Bachelor of Commercial Aviation in Flight Operations

Delta State University is one of the premier choices for students who desire a career as a pro­fessional pilot. Industry professionals agree that Delta State University graduates display the highest levels of proficiency and professionalism which make them prime candidates for positions in today’s aviation marketplace. Virtually all graduates of Delta State University’s aviation program advance to excellent positions with profes­sional corporate, charter, regional, and major air­ lines, as well as the military.

The Flight Operations Degree provides stu­dents with the knowledge and skills to pursue a professional pilot career. Through a combination of both classroom and flight training, a student majoring in Flight Operations will acquire the fol­lowing certificates and ratings: Private Pilot In­strument Multi-engine, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor, and Certified Instrument Flight Instructor. Training culminates in a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation degree within 4 years.

There are two main components to the Commercial Aviation (CAV) Program: flight training and a university degree. For an aspiring pilot, there are many ways to obtain flight training. Likewise, there are plenty of different opportunities and options for a four-year degree. However, the key advantage to training in a university-based system is that these two pursuits are integrated!

Students sign up for flight courses, which lead to academic credit hours as well as pilot certificates or ratings. These flight courses are preceded by specific ground training, which is also monitored by the FAA. Our flight and ground courses are approved by 14 CFR Part 141, which assures a certain level of structure.

At the same time, the program is painstakingly tailored to the college situation, and is delivered in a flexible training environment. In the end, DSU students experience ground and flying courses for all levels leading up to a Commercial Pilot Certificate, with Airplane Single- and Multi-Engine Land Instrument Airplane Ratings, and a Flight Instructor Certificate.

While there are many qualified pilots who have stopped with only this level of training, DSU goes further. The DSU CAV program also integrates a core of classes that enhance flight-oriented training, including classes in engine operations, human factors, and aviation management. These classes, along with the overall college experience, are what make the DSU experience more than just a flight training program, and more than just a degree program. Together they afford students a comprehensive professional pilot training program.

In addition to this comprehensive professional pilot training program, DSU students will experience flight training at college. They attend university courses with other college students with aviation interests. These common interests lead to many positive experiences and developments, which are difficult to find in any other type of environment. DSU has several aviation-related student organizations, including a nationally recognized NIFA-member Precision Flight Team and a chapter of Alpha Eta Rho. Whether the team is winning a regional flying championship or enjoying a cookout at the park, these and other collegiate opportunities open doors for students to enhance leadership skills and to develop contacts that will last for many years.

This system is used successfully in many colleges and universities around the country. When compared to these other institutions, however, DSU stands out in terms of value. Tuition and living expenses are very competitively priced to give students a quality education while keeping overall prices reasonably low.

Students who enroll to Delta State’s Flight Operations program with incomplete training for certificates or ratings must meet with the Chief Instructor for evaluation of their training records. The Chief Instructor is responsible for evaluating the student and deciding where in the appropriate flight syllabus the student will start their training. Any credit given for flight hours and previous training is the responsibility of Chief Instructor and will be based on the appropriate FAA regulation.

After a student has enrolled in Delta State University’s Flight Operations program, flight time, certificates, and/or ratings earned elsewhere cannot be used to satisfy requirements for a Flight Operations degree.

Flight Operations majors admitted to Delta State University after 08/01/2009 may receive credit or grades for Private Pilot only as per the guidelines stated above. Flight Operations majors wishing to transfer FAA certificates/ratings beyond the Private Pilot will be coded as an Aviation Management major rather than Flight Operations major.

CAV 250: Private Pilot Ground — 5 Credit Hours
CAV 251: Private Pilot Flight — 3 Credit Hours

DSU BCA 2+2 Flight Operations 

Q: When can the student expect to begin flying?
A: First semester except in extremely rare circumstances

Q: What will the student need to have with them to begin flying at DSU?
A: The student will need to be in possession of at least a 2nd class FAA medical. He/She WILL NOT be able to fly without this. The Transportation Security Administration under the Department of Homeland Security requires that an ORIGINAL birth certificate be provided to the Flight Department Administration for verification of US residency. The original will be returned to your son/daughter. They must also be in possession of a VALID GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID. For names and addresses of AME’s go to this website: http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov .

Q: How can I as a parent/student pay for flight costs?
A: Through the Student Business Services department each student will need to set up a university Flight Account. This account is a separate account whose funds can only be used for aviation specific costs. Any money put into the account can be withdrawn through the withdrawal process. Once a deposit is received by DSU the airport Flight Coordinator is notified of the deposit amount. Airport personal DO NOT handle money of any kind with the exception of some textbook purchases. ALL flight account deposits go through Student Business Services.

Q: Are flight costs separate from tuition?
A: YES. All flight costs are in ADDITION to normal tuition costs. The cost sheet can be found in the current Academic Catalog under the Commercial Aviation section.

Q: How much money should I deposit in the flight account?
A: A beginning student can expect to spend approximately $1000.00 per week if weather and scheduling allow flights each day of the week.

Q: How many days per week will the student fly?
A: Each student is scheduled to fly 5 days per week unless their schedule will not allow it due to conflicting classes. A “flight slot” is a 2 hour slot scheduled at the airport. It can be thought of as a “lab”. During that slot flights typically last about 1 hour and 12 minutes (1.2 hours). Not all lessons in a syllabus are flight lessons. Some lessons are ground school lessons, and the student is not charged for use of an airplane that he/she doesn’t use.

For curriculum information on Flight Operations, visit the Commercial Aviation section in academic maps.

The BCA Flight Operations major requires the following language proficiency requirements: