Aeronautical science is the science of flight.
It encompasses the design, development and operation of aircraft and other flying machines, as well as the development and management of the systems and infrastructure that support today’s complex air transportation system.
The B.S. in aeronautical science with flight prepares you for a career as a professional pilot. It provides a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, aeronautical sciences, aeronautical technology and the regulated international aviation industry—all tailored for technical aviation careers.
You’ll learn high-level software and programming skills, gain experience in aviation programs and applications used around the world and receive top-notch pilot training—from your first flight through your commercial pilot flight test and beyond.
With the support of expert instructors, real-world internship opportunities and an engaged alumni network, you will be positioned for success in your aeronautical science and flight career.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s aeronautical science degree program provides excellent preparation for technical jobs in the aviation industry and government regulatory agencies and for a career as a commercial pilot. You’ll gain a firm grounding in math, science and technology—along with the specialized aeronautics knowledge and experience you’d expect from one of the best universities for aeronautical science.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» combines the benefits and resources of a larger school (think world-class faculty members, high-tech facilities and a high-quality curriculum) with a close-knit academic community, small class sizes and one-on-one time with professors.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s faculty members are established experts in all aspects of aviation. They are pilots and experts in aviation law, safety, avionics and environmental science. We have faculty with expertise and experience in airport consulting, design and management, airline or general aviation management, aviation human factors, meteorology and air traffic control. If it’s about aeronautical science, our faculty know it, teach it and research it.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a world-class aviation university, and one of the best schools for pilot training. University flight training is conducted under the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations Part 141.
Flight training is an integrated series of four courses designed to qualify you for the Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument and multiengine ratings and a minimum of 190 hours of flight training.
If you've had previous flight and ground training, advanced placement or transfer credit may be possible.
For safety and compliance with federal regulations special requirements apply to flight students, such as medical clearance and English language proficiency. Please see the university catalog for additional information.
The B.S. in aeronautical science with flight is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to receive the maximum time reduction allowed toward the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. Graduates of this program are eligible for a restricted ATP at 1,000 flight hours.
We know that cutting-edge technology and facilities are an important part of what makes an aeronautical program successful. At Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», you’ll find facilities and resources that measure up to other top aviation universities.
The Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research, located just minutes from campus near the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, is home to our aircraft fleet, featuring Pipers with state-of-the art glass-cockpits. The research center houses facilities for weather/flight planning, simulators and more.
The College of Aeronautics’ Skurla Hall is home to a first-rate computer lab with many different applications and networking capabilities that allow hands-on learning in aviation topics, including airport design and planning.
Using computer-aided design (CAD) programs, you can complete projects in designing airports and airport terminals, and conduct experiments, such as noise studies. In the Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) Lab, you can fly desktop simulators under the supervision of a flight instructor and practice in air traffic control (ATC).
Our 130-acre campus is located in a high-tech corridor on the Space Coast—NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is just north of us—and many high-tech corporations and government and military organizations are located nearby. Our location provides an abundance of internship and employment opportunities for our students. You can’t find a better location for immersion in aeronautical science.
Flight students appreciate that we have over 300 days of ideal flying weather each year, and that our College of Aeronautics is ranked one of the safest flight schools in the U.S. Melbourne is home to an international commercial airport that is just a 10-minute drive from campus.
When it’s time to relax, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean, with its 72 miles of beautiful beaches. We are minutes from the Indian River Lagoon, a highly biodiverse estuary, and it’s a short trip to the Florida Keys and the Orlando theme parks. We also have a rich campus life that includes a wide range of intramural and , .
Interested in air traffic control (ATC)? An air traffic control specialization is offered in conjunction with the B.S. in aeronautical science - flight.
This specialization provides in-depth knowledge of ATC and the aviation industry and hands-on experience with industry-standard air traffic control programs to ensure graduates have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed as air traffic controllers.
The ATC specialization meets the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program and is FAA-approved.
Graduates of the AT-CTI program may be eligible to bypass the Air Traffic Basics course covered during the first five weeks of qualification training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. You must successfully complete all required training at the FAA Academy for employment with the FAA.
The programs in our College of Aeronautics take a multidisciplinary approach to research that spans fields including engineering, human factors, safety, psychology, computer science and biology. As an undergraduate, you'll have opportunities to tackle and present group research projects on topics from aviation management and human factors to safety, aviation environmental science and more.
An aeronautical science degree with flight gives you a set of skills applicable to many professions that place a premium on technical competencies. Our graduates are recruited by major airlines and companies, such as L3Harris Technologies Inc., Velocity, Inc., the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, FlightSafety International and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Jobs in aeronautics include:
Looking ahead to your future career can be exciting! Keep in mind that certain roles may entail additional prerequisites, such as an advanced degree.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.
The , published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for , and other aeronautical science and flight-related careers.
After receiving their aeronautical science - flight degree, many of our students pursue graduate degrees in specialties such as aviation human factors, airport development and aviation law at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» or other prestigious universities.
Post-graduate programs our students choose include:
The aeronautical science - flight curriculum is well rounded and career focused, providing a strong foundation in mathematics, science, aeronautical technology and the aviation industry as you train to become a pilot.
You'll get right into aeronautics and pilot training. Your initial flight instruction will introduce core concepts such as checklists, meteorology, flight controls and more.
Delving deeper into aeronautical science and the details of aviation operations, you'll prepare for advanced certificates and ratings, including the FAA instrument rating. Advanced flight instruction in single-engine and multiengine land aircraft will equip you for the FAA commercial pilot practical test.
Senior year, you'll put your knowledge and skills to work as you plan, conduct and report on aviation research or scholarly activity. You can also choose to pursue your Certified Flight Instructor Certificate.
Along the way, you’ll learn essential skills, from computer programming to professional communication, and become well versed in areas of special importance in an aeronautics career, such as aviation safety, security and law.
Classes include:
Download the Aeronautical Science - Flight, B.S., Curriculum now!
At Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», aeronautical science internships provide learning opportunities that reach beyond classroom work, offering exposure to airlines and aeronautical organizations including JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and Melbourne Orlando International Airport.
You’ll gain specialized firsthand experience in airline operations and the business of aviation.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» students typically pursue internships over one or more summers or semesters. These aeronautical internships are great for networking and can help identify job opportunities after graduation.
If you're an aspiring pilot, our pathway programs, offered in collaboration with various airlines, provide a seamless transition into commercial aviation. These programs include mentoring and professional development opportunities while you earn your degree.
Some agreements feature "flow through" provisions, allowing students to identify and secure a career path with a major airline as early as their sophomore year.
Participants can expect a clear and structured path toward a career as a professional pilot, with guidance to help them navigate each stage of their journey from training to employment.
Learn more about Aeronautical Science - Flight at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» on the website.
Aeronautical science majors gain leadership and professional experience through participation in academic organizations and honor societies, and student organizations, including:
Check out other networking opportunities in groups such as the , the and .
The Aeronautical Science and Aeronautical Science-Flight programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) through 2027. Visit the College of Aeronautics Accreditation and Memberships page to learn more about the following Student Achievement Data: