Aviation Operations
Aviation Operations
The Aviation Operations Program integrates simulator flight training with rigorous academic study, providing a strong foundation for leadership positions within the aviation industry. The program emphasizes a combination of the technical fundamentals of flight, airport operations, human factors, group dynamics, and safety in order to enhance students’ development of situational awareness, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Miramar College’s Aviation Operations Program meets all requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 141 Pilot Ground School. Upon completion of the program, students are able to complete the FAA Airmen Knowledge Tests for multiple pilot certificates. Flexible course selection and multiple degree and certificate options are available to prepare the student for a variety of career paths in the aviation industry, including commercial pilot, airport management, unmanned systems, human factors, and many more.
Credit For FAA-Issued Pilot Certificates and Ratings
Pending Aviation Department review and approval, students who hold a valid FAA Private, Instrument, Commercial, or Remote Pilot certificate may apply to the Aviation Department for a maximum of 19 units. The units granted with a grade of CR will be posted to the student’s transcript upon completion of the remaining Associate of Science Degree requirements.
Credit for Work Experience
Students who have valid work experience in the aviation industry may challenge a maximum of 15 units. (See Challenge Procedure on page 35). Pending Aviation Operations Program Department review and approval, students who already possess the associated FAA pilot certificate or rating may challenge up to two of the following courses:
- Private Pilot Ground School (AVIA 101)
- Instrument Ground School (AVIA 195)
- Commercial Pilot Ground School (AVIA 201)
- Flight Instructor Ground School (AVIA 211)
Flight Training
Pending Aviation Operations Program Department review and approval, a student awarded a Miramar College Certificate of Performance for an academic phase of ground instruction (AVIA 101, 195, 201, 211) who subsequently earns the associated FAA certificate or rating can request that 3 units of credit be awarded for that flight training. As a result, it is possible for a student to earn up to 12 units at Miramar College for flight training.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Aviation Operations program will be able to:
- Demonstrate preparedness to complete, or continued preparation for, the respective Federal Aviation Administration written examination.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience for employment in an aviation-related career field.
Program Information
Miramar College operates a FAA-approved Pilot School, covering all aeronautical knowledge for private, instrument, and commercial FAA knowledge tests. Our Associate of Science degree programs include all the required ground training (and flight simulator labs) to prepare you for that first flight, drastically reducing the cost of flight training.
Flight training is NOT currently part of our program. All flight training will take place outside of our degree program at a flight training provider of your choosing. Most students and graduates attend local flight schools, local flight clubs, colleges and universities that that do offer flight training.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) and FAA Dispatcher Certificate courses are coming!! We plan to offer them in the Fall 2028 semester. Updates will be posted on our website (see below) when available.
New students: enroll in the college and get a Student ID number and meet with a counselor. Enrollment follows the standard student registration process with access based on your registration date and time. Priority registration dates are viewable in your SDCCD Student Portal. When you are able to, register for AVIA 101, 101L, 105, and 133.
If the roster is full, get on the waitlist. If the waitlist is full, try again next semester. The 16-week fall semester begins in late August, the 16-week spring semester normally begins in early February.
AVIA 125 & 151 are only offered in the Spring; AVIA 128 & 201 are only offered in the Fall. All other courses are taught every semester.
All military and prior experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you have prior education or possess FAA pilot certificates, send transcripts, certificates, and other documentation to Professor Max Moore [email protected]. Explain which courses you’re trying to waive or get credit for, and which courses you are trying to get into.
View the online AVIA class schedule. Recommended course sequences (which class to take in which semester) are under “Important Documents” on our website. The course sequences follow prerequisite requirements; follow them and you won’t be trying to take courses out of order or in a semester they aren’t offered. While you’re there, read the FAQs and other links; feel free to contact me if you still have any questions.
Tuition is $46.00 per unit for CA residents. Non-resident tuition is $304.00 per unit. We offer day and night courses, most of which are in-person.
Contact Counselor Lisa Clarke [email protected] to create an “education plan” and for help with transferring in credit and experience from other schools. Include your student ID number in all communications.
Some other helpful links and resources include:
Outreach (tours): https://sdmiramar.edu/services/outreach
Counseling: https://sdmiramar.edu/services/counseling
Financial Aid: http://www.sdmiramar.edu/campus/financial-aid
Admissions: https://sdmiramar.edu/services/admissions
Veterans and Military contact: http://www.sdmiramar.edu/campus/veterans
This program’s Academic & Career Pathways:
Careers in this Field
The following is an abbreviated list of the myriad of career training options the Aviation Operations Program prepares its graduates to embark upon:
- Airline Management
- Airport Management
- Airport Security
- Air Traffic Control
- Border Patrol
- Commercial Airline Pilot
- Corporate Pilot
- Ag Pilot, Dispatcher
- Banner Towing
- Certificated Flight Instructor
- Airline Flight Operations
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Gate Agent
- Fixed Base Operator Management
- Flying Club Management
- Flight Attendant
- Flight Operations Supervisor
- Unmanned Aircraft Operations
- Transportation Security Administration
Some aviation-related career fields require study beyond the associate degree level. Students intending to transfer to a university in an aviation related major should consider completing an associate degree in the Professional Aeronautics program.
| $46 per unit for California residents | ||
| 27-31 units of AVIA courses for Certificate of Achievement | ||
| 60 units for Associate of Science Degree | ||
| Flight training NOT included. | ||
| Flight training takes place separate from our program at a flight training provider of your choosing on your own. |