General Program Requirements
The Aviation Sciences program does not have any specific admissions requirements for general admission to UMES, although this is subject to change. The course sequence and prerequisites for Aviation Sciences program require that the Aviation Electronic students place into MATH 112 Calculus I to complete the program in eight semesters.
Departmental Requirements
The Aviation Sciences program consists of 120 total credit hours. Students complete 34 credit hours of Aviation core courses and choose one of four concentrations. The concentration areas are Professional Pilot, Aviation Electronics, Aviation Management, and Aviation Software, and each consists of 33 credit hours. The curricula include 41 credit hours of general education courses, 6 credit hours of support courses, and 6 hours of Aviation elective courses.
Educational Objectives
The UMES Aviation program produces graduates who are expected to achieve the following objectives within a few years after graduation:
- Objective 1: Students will be prepared for graduate studies in the field of Aviation Sciences and will demonstrate the skills necessary to be employed in the field of aviation.
- Objective 2: Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the field of aviation.
- Objective 3: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the inner workings of the aviation industry and practical career applications within their specific concentration.
Learning Outcomes
Aviation programs graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- apply mathematics, science, and applied sciences to aviation-related disciplines;
- analyze and interpret data;
- work effectively on multi-disciplinary and diverse teams;
- make professional and ethical decisions;
- communicate effectively, using both written and oral communication skills;
- engage in and recognize the need for life-long learning;
- assess contemporary issues;
- use the techniques, skills, and modern technology necessary for professional practice;
- assess the national and international aviation environment;
- apply pertinent knowledge in identifying and solving problems; and
- apply knowledge of business sustainability to aviation issues.
Career Opportunities
Aviation Sciences is the study of the technical and professional skills and disciplines necessary for the operation and management of aviation enterprises including piloting, business management, administration, and supporting technical areas such as development of aviation specific electronic and software systems. Career opportunities include professional pilots, air traffic controllers, airport managers, airline managers, general aviation operation managers, and navigation/communication/flight control system designers and programmers.
Flight Training
The flight training course syllabus (certified by the Federal Aviation Administration under Part 61 and 141 of the Federal Air Regulations) is designed to prepare students for their FAA pilot and flight instructor certificates in the most effective and efficient manner possible. UMES’ ground instruction, certified under Part 141, provides the broad-based knowledge and experience that are needed for good decision-making of pilots. All Private pilot flight training is conducted by UMES faculty and Instructors. Flight training beyond Private pilot is accepted from FAA Part 141-approved flight schools operating under contract with UMES. Training is monitored by appropriately-rated UMES aviation faculty who also conduct periodic stage checks in flight as part of the students’ flight training courses.
Restricted-ATP Approval
The UMES Aviation Science program is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Restricted-ATP program. This allows program graduates who have completed at least 60 credits of FAA-approved courses and have completed the Instrument and Commercial flight training at UMES to become Airline Transport Pilots with 1000 hours of flight time instead of the normal 1500 hours. Read Contact the Department for more information or see FAA Advisory Circular 61-139.
Flight Training Laboratory Fee
Because the per-student cost of flight training is so much greater than the costs of other University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) educational activities, this cost is not included in the UMES tuition. In order to make flight training more easily accessible, the Department of Engineering & Aviation Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has implemented a Flight Training Laboratory Fee. Students enrolling in designated flight training courses will be charged the fee in accordance with the requirements of the flight training course in which the student is enrolled.
The Flight Training Laboratory Fee will be separate from any other associated costs of flight training and is determined for each practicum course based on the Approved Training Course minimum completion standards and average cost of instruction and aircraft rental. This is a one-time fee that is transferred directly to a UMES-approved flight training provider. These funds must be used for approved flight training purposes toward completion of the associated coursework in which the student is enrolled. UMES has taken into account the likelihood of poor flying conditions and additional flying needed in preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Practical Examinations. Annual updates to the cost of flight training will be made to adjust for the changes in fuel, instruction, and rental costs. Students should refer to the most current version of the UMES Flight Training Handbook for a description of the courses and their associated fees.
