Professional Pilot

Explore on This Page

• Job Titles & Career Info
• Our Program
• Degrees & Certificates
• Attend an Information Session
• How Much Time & Money to Finish?
• Earn More Choices & More Money
• Start on Your Pathway!

Job Titles & Career Info

Our Program

We partner with US Aviation Academy and Veracity Aviation to offer our program at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

Why Choose Professional Pilot?

• Follow an FAA Part 141-approved flight training curriculum
• Get the classroom & in-air experience you need to succeed as you earn FAA Pilot certifications, licenses & additional ratings
• Maximize your career potential: Apply your Professional Pilot A.A.S.  toward a bachelor's degree at a 4-year college or university

Prepare for What You Will Do at Work

• Check the condition of the aircraft before & after each flight
• Plan flights & submit plans to air traffic control
• Coordinate with copilot, flight engineer, air traffic controllers & ground crew during takeoff & landing
• Be flexible & work with changing conditions, including weather & mechanical emergencies

Marketable Skills You Will Learn

• Critical thinking
• Reasoning
• Communication
• Personal & social responsibility
• Teamwork
• Computer literacy

Before You Enroll, Think About:

Choice of Tracks

You will choose 1 of these tracks:

• Fixed Wing Track: Learn to fly airplanes.
• Rotor Wing Track: Learn to fly helicopters.

Admission Process: Professional Pilot

Admission to our aviation programs is a multi-step, time-sensitive process. The College registration deadlines and information do not reflect the aviation program registration processes.

Our Professional Pilot program typically has a waitlist of approximately 1 year before prospective students are eligible to begin the program. Our Professional Pilot, Helicopter program does not currently have a waitlist.

Start the Admission Process

You begin the admission process by attending the Aviation Information Session, where we will give you detailed registration information.

To register, see on this page: Attend a required information session.

Get on the Waitlist for Professional Pilot

1. Attend the required Aviation Information Session
2. Submit the program-specific application
3. Complete the program-specific application steps
4. Attend the program-specific orientation
5. Be placed on the waitlist

Have questions about the waitlist?

Email us at aviation@tccd.edu

We Accept Private & Instrument Applicants

Have no flight experience?

You are a private applicant.

You need to begin with private training to earn your private pilot license (PPL).

Apply to our Commercial Pilot Certificate. The first semester of the certificate program will give you the training you need to get your PPL.

As a private applicant, you will begin under the certificate program. When you have your PPL and start instrument training, you will begin our degree program.

Have your PPL in hand?

You are an instrument applicant.

If you finished your private training at a different school, then you are eligible to apply to and enroll in Professional Pilot, A.A.S.

Projected Flight Costs

See detailed Projected Flight Costs in the Catalog.

Other Costs

• Tuition: Tuition & Fees
• Books: $600 (approximate)
• Tools: $400–$1,200

Time Commitment

You can complete our A.A.S. program in 2 years whether you take day or night classes.

Day Classes

• Days: Monday–Friday
• Class hours: 7:40 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Flight hours: arranged

Night Classes

• Days: Monday–Thursday
• Hours: 5:40–8:50 p.m.
• Flight hours: arranged

Licensing Notice: Texas House Bill 1508

This program prepares you for an occupational license. However, you may not be eligible for licensing if you have a prior criminal history.

For more details, see Texas House Bill 1508 Licensing Requirements

Need a boost to get ready for college?

Talk to your advisor about Developmental Studies if your TSI scores say you need some help in math or reading and writing.

Degrees & Certificates

Degree

(Private Flight Rating Required)

• Professional Pilot, AAS

Certificates

Level 1

(Private Flight Applicants)

• Commercial Pilot

Enhanced Skills

• Flight Instructor

Attend an Information Session

You must attend a mandatory Aviation Information Session to begin the application process.

Register for an Info Session

We will send you a reminder email 1 week before the date of the information session you signed up for.

If you don’t receive reminder emails after your register, check your junk or spam folder.

Live farther than 2 hours away from the Alliance Airport?

Please email the Aviation department to schedule a virtual information session.

Questions?

Email aviation@tccd.edu

How Much Time & Money to Finish?

2023–2024 Academic Year

Notes:

• Tuition is based on in-state, in-county rates.
• Totals do not include textbooks and other materials.

Projected Flight Costs

Flight-related fees are the biggest expenses in our program.

See detailed Projected Flight Costs in the Catalog.

Earn More Choices & More Money

Transfer to a college or university to continue your studies. Earning a bachelor’s degree opens the door to career and promotion opportunities.

Next steps

• Talk to your advisor about planning for transfer
• Explore transfer schools

Start on Your Pathway!