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Home > Find a College > Majors & Careers Central > Profiles > Major: Air Transportation

Major: Air Transportation

Love to fly? Fascinated by planes? If so, consider a major in air transportation. It will give you a foundation in all aspects of aviation, from the physics of flight to the art of piloting to the science of management. Air transportation majors often go on to careers as pilots, air traffic controllers, flight instructors, airport and airline managers, and government administrators.

Air transportation majors study aviation as well as the technical and business sides of the aviation industry.

Did You Know?

  • Some programs require that you meet FAA medical standards, which means passing a physical.

Are You Ready To...?

  • Clock forty-five hours in the air, including ten solo hours, in your first semester
  • Train on air traffic control radar simulators
  • Analyze an actual air accident to figure out what went wrong
  • Learn how to lead a flight crew by practicing management principles on classmates
  • Intern at a major airline

It Helps to Be...

Dedicated to learning. To reach your career goals, you may need to get further education after completing this major.

College Checklist

  • Is flight training conducted with an FAA-approved syllabus? How many flight hours are required?
  • If the program is a two-year program, will it prepare you for transfer to a four-year program or for a career?
  • Is the college near a major airport?
  • Does the department have good computer equipment and labs, including a meteorology lab?
  • Is there a strong internship program where you can get hands-on experience?
  • Will the college help you find work after graduation?
  • Does the department sponsor student organizations, such as an aviation club?

Did You Know?

  • It took Charles Lindbergh over thirty hours to fly from New York to Paris in 1927.

Course Spotlight

In your first or second year, you may be required to take a seminar in general aviation. In this class, you might meet working airline executives and learn firsthand about business and aviation issues in the airline industry. You’ll also study the general aviation divisions, such as business aviation and commercial aviation.