Professional flight is a program for those seeking a career as a commercial airline, corporate, or charter pilot. Students develop strong technical skills supported by critical thinking, decision-making, and communication abilities. Cockpit resource management, teamwork, and responsibility are emphasized. Students obtain their basic flight certificates and ratings by the end of the sophomore year. During the junior and senior years, students gain experience flying both turbine-powered aircraft and large airline-style simulators.
Purdue recently upgraded its fleet of airplanes to include an Embraer Phenom 100 jet and 16 Cirrus SR-20G3 single engine aircraft. The planes and their corresponding simulators (as well as a regional jet simulator) are equipped with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit avionics system.
Students in this program can apply to participate in five-year combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program in aviation technology.
The bachelor’s degree in professional flight is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).