Soaring to New Heights: Navigating the Requirements for Liberty University's Flight School
Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics has rapidly grown and offers various pathways to pursue a career in aviation. Whether you're interested in becoming a pilot or working in aviation maintenance, understanding the requirements for their flight school is crucial. This article will explore the various degree programs, course requirements, and other essential information to help you navigate your journey toward a successful aviation career.
Liberty University's Commitment to Aviation Education
Since 1971, Liberty University has been committed to providing a world-class educational experience grounded in Christian values. The School of Aeronautics extends this mission by offering comprehensive aviation programs. In 20 years, Liberty's School of Aeronautics has grown from just four students to over 5,000 worldwide. With experienced instructors and a focus on both academic excellence and faith-based principles, Liberty prepares students to impact the aviation industry positively.
Degree Programs Offered
Liberty University offers several degree programs tailored to different aviation career paths. These include:
- Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (B.S. Aeronautics): This program is designed for individuals seeking a broad understanding of aeronautics. Graduates of the online Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics may be eligible for the Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certificate at 1,000 or 1,250 hours total flight time provided they completed both their Instrument Flight training and certification and Commercial Pilot Flight training and certification through Liberty University or one of our accredited Flight Training Affiliate locations, while enrolled in the associated AVIA courses.
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation (B.S. Aviation): Similar to the B.S. Aeronautics, this degree also offers eligibility for the R-ATP certificate under the same conditions.
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology: Flight and Maintenance: This residential program combines flight training with aviation maintenance, providing a comprehensive skill set for aspiring pilots and mechanics.
Core Requirements for the B.S. Aeronautics Degree
The B.S. Aeronautics degree has specific course requirements divided into major foundational courses, major core courses, a cognate, and free electives. It is important to note that the degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026.
Major Foundational Courses
These courses provide a base for aviation studies. The foundational courses include:
Read also: Liberty University Fees
- BUSI 105: The Business Experience
- BUSI 240: Organizational Behavior and Management
- MATH 201: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
These courses total 9 credit hours.
Major Core Courses
The major core courses delve into specific aviation-related topics. These courses include:
- ACCT 209: Survey of Accounting and Finance
- AVIA 102: Aviation Foundations
- AVIA 245: Aviation Leadership
- AVIA 300: Aviation Safety
- AVIA 314: Fixed Based Operator Management
- AVIA 355: Air Carrier Management
- AVIA 360: Business Aviation Management
- AVIA 361: Airport Management
- AVIA 400: Aviation Human Factors
- AVIA 461: Aviation Career Strategies
- AVIA 472: Aviation Organizational Ethics
- AVIA 491: Aeronautics Capstone
- BUSI 301: Legal and Ethical Concepts for Decision Makers
- BUSI 313: Foundations of Project Management
- BUSI 330: Principles of Marketing
- ECON 214: Principles of Macroeconomics
- Two Business Electives (any 300-400 level BUSI course not already applying to the degree)
The major core courses total 54 credit hours.
Cognate Courses
The cognate courses focus on flight training. These courses include:
- AVIA 210: Private Ground I
- AVIA 215: Private Ground II
- AVIA 220: Private Flight I
- AVIA 225: Private Flight II
- One elective chosen from any 300-400 level AVIA course not required in the major or AVMX 418.
These courses total 15 credit hours. It is important to note that this cognate is not eligible for Veterans Education Benefits.
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Free Electives
Students can choose 0-7 credit hours of free electives to supplement their education.
Core Requirements for the B.S. Aviation Degree
The B.S. Aviation degree also has specific course requirements divided into major foundational courses and major courses. It is important to note that the degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026.
Major Foundational Courses
These courses provide a base for aviation studies. The foundational courses include:
- MATH 201: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- PHYS 101: Elements of Physics
- PHYS 103: Elements of Physics Lab
These courses total 7 credit hours.
Major Courses
The major courses delve into specific aviation-related topics. These courses include:
Read also: Explore Liberty University's Graduate Programs
- AVIA 102: Aviation Foundations
- AVIA 227: Introduction to Risk Management
- AVIA 245: Aviation Leadership
- AVIA 300: Aviation Safety
- AVIA 304: Aviation History
- AVIA 305: Airplane Aerodynamics
- AVIA 310: Instrument Ground 1
- AVIA 315: Commercial Ground 1
- AVIA 320: Instrument Flight 1
- AVIA 325: Commercial Flight I 1
- AVIA 326: Commercial Flight II
- AVIA 327: Commercial Flight III
- AVIA 340: Aviation Weather
- AVIA 342: GPS Navigation
- AVIA 400: Aviation Human Factors
- AVIA 455: Turbine Engines and Jet Transports
- AVIA 475: Aviation Physiology
- AVIA 491: Aeronautics Capstone
- Four Aviation Electives (any 300-400 level AVIA course not already applying to the degree)
The major courses total 66 credit hours.
Flexible Online Aviation Program
Liberty University’s online aviation program offers a flexible pathway to explore a career as a pilot. The hybrid program allows you to complete academic coursework 100% online while partnering with an approved flight school for in-person training. Liberty University School of Aeronautics has created the first Rotary Transition Pathway.
Flight Training Affiliate (FTA) Program
In 2013, Liberty introduced the Flight Training Affiliate (FTA) program, allowing students to complete their flight training locally where it's convenient for them. Liberty is proud to announce that AV8 Flight School is a Flight Training Affiliate (FTA) of Liberty University. Students enrolled at an FTA can complete their Bachelors of Science in Aeronautics online in as little as 2.5 years.
