Careers in aviation management provide excitement, regular travel, and the opportunity to learn new skills on a regular basis. However, getting ready for a career in this fast-paced industry can be a lengthy process.
You’ll need strong interpersonal and communication skills to work with a wide range of people to be successful in this industry. You must also be able to work under pressure and comprehend complex technical concepts.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that offers an aviation technology program is required for most jobs in aviation management. Physics, microeconomics, statistics, and basic mechanics, as well as aviation technologies, aviation regulations, airline management, and aircraft engineering, are all covered in an undergraduate aviation program. Students in some academic programs can specialize in fixed-based operation management, general airport management, or financial management. Internships or paid part-time work in the aviation industry are also common ways to gain experience.
Students interested in pursuing careers in aviation management should start by looking into schools that offer programs in this field. Because each college or university has slightly different admissions requirements, knowing what prerequisites are required for the school you want to attend is crucial. Most programs will require a strong background in math and science, but you may also need to meet requirements for English or foreign language courses. Your guidance counselor in high school can assist you in learning more about the admissions requirements for the schools that you are interested in attending.
Because aviation management programs are required to include flight training in order to comply with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, the cost of attendance can be significantly higher than for other academic majors. Most schools, on the other hand, offer grants and scholarships to those who qualify. Aid can be awarded based on financial need or academic achievement, and most programs have stringent application requirements. Contact the college’s financial aid office for more information.
A degree in aviation management can lead to a variety of job opportunities. You could work as an accident investigator, air traffic controller, aircraft technician, airline manager, aviation attorney, commercial pilot, fire and crash rescue flight dispatcher, flight instructor, maintenance manager, or safety inspector after graduation. Some of the places that hire people with aviation management experience include aircraft manufacturers, airports, cargo airlines, colleges/universities, medical airline transports, private airlines, professional development centers, and tourism boards.