This section is designed to answer the most common questions asked by prospective students. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us at the numbers listed at the end of this document.
Q.What is the Center for Aviation Studies?
The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies (CAS) is a leading center for aviation related research, education, and scholarship. The mission of the CAS is to incorporate engineering, business, and behavioral philosophies into a multi-disciplinary approach to the many components of the aviation industry. The CAS offers world-class flight education programs, academic degree programs, research initiatives, and outreach activities on local, regional, national, and international levels.
The CAS has two locations: The Ohio State University Airport, where the focus is on research, flight education, and outreach activities, and the Columbus Campus, where the focus is on research and the undergraduate academic programs.
Three colleges offer the aviation major; the College of Engineering, the Fisher College of Business, and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. The following degrees are possible.
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, from the College of Engineering
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences: Air Transportation, from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences
- Bachelor of Science Business Administration, from the Fisher College of Busines
- Aviation minors are also possible to compliment other specific majors.
Q. How many students graduate every year?
An average of 50 aviation students graduate annually.
Q. Why choose Ohio State Aviation?
Our students are attracted to the size, reputation, depth, diversity, possibilities, and the experience of a world class, nationally ranked university and a well-known and well-established aviation program. They enjoy the best of both worlds: a large university community but a small, closely-knit department.
The Ohio State University Airport is one of only two university-owned and operated airports in the state. The airport has its own Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) control tower with radar service. The airport provides an excellent learning environment, a high level of safety, and valuable hands-on experience for students.
Central Ohio is home to a number of significant aviation companies. These companies actively and aggressively support Ohio State aviation students.
Ohio State aviation students find the costs to be competitive with other aviation programs.
Q. Why is the aviation major offered through three colleges?
Aviation is a very diverse field, and is larger than any one single program, department, or college. Offering a degree through the colleges of Engineering, Business, or Arts and Sciences allows aviation students to choose which degree program captures their interest.
Q. How do I decide which college is the best choice for me?
An individual’s skills, abilities, interests, and goals will help the student match up to the best college.
Q. Can I change my college and/or my specialization?
Students are able to change their college and/or their specialization. Before making any changes, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor, not only to discuss changes, but to regularly review their progress on an ongoing basis.
Q. Is there an aviation minor?
An Aviation-Minor is available. It can be used to complement a student’s current degree program, earn extra credit hours, or to become more informed about aviation. Please see your academic advisor for more details.
Q. How many students are in various aviation specialization?
There are approximately 250 aviation students, generally evenly split between Professional Pilot and Aviation Management.
Q. Are the costs of the Professional Pilot certification included in tuition?
The costs for the flight education component of the Professional Pilot specialization are not part of regular tuition. They are processed as laboratory fees in addition to regular tuition. However, flight lab fees are included on the tuition statement, which allows a student to apply for greater amounts of financial aid or to use veteran’s benefits to cover the costs of flight training. At the beginning of each new flight lab, a student is required to pay up-front the cost of the course. For more information about costs and flight lab fee policies, please click here.
Q. Besides traditional financial assistance resources, are there aviation financial assistance resources for tuition and/or flight lab fees?
CAS offers six internal scholarships every year with varying eligibilities and award amounts totaling upwards of $10,000. More information about these scholarships can be found on the CAS website (www.aviation.osu.edu). In addition, many industry groups and nonprofits also offer scholarships to students. Numerous scholarships are available specific to aviation. Local businesses offer a number of scholarships specific to Ohio State Aviation as do a number of other sponsors.
Please see the Scholarships section of this website for more information.
Q. How long does the flight component of Professional Pilot Specialization take?
The flight component is designed to last nine quarters. However, adverse weather conditions may affect program completion time. It is suggested that students begin flying as soon as possible, continue flying during summer quarters, and allow extra time for completion.
Q. Which licenses and ratings are earned in the Professional Pilot specialization?
The flight component of Professional Pilot begins with the student earning a Private Pilot license. Following the Private Pilot license, an instrument rating is added. Then the student earns a Commercial Pilot license with a complex aircraft endorsement. The graduation requirement is met by either obtaining a multi-engine rating or a Certified Flight Instructor license.
Q. How many flight hours do Professional Pilot students have when they graduate?
On average, students will graduate from the aviation program with approximately 250 hours total time. This can vary depending on the student.
Q.How many aircraft does CAS own?
The flight school owns a fleet of four Cessna 152s, nine Cessna 172s, two Piper Arrows, one Cessna 310, one Cirrus SR20, and a Cessna 210.
Q. Do military branches provide financial assistance for tuition and/or flight education?
This is a question best answered by each branch. Generally, ROTC programs provide financial assistance for tuition, but not for laboratory fees. Deferred Active Duty and Reserve commitments likewise often provide assistance. Contact each branch to learn their specific benefits.
Q. Where is The Ohio State University Airport located?
The airport is located seven miles northwest of campus, approximately eleven minutes away. From campus, go north on OH-315, take the Bethel Rd. exit, and follow the signs to the airport. The address of the airport is:
The Ohio State University Airport
2160 West Case Road
Columbus, OH 43235
For more information about the airport, please visit:
The Ohio State University Airport
Q. Is there transportation to the airport?
Currently, there is no Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) to the airport. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) makes a stop approximately a half-mile south of the airport. There is also the Connect car program on campus, offered by OSU Transportation & Parking and Hertz. Students can check one of these cars out, drive to the airport, and return the car back to its spot on campus. Fuel, insurance, maintenance, and campus parking are included. Enrolled freshmen that live on campus and would like to use a car to travel to the airport for flight labs are able to obtain special permission to have a car on campus. Please contact an academic advisor for more information.
