Professional Flight
B.S. in Flight Education
We offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Flight Education/Professional Flight where students earn their private, instrument, commercial, and certified flight instructor certificates upon completion. With these certificates, you can enter the job market prepared to fly for commercial aviation companies from United Airlines to jetBlue.
Potential Careers
- Aerial Photography Pilot
- Aerobatic Pilot
- Agricultural Pilot
- Airline Pilot
- Cargo Pilot
- Charter Pilot
- Corporate Pilot
- Drone Pilot
- EMS/Medical Pilot
- FAA Pilot Examiner
- Ferry Pilot
- Firefighting Pilot
- Flight Instructor
- Line Check Pilot
- Military Pilot
- Test Pilot
$226K
Many of our Flight Education graduates have gone on to have successful careers with United Airlines, Delta Airlines, FedEx Express, Republic Airways, ExpressJet Airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The hard work pays off as according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for airline and commercial pilots as of 2024 is $226,600.
As a professional flight student at Hampton University, you begin working towards your private pilot license from your very first day through our partner, Rick Aviation and their FAA-approved part 141 program.
Considering becoming a drone pilot?
Consider majoring in Aviation Management with a concentration in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), a $82 billion industry with a rapidly growing demand for drone pilots. The UAS sector is expected to create 100,000 jobs.
Mission & Goals
The Flight Education program aims to prepare students to become professional pilots that will benefit aviation and the transportation industry. Additionally, the program will simulate excellence and self-improvement, maintain uniform educational quality with industry standards, and increase the credibility, integrity, and acceptance of collegiate aviation programs among industry, government, and the public. Graduates will be able to describe the principles of aircraft design, performance, and operating characteristics; and the regulations related to maintenance of aircraft and associated systems. The program will create highly skilled, professional pilots who can evaluate aircraft safety and solve complex problems. The Hampton University Aviation program is and will remain accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
Students in the Flight Education major will:
1) Have a strong liberal arts background;
2) Be able to effectively communicate through written and oral methods;
3) Have the FAA credentials of a commercial pilot certificate and a flight instructor certificate so graduates can get an entry-level flying job;
4) Have an understanding of aircraft design standards, performance, operating characteristics, and systems;
5) Have established a culture and appreciation of aviation safety, including human factors and CRM;
6) Know how the aviation industry and the governing agencies are organized so graduates can navigate their careers;
7) Have the math skills to plan navigation, calculate aircraft performance, and other computations to ensure a safe and efficient flight;
8) Have knowledge of legal and labor issues related to the aviation industry; and
9) Have knowledge and understanding of airspace and ATC so graduates can navigate efficiently, safely, and legally
