EKU Aviation

As the only program of its kind in Kentucky, EKU Aviation provides the aerospace industry with the best trained and safest professional pilots, and the most forward thinking managers coming out of academia today.

The Eastern Kentucky University Aviation Bachelor’s Degree, Professional Flight Option, includes all commercial and instructor pilot ratings.  Its centerpiece – the Multi-Engine Track – gives future pilots the flight time they need to become competitive.  With over 100 hours of multi-engine flying time, our students are prepared for careers in aviation.

EKU Aviation strives to be a world class professional flight academic institution.  We Schedule Students for Success.

Academic Programs

The Bachelor of Science has options in Professional Flight or Aerospace Management. There are three options to choose from:

• Aerospace Management
• Professional Flight-Single-engine Land (SEL)
• Professional Flight-Multi-engine Land (MEL)

Or combine management with one of the flight options. With common core classes, you may do both economically and efficiently.

Professional Flight

Earn your 'wings' at EKU!  The Professional Flight degree has two options - Single Engine Landing (SEL) and Multiengine Landing (MEL). Multiengine option students will fly approximately 100 multiengine hours, making them even more competitive in the job market. Compare EKU Aviation to other programs on the Aviation College Profile and you will see that EKU is the only university offering 100+ multi-engine hours in the U.S.

Professional flight students receive FAA flight certification as a Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot with a single engine and multiengine rating, and Instructor Pilot with a single engine, multiengine, and instrument rating. Additionally, professional flight students receive a world class aviation education in multiple areas of aviation organizational leadership to better prepare them for flying careers in the aerospace industry. TRANSFER YOUR PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE...

Aerospace Management

Aerospace management students prepare for careers at airports, airlines, corporate aviation, and government agencies such as the FAA, NASA and NTSB with hands-on training in operations, scheduling and dispatch for management professionals. Management graduates work in aviation marketing, public relations, human resources, safety and security at the local, national and international level. They also have the opportunity to receive certification as an AAAE Certified Member (AAAE CM) through the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Aviation Careers

The U.S. Department of Labor projects employment of aircraft pilots to increase nine to ten percent through 2014. The “Age 65 Rule”, signed into law in December 2007, will reintroduce the beginning of another pilot shortage in the next few years as the initial wave of already very senior pilots begin to retire. In the long run, demand for air travel is expected to grow along with the population and the economy. Median annual earnings of commercial pilots are around $50,000.

Average entry level incomes for management are $30,000 to $40,000. EKU aviation graduates from both options have found positions with Delta, Comair, Chautauqua Airlines, Jet Blue, Continental, Kentucky Department of Aviation, U.S. Military, San Antonio International Airport, L-3, Kentucky State Police, Louisville Police Department, and through self-employment.

Student Organizations

Eastern Kentucky University’s student chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) seeks to promote professional development and instill professional attitudes in students engaged in the study of airport development, administration, management, and operation, and related fields of aviation. All EKU students are invited to become members. As the world’s largest professional organization for airport executives, the AAAE represents thousands of management personnel at public-use airports nationwide and helps these professionals fulfill their responsibilities to a variety of airport and community constituencies. For more on the EKU Student Chapter of AAAE, contact EKU Aviation.

Live like a Colonel

EKU Aviation students may live in preferred housing on the top floor of Clay Hall. On “The Flight Deck!” you will enjoy weekend activities, study sessions, and adventures worth sharing with fellow aviators. The advantages: endless, the cost: minimal, the experience: priceless. See EKU Housing for details.

Attention Veterans!

Save thousands of dollars using your Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits at EKU. As a public institution of higher learning (IHL), your Aviation degree is fully covered including ALL flight fees (tuition, flight fees, BAH, and textbook stipends are pro-rated for Post 9-11 beneficiaries who have less than 36 months of qualifying service). Plus, at EKU all Post 9-11 GI Bill eligible beneficiaries qualify for in-state tuition regardless of where you are from. If you are taking at least 7 hours you also qualify to draw the monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). 

• EKU has a proud heritage of serving veterans since World War II.  Visit va.eku.edu for ten ways we help veterans achieve their educational goals.
• For more on GI Bill benefits visit: www.gibill.va.gov.

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