Bachelor of Science (BS) Aviation Professional Pilot | Washington D.C. & Maryland Area

Please note: This program is currently pending VA benefits approval.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aviation Professional Pilot

New regulatory requirements, changes in pilot retirement age, too few pilots entering the industry, and natural growth in the air transportation market are all contributing to the burgeoning demand for aircraft and commercial pilots.

The BS in Aviation Professional Pilot program is designed to train aviation professionals to fill these high-demand roles, as well as meet future needs as the increasing use of technology changes the way planes are operated.

You’ll gain hands-on flight training and a firm foundation in flight operations, airport operations, safety, risk management, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, aviation technologies, and piloting skills, as well as aeronautical science, aerodynamics, weather, and navigation.

You'll graduate prepared for a variety of aviation careers with flight expertise, technical skills, and FAA certification.

Why Capitol?

Informed by industry partners. Built for real-world demand.

Our advisory board meets with industry partners every year, which includes airlines, manufacturers, flight schools, and organizations like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), to stay on top of emerging trends, changing customer needs, and new technologies.

If you can fly in Baltimore/DC, you can fly anywhere.

The Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC region has three international Class B airports as well as many towered and non-towered airports and is one of the busiest Class B airspaces in the world. You’ll be prepared to fly anywhere in the world by training in and out of the DC Special Flight Rule Area (SFRA) daily.

Hands-on training taught by faculty practitioners.

With our small class sizes and curriculum focused on hands-on training, you'll receive more individualized coaching from our faculty, many of whom are current practitioners and experts in the field. You’ll also learn to fly with our flight training partners.

Capitol Tech Opportunities

A student learning about the different controls in a commercial airline cockpit

black female commercial pilot sitting in the cockpit

A photograph of control panel in a flight simulator

Capitol Tech students working on robotic models in the lab.

Flight Training Partners

Hands-on flight training is part of the program curriculum. You’ll learn to fly with our partnership flight training service providers, including the Navy Annapolis Flight Center.

Pilot Certificates

Earn all the certificates and ratings you need, including Commercial Pilot Multi-Engine Addon, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFII), and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI).

Volunteer Experience in DC

Participate in extracurricular volunteer flight activities such as Pilots N Paws, Angel Flights, Operation Airdrop, and aviation conventions, seminars, and expos held locally.

High-Tech Facilities and Labs

You’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to gain hands-on experience on our state-of-the-art campus with our flight simulators and VR aviation immersion lab.

Capstone Projects

You’ll take senior project courses during the last year, preparing and presenting capstone presentations.

Key Faculty

Frank E. Turney

Chair

Aviation Read Bio

Dr. Richard Baker

Dissertation Chair

Graduate Programs Read Bio

Todd Raines

Adjunct Professor

Read Bio

Top Companies in Washington, DC Hiring Aviation Professionals

Career Opportunities

The Capitol Commitment

We’ve created a game plan to make sure you find a job upon graduation. Learn more about The Capitol Commitment.

Market Demand for Aviation Professionals

In the next 20 years, the air travel industry will need 649,000 pilots, which comes out to about 32,000 pilots needed a year. This demand comes from more than 25% of commercial pilots reaching the mandatory retirement age in the next decade, as well as the increased demand for air travel around the world.

Degree Details

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Professional Pilot Total Credits: 120