Benefits of the FTA Program
- Convenience: Complete flight training at a location near you.
- Flexibility: Combine online coursework with in-person flight training.
- Accelerated Completion: Finish your degree in as little as 2.5 years.
Financial Assistance and Veteran Benefits
Liberty University offers financing options for flight training. Liberty has one of the most affordable flight-focused bachelor’s degrees in the nation. While our standard tuition rates are between $22,500-$46,800, when combined with flight training overall costs come to $108,501-$132,801. It typically costs around $80,000 just for your licenses to become a pilot with no previous experience.
Liberty University has over 12 years of experience working with Veterans (VA) Benefits. Liberty is an FAA Approved Part-141 Pilot School and has trained a number of pilots by helping to utilize the benefits they earned during their time of service. Some of the instructors are former and current military members that received their training thanks to Veterans Benefits and the Commercial Pilot Training Program. *Military benefits from the Veterans Administration for flight courses are only accepted at the following locations at this time. VA benefits can be used for non-flight courses regardless of FTA location.
FAA Certification and Requirements
The School of Aeronautics is a FAA 14 CFR 141 certified school. Liberty University provides Part 141 training for online Private Ground, online Instrument Ground, online Commercial Ground, residential Private Pilot, residential Instrument Rating, and residential Commercial Pilot training. The School of Aeronautics partners with approved Flight Training Affiliates to deliver FAA 14 CFR Part 141 training under their air agency certificate.
Admission Requirements
In order to be admitted into the Liberty Online BS Aviation degree, the student must certify that he or she understands that degree completion requires acceptance, enrollment and completion of all flight training requirements at an LU-approved, independent Flight Training Affiliate and requires the student to meet all Federal Transportation Security Administration requirements for flight training, or the student must have a Commercial Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration prior to admission.
An FAA Medical Certificate is required prior to starting flight training at most training locations, and prior to solo flight at all training locations.
Residential Program B.S. in Aviation Technology: Flight and Maintenance
This program prepares students for careers as skilled pilots and mechanics. Through the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology: Flight and Maintenance program, students gain the knowledge, skills, professionalism, and strong Christian character they need to succeed. In this degree, you will take courses such as Commercial Flight, Aviation Leadership, and Turbine Engine Technology.
FAA Mechanic Training and Certification
In order to be admitted into the Liberty Online BS Aviation Maintenance Management, students who do not hold a valid FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate must certify that he or she understands that based on FAA requirements, the AVMT courses (45 hours) listed on this degree cannot be offered online and must be taken residentially at Liberty University. FAA mechanic training and certification, with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, may be done outside of Liberty University and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit may be awarded for licensure to meet the requirements of the AVMT courses (45 hrs.) if a student already has a valid FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate.
The Importance of Both Pilot Skills and Mechanic Certification
There are many cases when just having a pilot certification is not enough. Liberty University offers both the pilot skills and mechanic certification requirements you’ll need for your career.
Plan of Study Grid
The plan of study grid outlines the course sequence for the B.S. Aviation degree. Here's a breakdown by year and semester:
First Year
- First Semester (18 Hours): Elective A, B, or C Term, Math Elective MATH 201 D Term, ENGL 101 Composition and Rhetoric (B Term), UNIV 104 Instructional Technology for Successful Online Learning (D Term), Communications Elective D Term.
- Second Semester (17 Hours): Elective A, B, or C Term, Natural Science Elective PHYS 101 B Term, PHYS 103 Elements of Physics Lab (B Term), BIBL 104 Survey of Old and New Testament (B Term), Information Literacy Elective D Term, Elective D Term.
- Third Semester (15 Hours): AVIA 320 Instrument Flight (A Term), AVIA 310 Instrument Ground (B Term), AVIA 342 GPS Navigation (B Term), AVIA 102 Aviation Foundations (B, C, D Term), AVIA 227 Introduction to Risk Management (D Term).
Second Year
- First Semester (16 Hours): AVIA 325 Commercial Flight I (A Term), AVIA 315 Commercial Ground (B Term), THEO 104 Introduction to Theology Survey (D Term), Critical Thinking Elective D Term, Social Science Elective D Term.
- Second Semester (15 Hours): AVIA 326 Commercial Flight II (A Term), AVIA 340 Aviation Weather (B Term), AVIA 245 Aviation Leadership (B, C, or D Term ), Cultural Studies Elective B Term, Information Literacy Elective D Term.
- Third Semester (16 Hours): AVIA 327 Commercial Flight III (A Term), AVIA 300 Aviation Safety (B or D Term), RLGN 104 Christian Life and Biblical Worldview (D Term), AVIA 304 Aviation History (D Term), Aviation Elective D Term.
Third Year
- First Semester (14 Hours): Aviation Elective A or B Term, AVIA 305 Airplane Aerodynamics (B Term), AVIA 400 Aviation Human Factors (B, C, D Term), AVIA 475 Aviation Physiology (D Term), Elective D Term.
- Second Semester (12 Hours): Aviation Elective A or B Term, AVIA 455 Turbine Engines and Jet Transports (B Term), Aviation Elective B, C, or D Term, AVIA 491 Aeronautics Capstone (D Term).
The total hours required for the B.S. Aviation degree are 123.
Connecting with Liberty University School of Aeronautics
For those interested in learning more, Liberty University encourages prospective students to:
- Call: 952-944-2628 to speak with a team member.
- Meet: Contact us to set up a time to meet with an instructor in person at our flight school offices.
- Ask: Got a question? Alternatively, set up a time to meet with a flight instructor in person.
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