These Flight Training Laboratory Fees are meant to cover the minimum flight hours specified under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), Part 141, necessary to graduate within the Professional Pilot concentration. This charge enables students to apply for additional financial aid. Students interested in financial aid to cover the cost of flight training should meet with their departmental advisor and the financial aid office to discuss the various options available.
Training Aids
The Aviation program training aids include a complete selection of visual aids, computer access, and the latest software support for pilots, such as PC-based flight simulation programs and FAA written knowledge test preparation packages. The department has a number of FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs) on campus for instrument and procedures instruction at all levels, from basic flight to advanced multi-engine operations.
Training Device Use
The FAA allows a portion of student’s aeronautical training to be conducted with the University’s Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs). This provides a significant cost savings over the use of an aircraft for the same experience. Additionally, solo practice in the simulator is very useful. As with other laboratory facilities at UMES, it is necessary to charge for the use of the flight simulator to cover the costs of operation and maintenance. Students should review the most current version of the Aviation program’s handbook for current lab fee rates and associated courses.
Medical Examination and Student Pilot Certificate
To qualify for flight training, a student must be enrolled in a degree program at UMES or other member school of the University System of Maryland, pass an appropriate FAA Aviation Medical Examination and apply for and be granted a Student Pilot Certificate. To receive a Student Pilot Certificate, students must create an account at iacra.faa.gov and complete a pilot application for a Student Pilot Certificate. After doing so, students should email their FTN to aviation@umes.edu. Students are advised to use care and avoid typographical errors in the application process. There is currently no fee for a Student Pilot Certificate.
An Aviation Medical Examination is a physical exam given by an FAA-approved physician known as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). It is important that students embarking on a career as a Professional Pilot know before they proceed whether they have a medical condition which would prevent employment as a pilot. Therefore, students intending to enroll in the Professional Pilot concentration are encouraged to obtain an FAA First Class medical (the level required to act as a pilot for an airline) before arriving on campus. Students will apply for a medical at medxpress.faa.gov and find an AME’s listed at www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator. For further assistance, contact the UMES Aviation Sciences program office. AME’s are available in the UMES area to provide examinations to those who do not have one when they arrive. Fees for this examination are approximately $175, and for students under age 40 with no abnormal conditions, the examination is good for five years of training.
Aviation Security Requirements
Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 1552) require all flight training students to either document US citizenship or complete a Federal security background check. Students may participate in non-flight programs without complying with these regulations, but those in flight programs must comply before their first flight. The background checks apply to all non-US citizens, including nationals of other countries with permanent resident status in the US. These checks include fingerprinting, photographing, and submitting personal data, copies of passports, visas, and other documents to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). US citizens must present either a current valid US passport or an original or raised-seal official copy of their certificate of birth or naturalization. Non-US citizen students must make application to the US Transportation Security Administration and pay a fee (currently $130.00) to TSA. This must be accomplished before enrolling in flight training courses at UMES and again before starting instrument training and multiengine training although the fee will only be charged one time. Students are encouraged to complete these actions prior to arrival on campus. Enrollment in flight training courses may begin after full TSA approval is received. UMES is legally obligated to deny training to any student rejected by TSA. As the TSA Flight Student security program is not under UMES’ control, UMES cannot accept any responsibility for it nor can UMES make any promise that any student will pass the checks. More information on the TSA Flight Student security program may be found on the Internet at https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/.
Credit for Prior Flight Training
Students who arrive with FAA pilot and/or flight instructor certificates and ratings will be granted academic credit for completion of the courses for the certificates and ratings held upon satisfactory demonstration of proficiency to the University’s standards (AABI Criterion 2.9). This may be accomplished by taking a standardized test in the University Simulator Laboratory or aircraft using FAA Airman Certification Standards, or via departmental oral exam and interview.
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