Professional Pilot

Concentration:
PROFESSIONAL PILOT
The Professional Pilot concentration offers instruction for students who are interested in careers as commercial pilots. The Professional Pilot concentration requires the completion of:
1. 52 semester hours in aerospace courses as listed below;
2. a minor from a department other than Aerospace that complements the Professional Pilot concentration, recommended by the faculty advisor and approved by the department chair and dean;
3. other specific required courses as listed below;
4. the Instrument Rating-Airplane, the Commercial Single- Engine Pilot Certificate, and the Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating, all at the MTSU Flight School and while enrolled in flight labs.

In addition to all academic requirements, this concentration requires students to obtain pilot certificates through flight training conducted at the MTSU Flight School. All required flight training will be conducted in a flight lab, in University owned and maintained aircraft, and by a select group of flight instructors screened and trained for their positions by MTSU. All flight labs will be conducted from the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. Admission to the University does not guarantee enrollment in a flight lab. To enroll in a flight lab, students must submit a Flight Lab Request Form for each and every semester they wish to fly. The deadlines to submit Flight Lab Request Forms are as follows:
Fall semester- July 15
Spring semester- November 15
Summer session- April 15

Flight Lab Request Forms submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Enrollment in flight labs is limited and selection is made from eligible candidates who are best qualified. Incoming freshmen typically do not receive a flight lab for their first semester. To become eligible for a flight lab, candidates must meet the following minimum standards:

1. have a college cumulative grade point average of 2.5;
2. have a current Second Class FAA medical certificate;
3. must be in good standing within the department and University (if a transfer student, candidate cannot be on probation in any form);
4. have no physical disability that would prohibit completion of the course requirements;
5. have the full required amount of flight lab money deposited in their flight account by the last day of the first week of classes;
6. show proof of American citizenship by presenting a valid current passport or original birth certificate AND a current valid driver's license;
7. have completed all required prerequisite classes for the desired lab.

Retention in the Professional Pilot concentration is based on maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better and making consistent and satisfactory progress in flight training. Violation of any MTSU safety practice or procedure or any FAA regulations will result in immediate termination from the flight program. Lab students are required to complete three syllabus events per seven-day week and will be held to a strict attendance policy. There are substantial lab fees for each flight lab. Flight fees will be paid directly to MTSU, and students must maintain a positive balance in their training account at all times. Lab fee information and a complete explanation of all requirements for flight labs can be found in the Additional Lab Information packet that can be obtained through the MTSU Aerospace Web site or at the MTSU Flight School or Aerospace Department main office.

Students admitted to the Professional Pilot program must receive all required flight training beyond the Private Pilot Certificate at the MTSU Flight School. Credit for flight time, including cross-country flight time obtained by the student after becoming a Private Pilot, is very limited and is determined by FAA and MTSU regulations. Transfer students who come to MTSU already holding the Instrument Rating may be admitted; however, they must complete the Commercial Single-Engine Certificate, the Commercial Multi-Engine Certificate, and the Flight Instructor Certificate at the MTSU Flight School. Students entering MTSU who already hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate are not eligible for the Professional Pilot concentration.

NOTE: Students interested in military flying careers should contact their local Armed Forces recruiting officer or MTSU's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program representatives. Air Force ROTC program information can be obtained by calling (615) 963-5931. For information regarding the Army ROTC program, call (615) 898-2470. Please see page 103 for additional information.