The Aviation Science program prepares students to become professional pilots or flight operations specialists. The program can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students and is designed for students without any flying experience. ​

It takes between 18 and 24 months to complete an Associates of Science degree in Aviation Science. A student seeking a career as a professional pilot would progress through the aviation pilot training curriculum to earn a commercial pilot certificate. Once the commercial pilot certificate has been earned, the student is able to fly, for hire, with commuter or charter companies in order to build experience needed for airline opportunities. Commercial pilot certificate holders may also choose to undergo additional training to become a certified flight instructor. 

Non-degree seeking students, such as individuals who only need to use an aircraft for personal transportation or business travels, may select individual Certificates of Specialization appropriate to their needs. Each Certificate​ of Specialization is designed to be completed within one academic semester. ​​​

Note: Although the courses within the Aviation Science department’s degrees and certificates are sequenced, students may begin the program at any semester.

Career options are versatile. Opportunities exist as:

• corporate pilots for executive transport, charter, or cargo operations; 
• pilots for government agencies, law enforcement and emergency transport; 
• technicians and managers for flight line operations and logistics;
• pilots to meet the current hiring demand for commuter and airline operations; and
• remote pilot operators of UAVs or drones for a wide array of industries. 

Flight Training Costs

In order to attain certification as a pilot, students are required to satisfy aeronautical experience requirements as outlined in applicable Subparts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). The majority of this experience must be accumulated in actual aircraft. Flight training is necessary for students to meet the specific requirements of FAR 61.109 (Private Pilot), FAR 61.65 (Instrument), and FAR 61.129 (Commercial) certification. 

Flight time and Instructor fees are billed separately from ground school courses. In all APT Flight Lab classes, fees are $175 per hour for primary training aircraft and technologically-advanced training aircraft, and flight instructor fees are $65 per hour. Total approximate cost to meet the minimum requirements of: FAR 61.109 (Private Pilot) is $12,500; FAR 61.65 (Instrument Pilot) is $10,000; and FAR 61.129 (Commercial Pilot) is $11,000.  However, most students require training beyond the minimum hours required in FAR 61.109, FAR 61.65, and FAR 61.129 to become proficient in the aircraft, which increases total cost. Therefore, the total program cost may range between $45,000 to $60,000. Please note that aircraft and instructor fees may be subject to change.

All students are required to obtain a second-class medical certificate in order to qualify for all APT Flight Lab participation.

Additional costs include but are not limited to second-class medical certificate, pilot supplies, program materials, airport security badge, no-show fees, and FAA examinations. These fees are not included in the total program cost and must be paid separately by the student.

Use of Flight Simulators

FAA Certified Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD) may be used to accrue aeronautical experience requirements of FAR 61.109, FAR 61.65, and FAR 61.129. Costs for students to use college-owned AATD’s will be $60 per hour and flight instructor fees are $60 per hour. The amount of aeronautical experience the FAA will accept in AATD’s will be dependent on the airmen certificate sought. Refer to FAR 61.109, FAR 61.65, and FAR 61.129 for more information regarding the approved usage of AATD’s for aeronautical experience. Please note that AATD and instructor fees may be subject to change.

Flight Training Curriculum

Flight training is conducted in accordance with an FAA-approved Part 141 syllabus. Unlike flight training conducted under 14 CFR Part 61, Part 141 flight schools are required to use a structured training program and syllabus. As a Part 141 flight training institution, this program is able to provide high quality training by using a greater variety of training aids and dedicated training facilities, maintaining rigorous flight instructor oversight, and utilizing FAA-approved course curricula.

Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs

All APT courses are financial aid eligible if the student is enrolled with Aviation Science as their declared program of study (major). 

Veteran students using GI Bill Education Benefits are limited to only aviation courses that do not require actual flight training in aircraft (flight labs). Currently, Veteran Affairs (VA) is in the midst of significant regulatory changes. Please contact OCC Veterans Services Office at (714) 432-0202, ext. 26376, to find out the latest updates regarding our status with the VA.

Department Contact Information

Stanley Harriman, Ph.D.
sharriman2@occ.cccd.edu
(714) 432-5986

Aviation Science Department Website

Credit Courses