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An aviation program student exits a plane on the tarmac at the Aims Community College flight school.

Next Steps

This program has a multi-step application process.

How to Apply

Do you have questions?

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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Windsor Campus

Credits

61

Tuition*

Est. Lab/ Course Fees
$200
Other Fees
$51,491
In-District
$7,981
In-State
$13,065
WUE
$19,230
Out-of-State
$37,258

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

Related Links

General Aviation Pilot

Related Resources

General Aviation Pilot

General Aviation PilotRequirements

Begin your journey as a pilot with this aviation associate degree that builds your skills and confidence in concrete steps. Each semester, you can earn an aviation certificate and take the FAA certification exam for piloting larger and more complicated aircraft. 

The process starts with private pilot flight training that allows you to fly with friends and family. The next semester builds your instrument rating, which teaches you to fly in more difficult weather conditions. The last two semesters cover commercial flight of small aircraft with the option for you to learn multi-engine aircraft. All the while, core and elective classes build your communication and professional skills that are important to any career.

How to get started

Step 1 – Apply

  • Apply to Aims Community College 
  • Select Pre Aviation AAS as your intended major. 
  • Apply for Financial Aid if applicable. 

Step 2 – Are you a VA or Transfer Student

  • If you are a VA Student, submit your DD214 and Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office
  • If you are a transfer student, please have your previous institution send an official transcript to Aims. Learn more on the Transfer Information webpage.
  • If you are not a VA Student or a Transfer Student, go to step 3. 

Step 3 – COMPASS Test

  • Complete the COMPASS (Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System) test. The COMPASS test assesses candidates for flight training by evaluating their abilities in select subjects. The COMPASS test can be taken on your iPad or iPhone in any location. If you do not have the required device, you can have access to one at the Greeley Aims Testing Center. Pay for your COMPASS test.

Step 4 – Aviation Medical Certificate and Proof of US Citizenship

  • If you want to apply for the Air Traffic Control (ATC), Professional Pilot, or General Aviation Pilot degree, it is a requirement that you obtain a valid First- or Second-class FAA Medical Certificate before applying. 
  • You must schedule an exam with an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and pay for this exam. You can find a Colorado Aviation Medical Examiners list here or on the FAA's website.
  • All students must have either the original version OR a combination of the following documents listed by the TSA before starting the program. A list of approved documents can be found here. 
    • Training can't begin until this documentation is provided to Aims. If you are a non-U.S. Citizen and unable to obtain one of the documents approved by the TSA, please email aviation@aims.edu.

Step 5 – Complete the Aviation Application

  • Complete the Aims Aviation Application
  • Applications must be completed no later than: 
    • Fall Term: First Monday of April
    • Spring Term: First Monday of October
    • Summer Term: Aims Aviation does not accept new students for Summer Term

Step 6 – Advising Appointment

  • Schedule an advising appointment by contacting the Windsor Pathway Advising Team at (970) 339-6610, option 2.
  • **Admittance into the flight program is contingent on the ability to pass a required drug screening.
Required General Education Courses: Credits

Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 3

Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4

Focuses on mechanics, heat, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism, and light. Incorporates laboratory experience. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4
Arts & Humanities Course Credits: 3 Behavioral & Social Sciences Course Credits: 3
Total General Education Credits 17
Required Aviation Courses: Credits

Prepares student for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land ~ FAA Knowledge Exam. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single-Engine, Land FAA Practical Test, and completing requirements for the Private Pilot Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
AVT 1001
 4

Focuses on the history of the Air Traffic Control System, including its structure, function, and operation. Also includes radar operations and the future of the National Airspace System. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 3

Focuses on recognition, interpretation and evaluation of atmospheric weather as it relates to and affects aviation. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4

Focuses on preparation for the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better

 4

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Instrument Rating, Single Engine Airplane FAA Practical Test, and completing requirements for the Instrument Rating. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 and AVT 1002 with grades of "C" or better

 4

Develops the skills necessary to operate in IFR conditions, using a single-engine flight trainer. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better

 4

Prepares the student for the Commercial Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land FAA Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1002 and AVT 1011 with grades of "C" or better 

 2

This course is the first of a two-part sequence of flight training in preparation for the Commercial Pilot Certificate, Airplane, Single Engine Land FAA Practical Test. Consists of the cross country aeronautical experience required for the Commercial Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1012 with a grade of "C" or better

 3

Continuation of flight training in preparation for the Commercial Pilot, Airplane Single Engine, Land FAA Practical Test, completing requirements for the Commercial Pilot Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

 4

Focuses on initial orientation to the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), introduces the concept of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and provides insight into the management of aviation safety programs. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 2
Total Required Aviation Credits 38
Aviation Elective Courses: Credits

Choose five (5) credits from the following AVT courses, with advisor approval.

Introduces and emphasizes proper usage of phraseology and flight progress strip preparation in the air traffic control system. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Air Traffic Control majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 2

Focuses on classroom instruction covering human factors/crew resource management (CRM)/single pilot resource management (SRM). Specific topics include aeronautical decision making (ADM), situational awareness, crew coordination, communication, human error, fatigue, fitness, attitudes, training devices, controls, and workload management. Students will learn about and identify human performances that affect aviation in both crew and single pilot environments. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1011 with a grade of "C" or better

 1

Prepares the student for the FAA Practical Test for Private or Commercial Pilot, Airplane Multi-Engine Land. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

 1

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Airplane, Multi-Engine Rating and completing requirements for this Rating. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2003 with a grade of "C" or better

 1

Develops the skills necessary to operate in a single-pilot flight environment in IFR conditions, using a multi-engine aircraft flight trainer. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

 2
2

Focuses on preparation for the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2012
 2

Focuses on preparation for the FAA Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2011
 2

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Flight Instructor Airplane, Single-Engine Land FAA Practical Test, completing requirements for the Flight Instructor Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2003, AVT 2011 and AVT 2012 with grades of "C" or better

 1

Focuses on basic transport-category aircraft systems. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2001 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2033
 3

Focuses on flight training in preparation to receive the Tail-Wheel Endorsement from a Certificated Flight Instructor. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 and AVT 1002 with grades of "C" or better

 1

Covers the regulations pertaining to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations including airspace, weather, and flight parameter limitations. This course covers UAS components and systems, maintenance, autonomy, ground stations, and telemetry in preparation for the UAS Operator written test. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 3

Introduces the regulations pertaining to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), operations including airspace, weather, and flight parameter limitations. This course also covers UAS components and systems, maintenance, autonomy, ground stations, and telemetry. The topics covered are included in the UAS Operator written test. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 2

Focuses on the wide variety of commercial applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and operating procedures to ensure a safe outcome for executing such applications including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), aerial imaging and survey techniques, multispectral and Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging systems (LIDAR) agriculture, and other UAS mission types. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

UAS 1055 and UAS 2055 with grades of "C" or better

 3
Total Required Aviation Elective Credits 5
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 60