Department of
Aviation


Why Study at Andrews?

The Andrews Advantage

The aviation department operates a fleet of single-engine Piper Archers, and a twin engine Piper Seminole for flight training courses. All aircraft are professionally maintained by the departments' FAA-certified mechanics. Andrews University's airfield is located 1-1/2 miles from campus, students are responsible for their own transportation to/from the airfield.  

Our flight simulation building with flight training devices is used for training and draws community and nearby companies to use the simulators as well.   Also used is a Mitsubishi MU2 that we use for ground operations and learning the complexity of a turbo prop start cycle.

The aviation department also offers employment opportunities to advanced students as Certified Flight Instructors and licensed Maintenance students to obtain valuable experience and expertise as openings allow.
Flight instructors within the first two years of their university career  start student teaching the fall of their Junior year.  Your interview starts the moment you begin your Andrews career as an aviation freshman. 

Mission training combined with flight training from experienced mission pilots with airframe and powerplant certificates is also available.
Andrews offers many other world mission and cultural courses on a highly multicultural campus, from studying abroad to becoming a student missionary for a year.

Flight students gain valuable corporate experience in crew resource management, while gaining multi-engine flight time. The Aviation Department offers transitional training for turboprop and light jets in our flight training devices as well as glass cockpit training with-in our Piper fleet.

Graduates from Andrews University's Aviation program have successfully entered a variety of aviation-related fields, from mission pilots to commercial pilots, crop dusters to corporate jets, service men and women who have flown large cargo style aircraft to medivac helicopters.  Our professors are genuinely interested in your success; dedicated to ensuring you realize your career ambitions in an academically stimulating and spiritually enriching environment.

Linking your Future

Current Students:

Access Flight Schedule Pro here to check your reservations, aircraft maintenance schedule, and your pilot profile.

Andrews Links
Other Quick Links

Documents

  • International Flight School Candidates - Before commencing the application, contact the Department so we can validate the application. Non-validated applications will be rejected and have to be redone. Note: Andrews University Department of Aviation provides Category 3 Flight Training. 

Students & Aviation Enthusiasts Alike

Weather services:
Zulu Time
Airport information
Global Position System (GPS)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Airline Owners and Pilots Association
Flight Tracking
Ground School Resources 

Career Opportunities

Airline Transport Pilot: fly for major and regional airlines that transport people or cargo on single or multi-engine airplanes. 

Commercial Pilot: fly for major airlines that transport people or cargo on single or multi-engine airplanes. Commercial pilots also fly aircraft for other reasons, such as charter flights, rescue operations, firefighting, aerial photography, and crop dusting.

Missionary Pilot: fly for a faith-based institution. You will serve those in their deepest need and receive the rewarding feeling of servicing others through your flying skills.

Military Pilot: fly with the armed forces of a government or nation-state. Their tasks involve combat and non-combat operations, including direct hostile engagements and support operations.

Corporate Pilot: fly for a private business company who will train you on their type of aircraft and they will help you become a professionally developed pilot in their area.

Flight Test Pilot: is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated.

Certified Flight Instructor: become a pilot who teaches others to fly aircraft. You will serve to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit of a higher pilot's license, certificate or rating.

Flight Attendant: provides safety briefings to passengers, making sure that their air passage is satisfactory from boarding to disembarkment.  

Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator: an unmanned aerial systems operator is a remote pilot of unmanned observation aircrafts that gather intelligence used in operational tactics. As intelligence specialists, they are integral to providing Army personnel with information about enemy forces and battle areas.

Aviation Safety Inspector (FAA): these inspectors operate in a variety of fields such as operations, maintenance, avionics, cabin safety, aircraft dispatcher. You will apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, the general principles of aviation safety, and the Federal laws, regulations, and policies affecting aviation

Airport Manager: you can find yourself leading a team of pilots, aircraft technicians and other people involved in the aviation world at an airport.
Administrative Support: you may assist the airport manager in all the paperwork necessary to keep an airport running. Assist in financial management, planning, development, budgeting, clerical duties and general administrative responsibilities.

Air Traffic Control: work for the Federal Aviation Administration and traffic in specified areas such as towers (local control), ground control, approach/departure control and en-route traffic control.

Airport Dispatcher: be employed by an airline and review weather for the flight, prepare fuel loads, flight routing and filing flight plans for the flight, then follow flights to their destination.

Schedule Planner: assist an airport or airline to schedule pilots in different flight times. Also schedule flights depending on availability of both aircraft and pilots.

Ground Operator (various positions): help with aircraft parking assistance, work directly with the airplane to fuel, add oil if necessary, clean aircraft structures, load baggage in appropriate compartments, etc.

Aircraft Technician: earn your airframe and power-plant certificates given by the Federal Aviation Administration and inspect and perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft systems

Federal Aviation Administration Certificates

In addition to our regular degree programs, we offer the following certificates and ratings to anyone who registers at our office. All FAA written tests and most flight exams are done on site. View our programs and fees for more information, including pricing for certificates.

