Professional Flight Program

Take to the skies in our planes or practice in our simulators as you prepare for a career as a commercial, corporate or charter pilot.

Majors in this degree program

Major Name Location:
Professional Flight West Lafayette

Accreditation

AABIAABI: The Professional Flight Program at Purdue University is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International.

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology complements and strongly supports the mission of Purdue University in serving the citizens of the State of Indiana, the nation, and the world, through learning, discovery, and engagement activities. Specifically, the School’s mission statement is as follows:

  • The mission of the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology is to prepare the next generation of leaders and change agents for the transportation sector.

Program Educational Goals (PEGs) and Competencies

Consistent with the mission of the School, the mission of the Professional Flight Technology program is as follows:

  • The mission of the Professional Flight program is to prepare the next generation of professional pilots and leaders in flight operations.

The Professional Flight faculty and the Industry Advisory Board have identified six program- level competencies that map across the previously used program educational goals. The competency-based assessment provides the additional advantage of both rigorous as well as progressive assessment of students’ attainment of requisite knowledge, abilities, and skills throughout their educational experience:

     1.  Leadership
     2.  Technical Excellence
     3.  Decision-Making
     4.  Communication
     5.  Teamwork
     6.  Resilience

Three levels of performance were identified for each competency: emerging (level 1), developing (level 2), and proficient (level 3). Instruments of direct measures and the corresponding assessment rubrics are being developed, implemented, and improved upon.

Student Learning Outcomes

Aviation programs MUST demonstrate that graduates are able to:

A.      apply mathematics, science, and applied sciences to aviation-related disciplines;
B.      analyze and interpret data;
C.      work effectively on multi-disciplinary and diverse teams;
D.      make professional and ethical decisions;
E.      communicate effectively, using written communication skills;
F.      communicate effectively, using oral communication skills
G.     engage in and recognize the need for life-long learning;
H.     assess contemporary issues;
I.       use the techniques, skills, and modern technology necessary for professional practice;
J.       assess the national and international aviation environment;
K.     apply pertinent knowledge in identifying and solving problems;
L.     apply knowledge of business sustainability to aviation issues.

Enrollment Trends

  2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021
West Lafayette 268 247 243 221 223 209 216 218 236 268 278 287 332

Number of Graduates

  2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021
West Lafayette 12 37 55 61 56 79

Enrollment Trends and Number of Graduates data is sourced from Purdue’s Office of Enrollment Management's Data Digest.

Placement Data*

Number of Graduates Percent of Grads Reported Placement Rate Continuing Education Average Salary
48 81.25% 97.44% 7 $55,625