How many degrees are offered in these programs?
GTCC offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Aviation in either of the following two options:
a. Pilot Option - For those desiring a flying career, whether it be in general aviation, with a commercial air carrier, as a corporate pilot, or even possibly in the military. Students desiring this degree must complete all flight requirements and earn their commercial pilot certificate and their instrument rating before graduation.
b. Management Option - For those students who are interested in working in such areas as aviation office management, sales, service, air taxi service operations, as an aircraft dispatcher, or in charter flight sales. Additionally, students in the pilot option who have not yet met their flying time requirements for the commercial certificate with an instrument rating may still earn their degree with this option.
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Is GTCC an FAA Part 141 approved flight school?
A. Not at this time. We do however have agreements with area Fixed Base Operators (FBO's) to accommodate students desiring to earn their flight ratings under either FAA Part 141 or FAA Part 61 rules.
GTCC does provide the academic training needed to earn the Associates Degree and give the student the background necessary to pass the FAA written exams for Private, Commercial, Instrument, and Certified Flight Instructor ratings.
FAA written exams are given at the end of each ground school course.
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When can I begin these programs?
New students may enter these programs at the beginning of any semester, and the only limitation on the number of students is classroom size (approximately 25 per class). In the event that a class is overbooked, it will usually be broken into two smaller classes.
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What does it cost to attend GTCC?
The average total cost to the student for the entire program (in 2006-2007) is approximately $2800 -$3500 for an in-state resident. Out of state tuition is approximately $14,000 for the entire program (*Tuition and fees are established by state legislative action/and or Board approval and are subject to change.)
Flight training costs vary from FBO to FBO and are available by calling each operator individually - be sure to ask to total cost per hour, including aircraft rental, fuel, instructor fees, etc.Greensboro Flight Training (336) 668-9963
Alamance Flight Training (336) 229-1428
Burlington Aviation (336) 227-1278
Carolina Flight (336) 998-8101
Penguin Aviation Ltd. (336) 882-1831
Carolina Aircraft (704) 633-5021
Triad Air (336) 744-4000
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In general, what is the cost of the flight lessons?
As mentioned, rates vary from operator to operator. You can expect to pay fees for both aircraft rental and flight instruction. In the least expensive planes, this could range from $85 - $100/hour. A conservation estimate of the cost of approximately 250 hours - the average time needed to get private, commercial, and instrument certificates - is about $25,000. This can be reduced somewhat by the use of certified flight simulators, which are available at GTCC. Flight sims cost approximately $35/hour, and can be used for a maximum of 50 hours toward the total of 250 hours needed to complete the Commercial Pilot rating.
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Is financial aid available for flight lessons?
The Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology programs qualify for financial assistance. However, the money that any particular student receives is dependent on their own, or their family's resources. Students wishing to learn more should contact the Financial Aid Office - (336) 334-4822 (ext. 5352).
Veterans may use the GI Bill for tuition and for a portion of their flight training.
To learn more, contact the Veterans Representative - (336) 334-4822 (ext. 2314).
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Will all of my courses be taken at the Aviation Center located at the Piedmont Triad International Airport?
All of the courses required for an Associates Degree are available at the Aviation Center except Physics, and the Physics LAB (PHY 110 and PHY 110A). These courses require lab facilities that are not available at the Tom Davis Aviation Center. Any of the General Education courses except Physics can be taken at either the Aviation Center or at Jamestown.
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Can I complete the program through evening courses?
Some of the classes needed for graduation are offered at night, but the majority are offered only during daytime class periods - this is especially true for the aviation related courses. This is primarily because demand for evening courses is usually not strong enough to justify additional classes or instructors. If demand is sufficient, classes will be added.
A student can earn a certificate in aviation at night. Although, not the same as a degree, it will be considered a plus when applying for corporate, commuter, or airline flight positions.
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Do students enrolled in the program have to fly?
No. Students taking the Management Option are not required to fly.
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Do I need any type of flight physical prior to entering the program?Students entering the Pilot Option should be able to pass the FAA CLASS I flight physical. We encourage students to take the CLASS I physical early to determine if there are any problems that might prevent them from meeting hiring requirements for prospective employers after completing the program.