Flight

1.) Private Pilot

  • Single and Multi-Engine Land, Instrument

2.) Commercial Pilot

  • Single and Multi-Engine Land, Instrument

3.) Certified Flight Instructor

  • Single and Multi-Engine Land, Instrument, Instrument Ground

4.) Airline Transport Pilot

 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions that aren't listed and can't find them anywhere on our website send us an email.

How and when do I apply to the Aviation Program?

You must fill out a completed Andrews University application, and upon acceptance you may apply to the Aviation Department. For more information about applying for admission to Andrews University, please call (269) 471-6343, or visit our website.

What do I need to qualify for the Aviation Program?

  • To qualify for admission into the Aviation Program, you must be accepted by Andrews University.
    • The average student is accepted on probationary status and reviewed at the end of each FAA licensure course before they are allowed progression in their degree program.
  • You must also be able to pass the FAA 1st class medical and have eyesight that is correctable to 20/20.
    • For information about FAA medicals please visit the resources tab scroll down to Federal Aviation Administration and click on find an Aviation Medical Examiner.
  • Additionally, we will need an original birth certificate and government photo ID or current passport upon acceptance into the program.
  • International students will need to complete the International Flight School Candidate form found in the resources tab under documents.

Do I need to have a car as an aviation student?

It is strongly recommended to have a car or another means of transportation. Our flight training facility and academic building are located at the Andrews Airpark (3898 Griggs Dr. Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104), approximately 1 mile from the main campus. Students also carpool with other peers in their classes.

Are Scholarships available?

No aviation related scholarships are available through the Department of Aviation at Andrews University, but many scholarships are given by Andrews University.
There are also plenty of aviation scholarships offered nationwide; simply Google: Aviation Scholarships and follow the steps to apply for them.

Should I visit the campus?

We highly recommend that you come visit us at any time. The university sponsors preview weekend events that you can participate in, or you can visit on your own time when it is convenient for you.
We encourage you to attend an aviation class or two during your visit. Tell the visit coordinator that you would like to do this.

Are your programs accredited?

Yes, we are fully accredited by the Higher learning Commission (HLC), the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist (AAA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Part 141 flight training that leads to the Letter of Authorization that allows Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) to get their ATP with 1000 hours, rather than 1500. Saving you money and time.

What type of experience does your senior Faculty & Staff have?

Our senior Faculty & Staff have many years of aviation experience ranging from mission flying, corporate, airline environment, cargo, and military flying, and maintaining aircraft for most of their lives.

Are summer aviation classes available?

Yes, however they are reserved for students who need to make up flight time. No summer classes are available for incoming freshmen. All freshmen must start in the Aviation Program the Fall of their first year.

How long will it take to get my Private Pilot Certificate?


You should be able to complete your certificate by the end of your first semester. The more times a week that you are able to fly, the less total time it will take you. According to the FAA, you are required to have logged at least 40 hours of flight time for your certificate. NOTE: Students enrolled in flight training courses for university credit are expected to finish the flight training course they are registerd in by the end of that semester.

When do you usually become a Flight Instructor?

In order to become a Flight Instructor by the Fall of your Junior year you may have to stay one if not two summers. The summer gives us quality flying days and we don't want to pass them up. In order to qualify, the individual must sit before the Certified Flight Instructor Board. We consider individuals based on their spiritual walk, reputation, professional appearance, and maturity. Once you have been interviewed and hired as a flight instructor we will work with you to schedule your flights around your academic schedule. Flight Instructing allows you to begin building your hours so that you will have the required flight time to be hired upon graduation or shortly thereafter. Understand that the opportunity to teach is limited due to high competition among our students.

How long does it take to obtain my Airframe an Powerplant Ratings?

Our Aviation maintenance Technician School is set up so that to obtain both ratings it takes six semesters (three school years). You will obtain one rating each year. We alternate years, so that one year we offer the General, Airframe rating, and the following year we offer the Powerplant rating.

Is the Department of Aviation a member of the University Aviation Association?

Yes

Is the Department of Aviation a member of the International Association of Missionary Aviation?

Yes, IAMA hosted their annual conference in our facilities in May of 2013

What costs are associated with the Department?

You will pay for the rental of the airplane (aircraft insurance and fuel included) and the training you receive from your qualified flight instructor. As a University Student your Tuition covers the flight instructor fees. For aircraft rental fees visit the Fees page

Do I have to register as a student through the University to take flight training?

No, if you are a U.S. Citizen, you are not required to be an Andrews' student to earn your pilot ratings unless you are seeking a college degree. If you are a non-U.S. Citizen, as part of the FAA requirements, you will have to be formally accepted into a degree program at Andrews University and apply for permission to initiate flight training with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

What Job opportunities are available to me as a student?

The main campus of Andrews University has plenty of job opportunities for current students. If you are looking to work at the Department of Aviation, we have options like lab assistants, line service technicians, and office assistants.

What Job opportunities are available after I finish my training?

Many of our flight students earn their Flight Instructor's Certificate and work here at our airport and build up hours for job placement. Also we work closely with alumni of our department who own their own companies who hire our graduates for aerial photography. We have several former students who are working for airlines, either as pilots or technicians. Corporate and General Aviation companies are also growing currently. We inform students of job opportunities when we hear of openings.

How may I contact you?

Visit the Stay Connected page and stop on by for a visit.
 

 

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Department of Aviation