Curriculum

Aviation - Technical Core - 49 Credits
AVT-101 Aviation History and Development	3
AVT-143 Aviation Weather Services	4
AVT-201 Air Traffic Control Systems	3
AVT-202 Aerodynamics	3
AVT-251 Air Transportation	3
AVT-253 Airport Management	3
AVT-254 Airline Management	3
AVT-256 Aviation Safety	3
AVT-311 Aircraft Systems and Components I - Introduction	3
AVT-313 Aircraft Systems and Components II - Turbines and High-Altitude Jet Operations	3
AVT-325 Crew Resource Management	3
AVT-405 Aviation Law	3
AVT-413 Electronic Flight Management Systems	3
AVT-421 Global Navigation and NAVAIDS	3
SDE-457 Senior Design Project I	3
SDE-458 Senior Design Project II	3
Aviation Flight Core Courses - 22 Credits
AVT-141 Private Pilot Ground School	3
AVT-142 Private Pilot Flight - Airplane Pt. 1	1
AVT-144 Private Pilot Flight - Airplane Pt. 2	1
AVT-241 Instrument Rating Ground School	3
AVT-242 Instrument Rating Flight - Airplane Pt 1	1
AVT-244 Instrument Rating Flight - Airplane Pt 2	1
AVT-301 Certified Flight Instructor Theory Airplane (FOI)	3
AVT 341 Commercial Pilot Ground School	3
AVT-342 Commercial Pilot Flight - Airplane Pt. 1	1
AVT-344 Commercial Pilot Flight - Airplane Pt. 2	1
AVT-442 CFI Flight - Airplane	1
AVT-444 CFII Flight - Airplane	1
AVT-446 Multiengine Addon Flight - Airplane	1
AVT-448 Multiengine Instructor (MEI) Flight - Airplane	1
Aviation Related Courses - 6 Credits
UAS-101 Intro to Unmanned and Autonomous Systems	3
UAS-102 Mechanics of Unmanned and Autonomous Systems	3
Mathematics & Physical Sciences - 19 Credits
CS-120 Intro to Programming Using Python	3
CS-130 Intro to Programming Using Java	3
MA-112 Intermediate Algebra	3
MA-114 Algebra and Trigonometry	4
MA-128 Introduction to Statistics	3
PH-201 General Physics I	3
English Communications - 6 Credits
EN-101 English Communications I	3
EN-102 English Communications II	3
Humanities and Social Science - 12 Credits
HU-331 or HU-332 Arts and Ideas	3
SS-351 Ethics	3
Social Science Elective	3
Humanities Elective	3
General Electives - 6 Credits
General Elective 1	3
General Elective 2	3

Note: Please check with an Academic Advisor to confirm degree requirements and program electives.

Educational Objectives:
1. Students will critically analyze problems in a variety of disciplines to identify relevant and useful information to support the attainment of desired outcomes.
2. Students will determine appropriate conclusions by examining the output of methodological applications in the aviation professional pilot environment.
3. Students will conceptualize, apply, and integrate effective strategies to use information in the decision-making process as an aviation professional pilot.
4. Students will apply knowledge in aviation to adapt to emerging aviation trends.
5. Students will conduct themselves professionally and ethically.
6. Students will understand and analyze the role of aviation safety and human factors in the aviation industry.
7. Students will fly independently and safely operate airplanes for which they are rated.
Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, graduates will have:
1. Graduates will demonstrate flight proficiency, safety, and procedural skills to obtain FAA licensure required to secure a position as a commercial pilot or flight instructor.
2. Graduates will apply legal and ethical principles in their career as an aviation professional pilot.
3. Graduates will apply knowledge of aeronautical principles, design characteristics, and operational limitations to operate aircraft safely in emergency conditions.
4. Graduates will demonstrate traditional and technological techniques of communicating ideas effectively and persuasively.
5. Graduates will demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and managerial skills in their assigned aircraft and within the aviation industry.
6. Graduates will be able to analyze and assess airline regulations, airport operations, government regulations, safety requirements, and environmental concerns to plan and implement appropriate actions as an aviation professional pilot.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change.

The following rates are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in Fall 2024 and continuing through Summer 2025:

Full-time tuition is $13,175 per semester, plus fees
The active duty military tuition rate is $250 per credit, plus fees (additional discounts and scholarships do not apply)
The retired military tuition rate is $763 per credit, plus fees (additional discounts and scholarships do not apply)
All full-time students who keep their student account current are promised their tuition will not increase more than 1% per year for four years
For the cost of living in Capitol Technology University's modern residential facility.
Academic Fee for UAS-120 $500

Find additional information for 2024-2025 undergraduate tuition and fees.

Additional Lab Fees

Note: Lab fees reflect costs for flight instruction conducted at our partner location

AVT-142 Private Pilot Flight Airplane Pt. I	$7,500
AVT-144 Private Pilot Flight Airplane Pt. II	$7,000
AVT-242 Instrument Rating Flight Airplane Pt. I	$7,000
AVT-244 Instrument Rating Flight Airplane Pt. II	$6,500
AVT-342 Commercial Pilot Flight Airplane Pt. I	$13,000
AVT-344 Commercial Pilot Flight Airplane Pt. II	$13,000
AVT-442 CFI Flight Airplane	$9,000
AVT-444 CFII Flight Airplane	$6,000
AVT-446 Multiengine Airplane Addon Flight	$5,500
AVT-448 Multiengine Instructor (MEI) Flight	$9,000
Total lab fees for Aviation Professional Pilot BS effective Fall, 2023	$83,500

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