Aviation

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Take Flight With Yavapai College

Yavapai College is the premier place to begin a rewarding career in professional aviation. The Aerospace Science Airplane Operations degree allows you to earn private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor certificates and ratings. In as few as six semesters, you will have the required certificates and experience to begin a career as a commercial pilot.

Yavapai College offers several competitive advantages. Our goal is to help you complete the program as quickly and affordably as possible. Compared to four-year aviation training programs, our curriculum allows you to complete training in approximately half the time and up to 60% less financial investment.

Compared to local flight training providers, you will earn a valuable degree that will help you earn leadership or management positions at your chosen company. While many schools charge you $60 per hour or more for “instructor time”, we only charge you what the flight instructor is getting paid. In our program, the student saves at least $20 per instructor flight hour compared to other schools.

Starting your aviation career at Yavapai College, whether you recently graduated high school or hope to change your career path, allows you to begin your career in a healthier financial position while accruing essential experience and seniority to advance your career.

All we ask in return is that you bring your passion, excitement, curiosity, commitment, and hard work!

➡️ Aviation Application

 
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Degrees

The Aerospace Science degree program for Airplane Operations prepares students for entrance into the Airline pilot industry after building the required flight hours and gainig the appropriate licenses.  Students can finish the program in 6 semesters which includes summers.  Ratings include private pilot, instrument, commercial, commercial multi, CFI and CFII.

✅ View Airplane Operations progression plan pdf

Short Term Certificates

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certificate prepares students to become professional unmanned aircraft operators.

Prepare for takeoff with Yavapai College’s Air Traffic Control Academy Prep Certificate. In just 9 credits, you’ll gain the essential skills to pass the FAA entrance exam—including radar ops, tower procedures, and airspace systems. Your future in aviation begins here.

Additional Program Information

Start at Yavapai College - Finish at the university of your choice

We are dedicated to helping students get started at Yavapai College and transfer into the university program that will fit their goals. Through our transfer partnerships and tools we can help you prepare for your next steps. 

Click here for transfer resources

Invest in a brighter future. Explore financial aid, scholarships, payment options and grants. Click here for finacial aid infomation

YC Pipeline Career Exploration

The YC Pipeline career development and job skills platform allows YC students and Yavapai County job seekers to explore in-demand careers that align with their passions, skills, and the region's economic demands. The platform gives students and job seekers advanced insights about the exact skills, education, or certificates they need to reach their career goals. Upon completion of their profile, users will then have access to a variety of career exploration opportunities and information, including job shadowing, service learning, field experience, research, apprenticeship, further education, and other opportunities specific to Yavapai County.

Visit YC Pipeline and complete your profile.

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