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What are the requirements to become an airline pilot?
The requirements vary, depending on the level of the position you are seeking. An entry level position with a commuter airline or a corporate flight department will typically call for (as a minimum): 1000-1200 hours of flight time, a two year degree, a commercial instrument rating with some multi-engine time, and a CLASS I physical.
Most major airlines are currently hiring pilots with 2500-3500 hours, a college degree, an Airline Transport Pilot rating (in addition to the others), and the CLASS I physical. Most airline pilots achieve those hours flying as instructors, and the commuter or corporate flight departments.
**It is important to note that as the pool of available pilot changes - up or down - so do the minimum requirements. This is important, because all projections point to a continually shrinking pool of available pilots.
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What is the job market/salary for graduates from the Pilot Option?
This is a really tough one to pin down, since salaries vary based on what kind of flying the graduate is doing, and our graduates hold such a wide variety of jobs. Our students fly in such varied areas as fish spotters, traffic watch, pipeline patrol, photography, rescue work, charter operations, cargo operations, flight instructing, and commuter airlines. Initially their primary concern is to build flight time rapidly, since progression to better jobs usually hinges on experience. In very general terms, a flight instructor might expect to earn $10-$18 per actual hour of instruction, and pay ranges from there to $18,000 - $25,000 for a commuter pilot, and on up to $100,000+ for experienced airline pilots.
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What is the job market for graduates of the Management Option?
Jobs and careers exist in such varied areas as aircraft sales, airport management, aviation insurance and claims, ticket sales and ramp agents with airlines, travel agents, and aviation company representatives, public relations, weather agencies, FBO management, and the FAA, just to name a few.
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Are credits for either of these programs transferable to four-year colleges?
Yes, a number of our students go on to attend four-year colleges to complete a bachelors degree in either flight or management curriculum. Depending on the college and their entrance requirements, most, if not all credits are accepted.
For students going on to complete a bachelors degree program in the pilot option, we strongly recommend completing all flight ratings through instructor (CFI) before transferring. This enables the student to instruct while attending school - earning income and building flight time, while completing degree requirements.
GTCC and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Unversity (ERAU)have collaborated on a 2+2 agreement, that makes it possible for students to remain in Greensboro after completing their Associates Degree, and continue right into the Junior year of the Embry-Riddle Bachelor's program in Professional Aeronautics. This is a fully accredited Bachelor of Science degree offering from Embry-Riddle that is identical to the degree offered at their Daytona, FL or Prescott, AZ campuses. There is a significant savings available on tuition through their extended campus program, which is run completely through ERAU. The only connection to GTCC in the last two years is that we provide the site for their classes. The tuition saved through this program is sufficient to cover the cost of all flying needed to complete Private, Instrument, Commercial Instructor, and Instrument Instructor ratings for the average student.
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Who should I talk to at GTCC if I need more information?
Try the Aviation Center first (336) 334-4822 and ask for Tom Freeman (ext. 4908) or Ed Frye (ext. 4902). Because of class schedules, etc., you may need to make an appointment. If you are unable to contact either of these folks, call Mike Mackey, the GTCC Recruiter (336) 334-4822 (ext. 2285). Mike is familiar with all the requirements for entering these programs.
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Where is the T. H. Davis/GTCC Aviation Center located?
The address is 260 North Regional Road, Greensboro, NC 27409.
The location is on the Southwest corner of the Piedmont Triad International Airport.
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Are flight simulators (FTDs) available for logging hours toward flight training requirements?
Yes, GTCC currently has one AST Hawk Single Engine or Multi Engine which is FAA approved as a Level I FTD. GTCC also has three GAT-1 FTDs which are FAA approved as Level 1. Individuals may sign up for FTD time with one of our instructors who will give the training and enter the time in the student’s log book. Cost for use is $70 for two hours on the AST Hawk and $50 for two hours on the GAT-1s.
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Are on-line aviation courses available for the non traditional student?
Yes, all of the courses needed to complete the Aviation Management degree are available online, and a number of the courses specific to the Career Pilot program are also available online. The availability of online offerings is constantly increasing, so refer to the GTCC Annual Schedule to see what's available to meet your needs.
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