Marshall University’s Professional Pilot, B.S., degree program will help meet the nation’s projected significant need for commercial pilots over the next 20 years. Its ground and flight courses lead to a series of FAA certifications and prepare graduates to become commercial pilots of single and multi-engine aircraft.
The program officially opened in the Fall 2021 semester and is growing each year. When in full operation, the Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School is expected to enroll more than 200 students and produce an estimated 50 commercial pilots annually.
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Our curriculum is designed to teach students the principles of aeronautics, navigation, flight control and communication systems, as well as the regulations governing commercial aircraft operation.
New facilities for the FAA Part 141 pilot school, including a classroom building and hanger were constructed at Yeager Airport in Charleston in 2021. Students use Cirrus SR20 aircraft, which are single engine, state-of-the-art small planes ideal for student training. The planes are fully instrumented and have a variety of sophisticated avionics, including 10” display screens, a Garmin-outfitted cockpit, synthetic vision technology, all-digital Bluetooth audio, engine and fuel monitoring, dual alternators, and weather and traffic monitoring systems and navigation. The composite 4-seater or 5-seater monoplanes feature a whole-airplane parachute that, when deployed in the event of an emergency, will safely lower the plane to the ground.
It is estimated that over the next two decades, 143,000 new pilots will need to be trained and ready to fly commercial airliners to meet the demand for air travel. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of airline and commercial pilots was projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2031. Most job opportunities will arise from the need to replace pilots who leave the occupation permanently over the projection period.
The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers was $202,180 in May 2021. The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $99,640.
- Airline Pilot
- Commercial Pilot
- Air Traffic Controller
- Aircraft Mechanic
- Aircraft Technician