Q. Are there aviation employment, internship, co-op, or other opportunities for students?
The university airport offers employment opportunities to upwards of 20 students per year. Jobs include customer relations, external relations and line service. With the amount of corporate and business aircraft using the airport, students will get first-hand exposure to many aspects of the airport environment. In addition, Central Ohio is rich with premier aviation companies who regularly provide opportunities for students. Involvement in the industry compliments the students’ education, provides networking contacts, and gives real-life experiences during their education. After graduation, significant numbers of students begin their careers with these companies. Please see the Internships and Employment pages of this website for more information.
Q. What’s the typical career track for a student completing a Professional Pilot specialization?
To build upon the average of 250 flight hours at graduation, Professional Pilot graduates typically flight instruct, fly industrial applications, charters, cargo, and/or business aviation missions. These examples are by no means exhaustive but do indicate the variety of available career building experiences. Generally speaking, at approximately 700+ hours, one becomes qualified for additional opportunities with regional airlines, and larger charter, cargo, and business aviation missions.
Q. What’s the typical career track for a student completing a Aviation Management specialization?
Aviation Management graduates go directly to operational positions with airports, airlines, charters, fractional aviation, fixed base operators, corporate flight departments, aircraft manufacturers, aviation services, and government aviation agencies. Like Professional Pilot graduates, Aviation Management graduates “build” their hours of experience by distinguishing themselves applying the concepts and practices of the Management curriculum. Our industry partners report that Aviation Management graduates are more quickly promoted than others with unrelated degrees.
Q. What is the average starting salary?
According to the Air Line Pilots Association, International, most airline pilots begin their careers at about $20,000 per year. Wages increase each year until the pilot accumulates the experience and seniority needed to become a captain. The average captain at a regional airline company earns about $55,000 per year, while the average captain at a major airline company earns about $135,000 per year. For aviation management students, the entry level professional positions mentioned above typically pay $24,000 to $36,000 per year. According to Payscale.com, average salaries for aviation managers as of June 2009 were $79,465.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics; Payscale.com
Q.Does CAS have career fairs?
Yes, Industry Night brings dozens of industry and government manager to campus for a discussion of the state of the industry and the career paths it offers.
Q.Does CAS have a bridge program?
Yes, the Pilot Training Bridge Program (Bridge Program) allows select OSU Flight Education students and staff to begin ground training in the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) 200, with the possibility of entering PSA’s Pilot Training Program.
Q. Is flight training available for non-aviation students, faculty, staff, or the general public?
Yes. To learn how to begin flying, please visit our Flight Training Clinic page for more information.
Q. How many instructors teach at CAS?
CAS has an instructional staff of approximately 10-15 per semester, including 4 full time lecturers devoted specifically to teaching aviation courses. Our flight instruction staff at the airport is currently made up of 16 certified flight instructors.
Q. Are most aviation classes taught at the airport or on campus? What is the average class size?
Most classes are offered on campus. A few classes and all flight labs are also scheduled at the airport.
Aviation classes are typically capped at and will not exceed 50 students. Most classes range in size from 25-40 students. Flight labs are taught one-to-one with a Certificated Flight Instructor.
Q. The flight school at CAS has an FAA status as Part 141. What are the reasons for a flight student to choose to attend a Part 141 flight school rather than a Part 61 flight school? Our Part 141 flight education curriculum is annually monitored and approved by the FAA. In return, our students are typically able to earn their licenses at FAA approved reduced minimum hours. Having an approved curriculum allows the school to properly focus on full time students whose eventual goal is a professional flight career.
Q. Can students transfer from other universities? How about Part 61 Flight Schools?Students transferring from other aviation universities with aviation credits will need to submit syllabi from their aviation courses and grades for credit consideration by the CAS. Other transfer credits are evaluated by The Ohio State University. More information about non-aviation transfer credits and their applicability at Ohio State can be found at https://www.transfer.org/uselect/login.htm. Transferring credit for flight ratings must be approved by the CAS chief flight instructor, Candi Robi. (614-292-5614 or crobi@osuairport.org)
Q.How much time does it take to complete all degree/ratings?
Each of the three degrees offered by the CAS Studies can be completed in four years, including some summers especially for flight labs. The amount of time to complete the degree may change depending on individual circumstances.
Q. Who should I contact for more information?
Recruitment and Outreach Cindy Overly Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator 614.247.4366coverly@osuairport.org Aviation Management Jim Oppermann
Lecturer
614.688.8746
oppermann.1@osu.edu
Professional Pilot
Candi Roby
Chief Flight Instructor
614.292.5614
croby@osuairport.org
614.292.8978
brown.2199@osu.edu Schedule an appointment. Flight Training Clinic Manager Ann Dee Hamilton 614.292.5473 ahamilton@osuairport.org Dispatcher Brian Strzempkowski
614.292.5614
bstrzempkowski@osuairport.org
