffic control program. For flight students, the monies that can be received through the FAFSA will not be enough to cover the flight lab fees associated with the flight courses in the program. Students in the flight programs will need to find additional funding to completely cover the cost of the flight degrees. All students are expected to have funding in place for all courses taken in a term at the beginning of that term. Payment plans that allow payment over the course of the term are available as well. 24
VA students using the post 9/11 chapter 33 GI bill will also have money out of pocket. The VA is currently in flux and changing how they are certifying funds for flight degree programs. As of June 2015, the VA will only pay for the FAA minimum number of flight hours for the flight lab fee portion of a flight course, they still cover all tuition. Additionally, the VA will NOT pay for the helicopter private pilot license, since Aims uses a third party contractor to provide helicopter flight training (this does not affect the airplane students). An example of estimated cost for the private pilot flight course is illustrated here. The FAA minimum number of total flight hours for a private pilot s license is 35. The national average is 65 85 hours, and Aims student average is approximately 65 hours. If the VA pays for 35 hours of flight time (and associated tuition) the student will need to pay for the additional 30 to 40 hours of flight out of their own pocket. To complete a course and corresponding FAA flight license, the number of flight hours a student needs beyond the FAA minimum is determined by student s flight skills and proficiency to pass the FAA practical test. Therefore this illustration shows estimates only, which can and do vary greatly between students. The second authorization code is ground effect. Please write this phrase down, as you will be asked to enter it into the certificate of completion at the end of this introduction. 25
By reading this introductory brochure in its entirety, you have completed an essential part of the Aviation Programs Checklist. Space in the programs is limited. New students are only admitted in the Fall and Spring terms and only when they are both college ready, and have completed and submitted all items on the Aviation Programs Checklist to the department. Prior to each Fall and Spring term, all students will need to submit or resubmit an updated checklist for the upcoming term to be placed on the Ready List for that term. Students are admitted as space allows and in the order in which complete Aviation Programs Checklists and associated documents are received. For further detailed information on the application process, please read the Becoming an Aims Aviator pdf on the Becoming an Aims Aviator page. 26
This completes the Aviation Introductory information. If you are ready to begin the process of becoming and Aims Aviator, your next steps are as follows Print and complete this pdf s Certificate of Completion. Watch/Read the Becoming an Aims Aviator video/pdf and follow the instructions as outlined. Submit your Aviation Programs checklist when complete (within the window of acceptance for the term you are applying). For additional questions, please look for our FAQ page and check back often as it will update over time. If you still have questions, please send an email to aviation@aims.edu. 27