About US

Welcome aboard! Thank you for taking the time to tour our Web pages and learn more about the Department of Aviation Technology at Indiana State University.  Perhaps you are an aspiring airline captain, the next Top Gun candidate, interested in an exciting career as an air traffic controller, airport manager or even as an air carrier manager. Many military pilots and officers, air traffic controllers, airport managers, as well as air carrier captains working around the globe began their journey by roaming these halls. 

         Whatever your aviation dream. I hope these Web pages begin to provide you the sense that here you matter as a student, now as you consider our different programs, and extends past graduation into your career. 

         We are proud that most of our entering students graduate. Considering only about 45 percent of the college students that begin college degree graduate nationally, this is very good bit of information to know as you begin your search. But don’t think this program is lightweight. It is not. Indeed, compare our standards for graduation to other university aviation programs. Here you will be engaged in the process of becoming a professional aviation expert the day you arrive. The standards are high. Be prepared to get excited about learning and gaining the “hands-on” experience that will make you that professional and a desired employee in the marketplace.

 Professional Pilot Program

         Requirements. As a pilot, our “hands-on” standards are much higher than most, if not all, other university aviation programs. You will obtain all ratings up through Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) and multi-engine (ME) ratings as well as signoffs for aerobatic flight and tail-wheel. As you consider different university training programs compare actual requirements, not just options. Many programs have options for some inspired and select students. We have a single standard for all flight students. In addition to the basic flight certification requirements, you can experience ocean flying (we spent our Spring break in the Bahamas flying), mountain flying, multi-engine instructor, float plane rating, and receive your glider rating. In the job market, all these ratings and experiences translate into a better quality graduate and a preferred applicant.

         By the way, as you compare schools, ask the program when you should expect to begin flying. When you arrive here with your first-class flight physical complete, after you take the flight school tour and get signed off, you are ready to fly, expect to be airborne within two weeks. As a demonstration of our unique approach to flight training, after the students visit the flight schools and meet with the various flight instructors, the department allows the student to select which flight school and flight instructor they will utilize. In addition, should the student later change their preference, they are permitted to switch flight schools as they feel necessary. This approach allows the students to take charge and makes them responsible for their progress and gives them ownership in their success. We like to see students fly at least three times a week. 

         Cost Effective. Despite all that “hands-on” experience you’ll be getting, the cost is not only competitive but among the best aviation values in America. We provide an honest, no-hidden-cost estimate of expenses associated with the flight program. Professional flight training is never cheap and unexpected events can slow or advance training but the estimate we provide assumes the student is flying the most expensive airplane and the estimate quotes total hours based upon national averages. This results in an estimate that is not likely to be exceeded. Even with this process we believe we are the most cost effective flight training program in the nation. And remember, the total number of flight certifications students receive as part of their graduation requirements is much higher at ISU as compared to the vast majority of other programs. For less money the student is receiving more ratings. Because this department receives no profit from our flight program, we are only interested in helping to produce a high-quality flight student. 

         Flight Instructor. One more important bit of information for the student to consider provided the student does their part and obtains their ratings and flight time; they will likely be hired as a flight instructor, simulator instructor, or both while a student of the department. It is not common to work as a flight instructor while still a student at universities. But here the students are treated as professionals and provided opportunities to expand their experiences - academic, social and professional. The advantage of this policy is that it allows a student to build flight hours that will aid them in getting their first airline job. Many flight schools require the student to graduate before providing flight instruction. Our policy enables students to build flight time at an accelerated pace as compared to other programs. Most airlines require around 1000 total time hours and 200 multi-engine hours. Because our students start earning hours early they tend to exceed airline requirements within a couple of years of working as flight instructors. Since ISU allows early instruction time, most students easily qualify for the airlines before they leave ISU. Thus, we expect the first employment position after graduation is to directly the airlines or flight corporations.

         Program Fees. Our program does have several small program fees that are levied as part of the seminar labs. All students participate in the flight program on a co-operative basis and are assessed a $300 seminar fee for each seminar lab. This fee enables the department to better oversee the flight program, purchase lab equipment as needed, and pay the instructor salaries. While this fee is an additional charge to tuition, it allows the students to utilize state-of-the-art flight simulators and laboratory equipment that reduces the student flight time by up to fifty flight hours, resulting in a substantial savings for the total cost of flight training. These fees are assessed as part of the normal registration process as students register for the required seminars. These fees are already included into the cost estimate of flight training at ISU and eligible for financial aid. 

         Simulator Training.  We have state-of-the art flight simulators. The department has long had a policy of not charging for the use of the simulators and we expect to continue that into the future. A prospective student or parent needs to ask about the cost of simulator training. When asking about simulator fees, you’ll need your checkbook. By utilizing the simulators, students gain the “hands-on” experience needed to pass an employment screening and in addition save at least $7,000 in flight training costs. In addition to our primary trainer simulators, we have complex airline simulators that not only add value to the program but also increase the aircraft systems knowledge of our students.

         Previous Flight Experience. If you, the prospective student, have previous experience or flight ratings, those flight hours and flight ratings are FULLY transferred to ISU. This is a very substantial policy that allows our program to standout from others. Most programs in the country do not accept prior flight hours or ratings. When a student arrives here and provides copies of their flight ratings they are placed in advanced courses and are awarded credit based upon those ratings. This policy results in additional and substantial savings for those students who have some level of previous flight training. That stated we do require students attend some or all of our ground school classes. This is an effort to ensure the foundational training is the same for all students regardless of advance placement due to previous flight training or transfer status. For example, if a student already has a instrument certificate, the student will advance straight to his commercial flight training but will have to sit though instrument ground course to verify the students competency at that level. 

         Flight Training outside of ISU. Once accepted and program training has began at ISU, no student is allowed to conduct flight training at any other location, except for specific pre-approved ratings (float plane, glider, mountain). This is a hard requirement driven by University insurance issues. If any flight hours are conducted in non-ISU flight school aircraft, those hours and ratings are deemed not qualified toward an ISU degree and must be repeated. This requirement is not negotiable. This policy extends to flight time toward a flight rating over the summer months or other school breaks. The student can avoid problems in this area by utilizing only ISU approved flight schools. Finally, the parent should also be aware that this department carries accident insurance on the student with substantial additional coverage required by our flight schools. Thus, the family does not need to carry flight insurance on the student.