Bachelor's Degrees for Pilots at American Winds
Our partnerships with Liberty University and Walsh University help you achieve airline-preferred applicant status faster than ever before! Enroll TodayGet InformationHow a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Helps You Gain Altitude
It’s no longer required to have a bachelor’s degree in aviation to apply for captain jobs at commercial airlines – so why do it?
You need to use the financial aid you got through FAFSA.
You need to use your VA benefits, which Liberty University can accept for academics.
You want to make Mom and Dad happy by completing a traditional degree program.
You want to qualify for airline captain jobs with fewer than 1,500 flight hours with the Restricted ATP (R-ATP) Degree Diploma.
Here's How It Works:
- Enroll in the Professional Pilot Program at American Winds.
- Start flight training right away while simultaneously completing coursework for the Associate Degree in Applied Science. (Full-Time Fast-Track ≈ 1 Year)
- Complete your Certified Flight Instructor rating so you can get paid to teach others to fly while racking up flight hours at American Winds College of Aeronautics and finishing coursework at Liberty University. (Full-Time Fast-Track ≈ 2 Years)
- Obtain your bachelor’s degree in aviation AND your Commercial Pilot Certificate with additional ratings in about 3 years!
- Continue working as a Flight Instructor at American Winds until you’ve achieved 1,000 flight hours for the Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certificate.
- Start applying to airlines and get your career off the ground!
Partnership With Liberty University
Take advantage of Liberty University’s online learning opportunities while flying at American Winds! We’ve partnered with Liberty’s Flight Training Affiliate Program to help you pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation online as you complete ground school and flight school requirements at our Akron Fulton Airport campus.
Focused and dedicated students who enroll full time at Liberty can complete the bachelor’s degree in about two and a half years – much faster than traditional universities!
And because American Winds is an FAA-Certified Flight School that’s open for training year round, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to achieve your Commercial Pilot’s Certificate and additional ratings while you’re studying.
To get you to those 1,000 flight hours you need with your bachelor’s degree for the Restricted ATP (R-ATP), we’ll even train you as a Certified Flight Instructor – then we’ll pay you to rack up flight hours while teaching others to fly!
Bachelor's Degrees for Pilots at Walsh University
Looking for a more traditional route to a degree? Walsh University’s B.S. Aviation (2+2) Degree Program might be for you. Walsh offers online study options and accepts most traditional financial aid – plus, it’s just a 30-minute drive from American Winds. (You’ll still train with us to earn your Commercial Pilot’s Certificate and additional FAA ratings.)
What is the Restricted ATP (R-ATP)?
It's the certificate required by the FAA to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines (regional / majors).
The traditional ATP certificate (commercial pilot license) requires a total of 1,500 hours of flight time. The FAA ATP Pilot Certificate should not be confused with the Restricted ATP certificate. The Restricted ATP is a designation that the FAA will grant the authority to colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a certificate called the Restricted ATP. This commercial pilot certificate will allow college or university graduates to be hired with less flight time.
Restricted ATP (R-ATP) + Bachelor's Degree = 1,000 flight hours needed to be hired by the airlines.
Restricted ATP (R-ATP) + Associate's Degree = 1,250 flight hours needed to be hired by the airlines.
No Approved Aviation Degree = 1,500 hours needed to be hired by the airlines.
Your Pilot Career Takes Off Here
Ready to turn your passion for aviation into a career? Get the personalized training and support you need to earn your wings and start building your future as a professional pilot.
