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The Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight at John Brown University (JBU) is a new 4-year on-campus program launching in Fall 2025, designed to prepare students for careers as professional pilots by combining a business-focused liberal arts education with comprehensive flight training. The program is offered in partnership with Airo Flight School at Springdale Municipal Airport, providing students with hands-on flight instruction alongside academic coursework.
Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: Students begin with foundational courses covering the fundamentals of flight, including aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weight and balance, charts, navigation, flight planning, regulations, and weather. Ground school courses such as PF 101 – Fundamentals of Flight introduce these concepts, preparing students for initial flight training.
Year 2: The curriculum advances with PF 201 – Commercial Flight Operations, which covers advanced flight concepts including aircraft performance, advanced systems, weather, and regulations related to commercial flight. This course includes approximately 50 hours of flight training. Students also take business core courses from the Soderquist College of Business, such as ACC 201 – Financial Accounting and MKT 301 – Principles of Marketing, to build essential management and communication skills.
Year 3: Students focus on multi-engine flight training with PF 301 – Multi-Engine Flight Operations, preparing them for the multi-engine rating on their Commercial Pilot Certificate. Leadership and decision-making are developed through courses like PF 310 – Crew Resource Management. Business courses such as MGT 320 – Principles of Management complement the aviation training.
Year 4: The final year includes advanced flight instruction and certification preparation, including PF 401 – Certified Flight Instructor Ground and Flight courses to qualify students as Certified Flight Instructors (CFI). Additional courses in aviation law, safety, and advanced systems ensure students are well-rounded professionals ready for the aviation industry.
Focus areas: Professional pilot training, commercial and multi-engine flight operations, flight instruction, aviation safety, crew resource management, business and leadership skills.
Learning outcomes: Graduates will earn FAA certifications, including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor credentials. They will be prepared for careers in commercial airlines, corporate aviation, missionary aviation, and flight instruction.
Professional alignment (Accreditation): The program is FAA Part 141 approved through its partnership with Airo flight school and integrates JBU’s academic standards, providing a unique combination of practical flight training and business education.
Reputation (Employability rankings): JBU’s Professional Flight program is the only Christian aviation degree program in Arkansas and one of two in the state, offering a competitive advantage by combining a bachelor’s degree with professional pilot certifications. The partnership with Airo flight school ensures students receive expert flight instruction and access to modern aircraft and facilities.
The BS in Professional Flight at John Brown University (JBU) is a newly launched, FAA-approved 4-year on-campus bachelor’s degree program starting Fall 2025. This program uniquely combines a business-focused liberal arts education from JBU’s Soderquist College of Business with comprehensive flight and ground instruction through a partnership with Airo, a Springdale, Arkansas–based flight school.
You will gain extensive hands-on flight training and aviation knowledge through:
Comprehensive Flight Training at Airo Flight School: Complete all essential pilot certifications, including Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification. Training occurs at Springdale Municipal Airport using modern aircraft and simulators, with courses designed to prepare you for FAA practical tests. For example, the Commercial Pilot course includes 50 hours of flight training focused on advanced aircraft systems, weather, and regulations, preparing you for the Commercial Stage Check Knowledge Test.
Multi-Engine Flight Training: Specialised instruction develops skills for obtaining the multi-engine rating on your Commercial Pilot Certificate, with successful students recommended for the practical test.
Core Business Curriculum Integration: Alongside flight training, you will take core business courses from JBU’s Soderquist College of Business, including accounting, management, marketing, finance, economics, and statistics, equipping you with essential business acumen and communication skills to complement your aviation expertise.
Experienced FAA-Licensed Instructors: Flight courses are taught by highly qualified instructors with extensive commercial and military backgrounds, providing practical mentorship and guidance.
Small Cohort Size and Personalised Instruction: The program admits up to 20 students in its inaugural year, ensuring personalised attention and a supportive learning environment.
Christian Mission and Career Preparation: JBU’s program emphasises purpose-driven education, preparing you for careers in commercial, corporate, missionary, and private aviation, with opportunities to serve in nonprofit and ministry aviation roles.
Graduates of the BS in Professional Flight at John Brown University (JBU) are well-positioned for careers as commercial pilots, flight instructors, corporate aviators, and missionary pilots. This new four-year degree program, launching in Fall 2025, combines a business-focused liberal arts education with comprehensive flight training through JBU’s partnership with Airo, a Springdale-based flight school, providing students with both academic and practical expertise to excel in the aviation industry.
Key progression and future opportunities include:
University Services: JBU offers personalised academic advising and mentorship from FAA-licensed instructors with extensive flight experience. Flight training is conducted at Airo’s facility at Springdale Municipal Airport, where students gain hands-on experience in real-world flying conditions. The program includes ground and flight instruction covering private pilot license, instrument rating, commercial pilot license, and flight instructor certification.
Employment Stats and Salary: The aviation industry faces a significant pilot shortage, with the FAA projecting a need for 130,000 new pilots in the U.S. by 2043, and Boeing estimating over 670,000 pilots globally over the next 20 years. Commercial pilots earn a median salary of around $170,000 nationally, and JBU’s program prepares graduates to meet this demand with competitive qualifications.
University–Industry Partnerships: The partnership with Airo enables students to complete all required flight certifications locally, avoiding the need to relocate to other states. JBU also integrates business courses from the Soderquist College of Business, including accounting, management, marketing, and communication, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market.
Long-term Accreditation Value: The program is designed to meet FAA standards and industry expectations, combining rigorous flight training with a strong academic foundation. This dual approach ensures graduates hold credentials and skills highly respected by airlines, corporate flight departments, and missionary aviation organisations.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for diverse aviation careers, including airline pilots, private charter pilots, flight instructors, and missionary aviators. The program’s emphasis on leadership, professionalism, and technical proficiency equips students to excel in various aviation sectors.
Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Professional Flight at JBU, students can pursue graduate degrees in Aviation Management, Aeronautics, or related fields to advance into leadership, safety oversight, or specialised aviation roles. Additional certifications and accumulated flight hours will further enhance career prospects, including senior airline pilot positions or roles in corporate and missionary aviation.
Official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 11th. For 12th Grade your school counselor should send the predictedWhile JBU's admission process is test-optional, consideration of your ACT, SAT or CLT scores may benefit you. At the same time, submitting test scores to JBU will never negatively affect your application or financial aidYou should have between a 2.5 and 2.99 high school GPA and at least a 20 ACT, 1020 SAT or 63 CLT score and want to avoid submitting additional application materialsIf you're an international student without a high school transcript from a U.S. school, test scores are requiredDepending on your GPA and test scores (should you submit them), you may be asked to supply other materials such as references. Use your applicant portal to find and upload requested materialsApply via the JBU Applicant PortalCommercial Airline PilotRegional Airline PilotCorporate PilotCharter PilotFlight InstructorFlight Operations ManagerFlight DispatcherAviation Safety OfficerMilitary PilotHelicopter Pilot
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John Brown University
