Aviation Science Professional Pilot (AVD)
Type: Career, Degree (AS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: STEM and Education
The Aviation Science Professional Pilot program at NSCC provides students with the professional training necessary to become fixed-wing commercial pilots. It begins at the private pilot level, and prior experience is not required for admission. Students with previously earned FAA flight certificates and ratings may receive academic credit through advanced standing. The program combines classroom instruction and flight training in both aircraft and an FAA-approved ground simulator (Advanced Aviation Training Device). NSCC requires all students to obtain a minimum of an FAA Second Class Medical Certificate prior to acceptance in the program.
Flight training requires a minimum 250 total flight hours, and includes 50 hours of dual instruction in the Redbird LD model Advanced Aviation Training Device. Coursework provides the knowledge required for pilot certification and ratings, and includes several FAA-approved ground schools which are conducted under FAR part 141. All flight instruction is required to be conducted by an appropriately rated FAA-certified flight instructor at the NSCC-approved flight training facility, Beverly Flight Center, and is conducted under FAR part 141. Total costs for flight training are approximately $41,890.
Graduates are prepared for careers as professional pilots for regional airlines, corporate and general aviation, and government agencies such as the military and the FAA. Transfer agreements have been established with several Bachelor degree programs such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Bridgewater State University.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
If you have program advising related questions, please contact aviation@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4048.
First Year
Fall
| AVS101 | Private Pilot Ground School | 4 |
| AVS103 | Private Pilot Flight Training | 3 |
| AVS212 | Human Factors in Flight Operations | 3 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| GEO110 | Meteorology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| AVS203 | Instrument Pilot Ground School | 4 |
| AVS208 | Instrument Pilot Flight Training | 3 |
| AVS214 | Aviation Law and Safety | 3 |
CMP102-150
| Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
CPS 100 or higher
| CPS100 or higher | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second Year
Fall
| AVS102 | Commercial Pilot Ground School | 4 |
LA-ELECTIVE
| Liberal Arts Elective | 5 |
| MAT151 | Precalculus 1 | 3 |
| SPE102 | Speech | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| AVS204 | Flight Instructor Ground School | 4 |
| AVS205 | Commercial Pilot Flight Training | 6 |
| AVS222 | Introduction to Technically Advanced Aircraft | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Requirement Notes
CPS100 may be fulfilled by challenge exam an 3 liberal arts credits
Liberal Arts Elective: Recommend MAT152 or MAT200 or MAT251; for students wishing to pursue an upper level degree at a transfer institution, CPS114, ECO103, ECO104, HIS101, HIS102, PHY101, PSY102, or SOC106 are recommended.
Program Notes
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Exhibit a sound understanding of the knowledge, skill, proficiency, and professional attitudes requirement for commercial pilot certification. Demonstrate the effective use of communications skills required for safe and efficient operation of the aircraft
- Competently perform preflight duties and all other procedures and maneuvers necessary for the safe conduct of a flight
- Exhibit a sound understanding of the knowledge, skill, proficiency, and professional attitudes requirement for commercial pilot certification
- Provide evidence of clear mastery of the airplane by demonstrating consistent results during simulator training, pre-flight lessons, and check rides
- Demonstrate flight related maneuvers and procedures such that the successful and safe outcome of each task performed is never seriously in doubt
- Demonstrate proficiency that meets or exceeds the standard of performance outlined in the current FAA Airmen Certification Standards
- Demonstrate through flight tests and school records that the necessary aeronautical skill and experience requirements to obtain a private, instrument and commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category rating and single-engine land class rating have been met. Earn, private, instrument and commercial pilot ratings
Occupational Skills Required
- Current Second or First Class Medical Certificate
- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Far Vision
- Near Vision
- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures) quickly and correctly
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- AVS103 - Private Pilot Flight Training
- AVS208 - Instrument Pilot Flight Training
- AVS205 - Commercial Pilot Flight Training
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
- Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $77,000
Top Transfer Institutions
- Bridgewater State University
- Salem State University
- Northeastern University