If you have your sights set on a high-flying, fast-paced career, Colorado Northwestern Community College’s Aviation degrees can help prepare you.
Training Options to Meet Your Needs
The Associate in Applied Science degrees are designed to provide pathways for students seeking careers in aviation flight and maintenance.
CNCC has transfer agreements with four-year colleges that will allow students completing the associate degree the opportunity to transfer and continue their studies in aviation. These 4-year institutions include both Metropolitan State University – Denver (MSU-D) and Utah Valley University (UVU).
One of CNCC’s planes ready for a flight in beautiful NW Colorado!
“At CNCC, we strive to provide an outstanding education in aviation technology (or flight) and aviation maintenance in order to fulfil the employment demand the aviation industry is currently facing,” said Meghan Davis, Dean of Career and Technical Education. “Whether they want to be on the ground or in the sky, our aviation degrees will help set the foundation for a successful career.”
Aviation Technology (flight; Part 141 certificated) and Aviation Maintenance (Part 147 certificated) students put their education to the test by sitting for the various Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examination processes required for each industry certificate. Further the collaborative approach of these two departments, results in students gaining hands-on experience in both areas with the different classes taught.
One exciting feature of our Aviation programs is the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) team. CNCC students compete regionally with other NIFA teams on events such as flying, ground, precision landings, flight planning.
“At CNCC, we stive to provide an outstanding education in aviation technology (or flight) and aviation maintenance in order to fulfil the employment demand the aviation industry is currently facing,” said Meghan Davis, Dean of Career and Technical Education. “Whether they want to be on the ground or in the sky, our aviation degrees will help set the foundation for a successful career.”
Aviation Technology (flight) and Aviation Maintenance students put their education to the test by sitting for the various Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examination processes required for each industry certificate. Further the collaborative approach of these two departments, results in students gaining hands-on experience in both areas with the different classes taught.
CNCC Aviation students in front of a WWII era bomber plane.
Aviation Job Outlook
Students pursuing these degrees are employable with airlines as a commercial pilot, crop dusting employers, cargo airliners, flight instructors, skydiving operations, aerial tours and banner towing, and corporate flying. Career salaries range depending on seniority, experience and location, but can easily approach anywhere from $45,760 – 134,630 – and position availability is expected to increase by 6% over the next 10 years (BLS.gov). Aircraft maintenance professionals can work in any aviation maintenance facility to include major airlines, helicopter repairs, spacecraft or any other entity performing aviation maintenance and repair. Job opportunities are expected to increase by 6% as well, and has salary ranging from $45,760 – 100,860 (BLS.gov) and even more depending on the employer! Both these careers are short training/education requirements with a quick return on investment once in the industry – and they are growing fast.
Both flight training and aviation maintenance take a lot of time and dedication. There are scholarship opportunities to help students pay for their education at CNCC, and students are encouraged to look for supplemental funding (if needed) outside of financial aid and CNCC scholarships. There are aviation specific scholarships available – the best resources is to check out the Federal Aviation Administration scholarship page. (https://www.faa.gov/education/grants_and_scholarships/aviation).
Women in aviation opportunities and scholarship potentials:
- Women in Aviation – scholarships helping future aviators achieve their goals (https://www.ninety-nines.org/scholarships.htm)
- Ninety-Nines – international organization of women aviators helping future women aviators
(https://www.ninety-nines.org/scholarships.htm)
As Nathan Hardin, Aviation Technology Program Director likes to say “put your dreams in motion and earn your wings today!” – you don’t want to delay anymore!
To learn more about Colorado Northwestern’s Aviation Programs or to register for classes visit www.cncc.edu/avt for flight training or www.cncc.edu/amt for Aviation Maintenance.
