Professional Pilot

Enrollment Eligibility:

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

• The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants read, write, speak, and understand the English language. FAA guidance on language proficiency can be found in the current version of Advisory Circular AC60-28 and the Level 4 proficiency standards of ICAO Doc 9835.
• A minimum grade of "C" in FLTEC 200 Professional Pilot Orientation.
• Be at least 16.5 years of age at the time of enrollment.
• Student must obtain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate & FAA Student Pilot Certificate. No more than one alcohol-related motor vehicle action within three years, or more than three alcohol-related motor vehicle actions in any time period.

Enrollment Process:

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

• Admission to Sacramento City College.
• Enroll in FLTEC 200 Professional Pilot Orientation, and obtain a final grade of "C" or better.
• Obtain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate and FAA Student Pilot Certificate.

Description:

The Professional Pilot A.S. degree program is designed for students who want to pursue a professional career in aviation as a commercial pilot, or who wish to continue their aviation studies in a baccalaureate program.

During the course of the program the student will qualify to take the written portions of the FAA Private, Instrument and Commercial examinations. Examinations are given at FAA-authorized locations not related to the college. Each exam is given on a PASS/FAIL basis, and costs between $175 and $185. Results of the exams are valid for 2 years after the date of examination.

During the course of the program the student will also qualify to take the FAA Practical Tests for: Private Pilot-Single Engine Land, Commercial Pilot-Single Engine Land, and the Instrument Rating.

All flight training will be completed at partner flight schools, with the student enrolling in lab courses at SCC to obtain college credit for their flight training.

This is an intensive, pilot-focused aviation program that will bring participants with little or no aviation knowledge up to the level of an instrument-rated commercial pilot. The program is taught in cohorts, with 12-17 units per semester.

All required courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. 

Projection of number of students to earn degree annually: 22-27 students (estimate)

This program is the expansion/evolution of our current Flight Technology program. Our current program is comprised of ground instruction (lectures) only. This new program builds upon the existing Flight Technology program by incorporating all of the courses from the Flight Technology degree program, with the addition of an orientation course (FLTEC 200) and flight training labs (FLTEC 360, 362, 364). The flight training labs are conducted by local partner flight schools. This program will allow students to qualify for FAA certification as a Commercial, Instrument-rated airplane pilot.

Career Opportunities:

Professional Pilots are employed as Charter Pilots, Flight Instructors, Ground Instructors, Agricultural Pilots, Bush Pilots, Survey Pilots, Helicopter Pilots, Flight Engineers, and Regional Airline/Major Airline Pilots as well as working for a Government Agency or the Military.

General Education:

The Professional Pilot Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements. 

Proposed Sequence: 

Prerequisite = 1 unit

S1, Summer = 7 units 

S2, Fall = 12 units 

S3, Spring = 20 units

Total Required Program units: 40 

General Education:

The Professional Pilot Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.