Aviation Flight Science Major (AFSJ)

The Aviation Flight Science curriculum prepares students for a career in aviation as a professional pilot. It emphasizes intellectual as well as technical competencies and is geared toward educating captains, not just training pilots. Flight training and prerequisite course work ensures that students learn essentials that are required by the commercial airline industry. Concepts emphasized include Crew Resource Management (CRM), Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT), international flight, airline regulations, profitability, management and administration. Equipment includes a modern fleet of single- and multi-engine aircraft and state-of-the-art Training Devices which provide exposure to current Electronic Flight Instrumentation Systems (EFIS) and Flight Management Systems (FMS). Graduates of this curriculum earn their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-engine Land ratings.

FAA Medical Certificate

Students considering this curriculum are highly encouraged to obtain a FAA First Class Medical Certificate before committing to this program. An FAA Second Class Medical Certificate is a prerequisite for the first flight course (AVS 1520). Due to aircraft limitations, an individual’s flight course participation may be limited due to extremes in that individual’s size and/or weight. It is recommended that individuals heavier than 275 lbs., shorter than 5’ 2”, or taller than 6’ 6”, reach out to the college to discuss limitations.

Drug Testing

All students are required to subject themselves to drug testing procedure approved by the College before being allowed to participate in any flight activity in University aircraft.

Program Requirements

Enrollment in flight courses may be subject to a waiting list. Admission is determined by the candidate’s number of credits earned, GPA, and availability of aircraft and instructors. Registration is administered by the College of Aviation. Students enrolled in flight training must maintain an average GPA of 3.0 overall. Failure to do so will result in removal from active flight status.

No minor required.

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen the Aviation Flight Science curriculum will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement by successfully completing the following course:

AVS 4270 - Airline Administration Credits: 3 hours

Required Courses (123 credit hours)

WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations – Oral and Digital Communication Category Elective Credits: 3 hours
WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations – Inquiry and Engagement: Critical Thinking in the Arts and Humanities Category Elective Credits: 3 hours
WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – World Language and Culture Category Elective Credits: 3 hours
WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Artistic Theory and Practice Category Elective Credits: 3 hours
WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Societies and Cultures Category Elective Credits: 3 hours
WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category Elective Credits: 3 hours
WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Local and National Perspectives Category Elective Credits: 3 hours

Note: One of these courses must contain required content in Planetary Sustainability and one must contain required content in Diversity and Inclusion, which are met in Levels II and III only. No more than 3 courses from any one prefix may be used to satisfy WES requirements.

Major Courses

AVS 1510 - Professional Flight I Theory Credits: 3 hours
AVS 1520 - Professional Flight I Lab A Credits: 2 hours
AVS 1525 - Professional Flight I Lab B Credits: 2 hours
AVS 2060 - Flight Physiology Credits: 3 hours
AVS 2510 - Professional Flight II Theory Credits: 3 hours
AVS 2520 - Professional Flight II Lab Credits: 2 hours
AVS 3060 - Advanced Aerodynamics and Performance Credits: 3 hours
AVS 3080 - Advanced Aircraft Systems Laboratory Credits: 3 hours
AVS 3220 - Global Navigation and International Flight Planning Credits: 3 hours
AVS 3530 - Professional Flight III Theory Credits: 2 hours
AVS 3540 - Professional Flight III Lab Credits: 2 hours
AVS 3550 - Professional Flight IV Theory Credits: 2 hours
AVS 3560 - Professional Flight IV Lab Credits: 2 hours
AVS 4110 - Airline Flight Operations Credits: 3 hours
AVS 4120 - Line Oriented Flight Crew Simulation Credits: 4 hours

Cognate Courses

AVS 1200 - Introduction to Aviation Credits: 3 hours
AVS 1210 - Aerodynamics and Performance Credits: 3 hours
AVS 1220 - Introduction to Airframes and Systems Credits: 2 hours
AVS 1225 - Introduction to Aircraft Powerplants Credits: 2 hours
AVS 1230 - Aircraft Systems Laboratory Credits: 1 hour
AVS 1235 - Aircraft Powerplants Laboratory Credits: 1 hour
AVS 2050 - Aviation Safety Credits: 3 hours
AVS 2070 - Crew Resource Management Credits: 3 hours
AVS 3070 - Advanced Aircraft Systems Credits: 3 hours
AVS 3190 - Aviation Law Credits: 3 hours
AVS 3290 - Aviation Meteorology for Pilots Credits: 3 hours
AVS 4240 - Corporate Aviation Management Credits: 3 hours
AVS 4270 - Airline Administration Credits: 3 hours
COM 1700 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3 hours
HPHE 3600 - Sport and Performance Psychology: Mental Training for Peak Performance Credits: 3 hours
ECON 2010 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3 hours
GEOG 2250 - Introduction to Meteorology and Climatology Credits: 4 hours
IEE 1020 - Technical Communication Credits: 3 hours
MATH 2000 - Calculus with Applications Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 1070 - Elementary Physics Credits: 4 hours
PSY 1000 - General Psychology Credits: 3 hours
STAT 2160 - Introductory Statistics Credits: 3 hours

Career Elective (3 hours)

Students will select at least one AVS career elective from a list compiled by the faculty chair. This shall include only 3000 and 4000-level AVS classes.