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The BS in Aviation Flight Science at Western Michigan University is a four-year, on-campus program designed to prepare students for professional pilot careers and leadership roles in aviation. The curriculum emphasises both intellectual and technical skills, progressing from zero flight experience to FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Land ratings. Students train using a modern fleet of single- and multi-engine aircraft, state-of-the-art simulators, and advanced avionics such as the Avidyne R9 suite and DFC-100 autopilot.
Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll begin with foundational courses including AVS 1510 Professional Flight I Theory, AVS 1520 Professional Flight I Lab A, AVS 1525 Professional Flight I Lab B, AVS 1200 Aviation Meteorology, AVS 1100 Introduction to Aviation, MATH 1160 Calculus with Applications, GEOG 1050 Physical Geography, and general education in communication and writing.
Year 2: You’ll take AVS 2510 Professional Flight II Theory, AVS 2520 Professional Flight II Lab, AVS 2800 Advanced Aircraft Systems, AVS 2270 Aviation Law, AVS 2220 Professional Flight III Lab, AVS 2100 Crew Resource Management, and supporting courses such as PSY 1000 General Psychology, STAT 2160 Business Statistics, and ENGL 3070 Technical Communication.
Year 3: You’ll progress to AVS 3500 Airline Operations, AVS 3530 Crew Resource Management (CRM), AVS 3540 Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT), AVS 3700 Corporate Aviation Management, AVS 3710 Airline Administration, and advanced flight training modules. Electives and research opportunities become available.
Year 4: In your final year, you’ll complete AVS 4500 International Flight Operations, AVS 4510 Advanced Flight Training, AVS 4700 Management and Administration, and a capstone experience. Additional electives allow specialisation in areas such as global navigation or advanced flight systems.
Focus areas: Aircraft systems, Crew Resource Management (CRM), Advanced aerodynamics, Professional flight and airline operations, Global navigation and international flight, Aviation law and management
Learning outcomes: Graduates earn a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Land ratings and are prepared for careers as airline, commercial, corporate, or military pilots, flight instructors, or aviation managers.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The program meets FAA requirements and is closely aligned with industry standards for pilot training and airline operations.
Reputation (employability rankings):
WMU’s College of Aviation is nationally recognised for its advanced curriculum, strong industry partnerships, and graduate success with alumni employed at major airlines, corporate flight departments, and government agencies.
Western Michigan University offers a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Flight Science, an on-campus program designed to prepare students for professional pilot careers with a strong foundation in both technical and intellectual competencies.
Facilities & Experiential Learning:
Modern Fleet & Advanced Training Devices: Students train on a fleet of single- and multi-engine aircraft equipped with the latest glass cockpit technology, including the Avidyne R9 avionics suite and DFC-100 advanced autopilot. The program also utilises state-of-the-art flight simulators and Line Oriented Flight Crew Simulations for realistic training scenarios.
Crew Resource Management (CRM) & LOFT: The curriculum emphasises CRM and Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT), mirroring airline operations and preparing students for teamwork and decision-making in real-world flight environments.
Hands-On Flight Training: Students progress from zero flight experience to earning their FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Land ratings, through structured flight courses and practical training.
Exposure to Advanced Systems: Training includes Electronic Flight Instrumentation Systems (EFIS) and Flight Management Systems (FMS), ensuring familiarity with the technology used in modern commercial cockpits.
Faculty Research Opportunities: Students may participate in faculty-led research projects that contribute to advancements in aviation training and safety.
Comprehensive Curriculum: Coursework covers aircraft systems, advanced aerodynamics, airline operations, global navigation, international flight, management, and administration, along with general education and basic sciences.
Industry-Relevant Preparation: The College of Aviation maintains close ties with the aviation industry, ensuring the curriculum meets current airline and regulatory standards and prepares students for immediate employment as professional pilots upon graduation
Graduates of Western Michigan University’s BS in Aviation Flight Science program are prepared for exciting careers as airline pilots, commercial freight pilots, corporate pilots, and flight instructors with leading employers like ExpressJet, American Eagle, Air Wisconsin, and the U.S. Forest Service. You’ll gain both the technical flight skills and leadership abilities to advance quickly in the aviation industry.
Career Preparation & Outcomes
University Services for Career Success: You’ll benefit from personalised academic advising, access to state-of-the-art simulators and a modern fleet of single- and multi-engine aircraft, and hands-on training in Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT). The College of Aviation also offers career fairs, resume workshops, and connections to major airline recruiters.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: WMU aviation graduates enjoy strong job placement with regional and national airlines, and the national median salary for airline and commercial pilots is highly competitive (typically $100,000+, depending on experience and employer).
University–Industry Partnerships: The program maintains strong ties with airlines and aviation organisations, offering internships, recruitment events, and industry-sponsored training. Recent graduates have been hired by ExpressJet, Pinnacle Airlines, GoJet Airlines, American Eagle, and more.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The BS in Aviation Flight Science is delivered by the College of Aviation, one of the largest and most respected collegiate aviation programs in the U.S., and prepares you for the FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Land ratings.
Graduation Outcomes: You’ll graduate with a deep understanding of advanced aerodynamics, aircraft systems, global navigation, airline operations, aviation management, and international flight, completing 122–123 credit hours and all required flight training for commercial pilot certification.
Further Academic Progression: After earning your BS in Aviation Flight Science at Western Michigan University, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue advanced flight certifications, a master’s degree in aviation management or safety, or transition into instructor, management, or leadership roles within the aviation industry.
Official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 11th. For 12th Grade your school counselor should send the predictedOptional Common App personal essay (up to 650 words)Letters of recommendation are optionalStudents may report/submit ACT or SAT test scores if they wish, but it is not required. If a student does wish to have their test score used in the admission process, they can self-report their scores on the admission applicationAny previous or pending disciplinary violation related to academic dishonesty or criminal offense must be reported on the admission application. Most conduct violations do not prevent students from being admitted to WMU, but failing to disclose is considered falsification of the application and may result in admission offers being withdrawnMinimum GPA 3.003-4 years of math (through second year algebra or pre-calculus)Portfolio, project links, YouTube channel, honor and awards to enhance your application (Highly recommended, this information will also likely be used during the scholarship award process)Apply via the CommonApp
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Western Michigan University
