Thrilling flights. Panoramic views. Adventurous opportunities. The life of a professional pilot is full of exhilarating moments.
Offered as an associate or bachelor's degree, K-State Salina's award-winning professional pilot program is the perfect place to begin your aviation journey. Boasting a premium fleet of 30+ aircraft and flight training devices and a large and active regional airport steps away from the classroom, your education and experience will far outreach the highest of expectation.
Towered airport adjacent to campus Hands-on learning from day one 96% Program placement rateOur flight operations curriculum does more than train pilots – students receive training above and beyond the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) minimum requirements, creating professionals that are confident to fly in all conditions, troubleshoot and solve problems, make ethical decisions and exceed the expectations of the aviation industry. With the degree option's longstanding history at the university, K-State Aerospace and Technology Campus has turned people passionate about aviation into the best pilots in the skies.
K-State Salina's professional pilot degree option is FAA regulation part 141 approved, allowing students to complete commercial pilot training in as little as 190 hours instead of 250 hours , for a bachelor's degree. The training also allows students to qualify for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (R-ATP) in as few as 1,000 hours instead of 1,500 for a bachelor's degree or 1250 hours for an associate degree. (Students are required to meet the minimum credits for R-ATP approved courses. Earning a degree does not equate to an automatic R-ATP.) The R-ATP can be beneficial to students by providing them the ability to fly for the airlines earlier. Training and education is provided by our elite staff, comprised of experts with years of both industry and education experience.
More than 80% of K-State Salina students receive financial assistance, so paying for tuition and flight hours is attainable. In fact, our campus has many gracious supporters of the aviation program who have gifted a variety of scholarships, some specifically to help with flying. We also accept the GI Bill®, which could cover the entire cost of education, depending on a veteran's service.
No commute is necessary when moving from the classroom to the flightline. Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus is located adjacent to the Salina Regional Airport providing students a 12,300-foot runway - one of the longest in the country - as their training facility. The property is also home to crosswind and parallel runways.
Training at IXD is designed for students who want a flight-focused program paired with online education. Limited enrollment allows students to spend more time in the air and less time waiting to fly. A dedicated and concentrated flight schedule provides an efficient way to earn FAA ratings.
At New Century, the classroom is steps away from the flightline. IXD is located in Gardner, Kansas and is easily accessible off of Interstate 35, Exit 210. The New Century AirCenter's main 7,339-foot runway, along with a crosswind runway, and is the third busiest towered airport in Kansas.
Learn more about this program
K-State's aviation program is one of the few in the country that offers students the opportunity to fly a Canadair Regional Jet, or CRJ, 700 simulator. This device is an identical representation of the airplane made by Bombardier and gives pilots hands-on experience running checklist flows, systems and the avionics package associated with an aircraft of this size. Students also are given various flying scenarios, including working as a crew, and their "trips" are recorded so they can examine and improve each flight.
K-State Salina students are pursuing a collegiate-level aviation degree. Academic courses and flight instruction complement each other in a holistic college experience that prepares students for future aviation careers. Every attempt is made to balance student enrollment and available flight training resources with safety and quality instruction.
Unprecedented demand for the flight training program means students are not guaranteed a flight instruction slot upon enrollment. Waitlists, a common occurrence in Part 141 flight programs, are utilized to ensure fair entrance into flight training for all students as spots become available.
Students are added to a training list at the time of enrollment for each rating. Once a flight instruction slot is available, students are assigned a dedicated flight time that aligns with their academic schedules. Students not given a flight instruction slot are not required to pay for enrollment in the flight lab until placed in a flight instruction slot. Academic advisors work closely with students to ensure appropriate course load enrollment is maintained to continue progression towards degree completion.
Career options for professional pilot graduates include, but are not limited to:
Learn more about the courses in the program.
Professional Pilot Associate
Professional Pilot Bachelor's
Our professional advisors are there every step of the way to guide you through your educational journey.
Transferring to K-State Salina? View the transfer matrix (pdf) to see how your courses will transfer. For official information on courses that will transfer, please meet with your advisor!
K-State Salina's professional pilot program is AABI accredited - view the mission and student achievement data.
Helpful resources are listed below.
