Sinclair College offers one of the most comprehensive aviation technology programs in the nation which includes Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot and Unmanned Aerial Systems. Sinclair's bachelor and associate degrees and technical certificate programs prepare graduates for careers as commercial fixed wing and helicopter pilots, aircraft mechanics, flight attendants, aircraft dispatchers, aviation managers and unmanned aerial systems operators and technicians. View all available Aviation Programs below. Graduates of our programs can also choose to continue their education in aviation by transferring to another college or university. Sinclair students can transfer their associate’s degree credits to complete a bachelor's degree through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has granted authority to Sinclair to certify graduates of its Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot degree programs to be eligible for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with reduced aeronautical experience (R-ATP). The required total flight time for graduates of this program to obtain R-ATP certification has been reduced from 1,500 to 1,250 hours (Associate) or 1,000 hours (Bachelor).
Please see the MORE INFO box to the right or scroll down for Airplane and Helicopter program price lists and other useful information.
The Aviation Technology department has partnerships with MacAir Aviation and Higher Ground Helicopters, two of the region's most respected flight schools. These partnerships provide flight training for Sinclair’s professional pilot fixed wing and helicopter students. MacAir Aviation is located at the Greene County-Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport and Higher Ground Helicopters is located at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport; both are a 15 minutes drive from Sinclair’s downtown Dayton campus.
Sinclair has partnered with Dayton-based PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines, to train pilots as part of the PSA Cadet Program. This program offers qualified students a number of benefits including career mentoring, tuition reimbursement, and guaranteed employment upon successful completion.
Sinclair trains pilot students under FAA Part 141 (with the exception of Private Pilot certificates, which are under Part 61) and includes training in advanced flight simulators. Our Redbird FMX Full Motion Flight Simulator incorporates state-of-the-art glass cockpit training.
Fixed-Wing
Helicopter
Quoted flight training rates are for the minimum number of hours for each rating as dictated by the FAA. Flight training and/or tuition costs are subject to change.
A number of potentially lucrative career opportunities exist in the aviation industry. The demand for major airline pilots is steadily increasing and the demand for general aviation positions is at an all-time high. The use of interstate commerce has increased the demand for cargo pilots, and a shift in business travel from the major airlines to executive-sized aircraft has created a new increase in the number of pilot jobs available. These changes in airline passenger and cargo traffic, along with an expected wave of retirements, will provide many job opportunities for new pilots, flight instructors, and support staff at all levels of the aviation industry.
The Aviation Technology program builds essential practical knowledge in the professional pilot, aviation maintenance, unmanned aerial systems, flight attendant, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and aircraft dispatcher career fields.
The demand for major airline pilots and general aviation careers is at an all time high. The combination of retirements in the industry and difficulty in sourcing pilots to keep pace with the attrition has resulted in a pilot shortage in the United States, especially with regional airlines. Many of these carriers have recently increased compensation, incentives, and benefits for new pilots who are hired by and complete training with these companies. Flight attendants, maintenance technicians, and flight operations staff, such as aircraft dispatchers, are also in demand.
The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) industry is a rapidly developing field with seemingly endless possibilities for new concepts for both careers and entrepreneurship opportunities. Geospatial Information Systems, First Responding, Agriculture, Data Analysis, and Real Estate applications have been identified as specific areas for growth.
Available ProgramsThis program leads to an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Technology. The student, having completed this course work, would have the background and skills to enter the aviation industry or continue towards a bachelor's degree in aviation science (or related field).
View Full Program DetailsThe Airline Flight Attendant certificate provides students with the basic theory of airline travel with an understanding of the policies, procedures and means of compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. Students explore the business of air commerce and develop the skills of a travel professional. Includes exploration of communications, safety and security, air travel, customer service, airline operations and crew resource management. This program develops the knowledge and skills required to serve as a flight attendant and to enter a career in the aviation industry.
View Full Program DetailsThe General Aviation Maintenance certificate provides the knowledge and skills required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the airframe and powerplant maintenance technician student. Students will learn to apply mathematics and physics, read and interpret aircraft drawings, conduct ground operations and servicing of aircraft, interpret maintenance publications, interpret FAA regulations, make correct and legal aircraft record entries, perform weight and balance calculations, understand basic electricity, understand makeup of materials used in aircraft manufacture, understand aircraft fasteners, inspect welds, inspect for aircraft deterioration (corrosion) and understand and perform aircraft repair methods.
View Full Program DetailsThe Powerplant Aviation Maintenance certificate provides the knowledge and skills required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the powerplant maintenance technician student. Students will learn to apply all the knowledge and skills in the lab portion.
View Full Program DetailsThe UAS for GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Short-Term Technical certificate prepares students for entry level positions as GIS analysts in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry by providing foundational knowledge and skills involving GIS technologies and UAS technology.
View Full Program DetailsSinclair and Wright State University (WSU) hold a crosstown agreement to allow Sinclair Aviation students to join WSU's ROTC Detachment and take required ROTC courses at WSU.
Aviation students can stay at our partner Wright State University while they attend Sinclair classes for each term. Learn more about resident living at Wright State.
Interested students can apply for Wright State Housing by completing the following:
Complete The Wright Path Application to secure your Wright State student identification number. Once Completed and Approved and can then apply for housing.
Complete The Wright Path Housing Application through their housing website. You can also find their housing rates by location, per semester and month. $250.00 deposit will need to be paid prior to receiving your keys.
For questions about housing, please contact Wright State Housing by email at housing_wrightpath@wright.edu or at 937-775-4172. Please let the housing office know that you are a Sinclair Aviation student seeking housing.
