Program: AS-26110

The Professional Pilot Science Program provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to earn Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificates in preparation for a career as a professional pilot or flight instructor. The curriculum prepares the student to earn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Single-Engine Pilot and Multi-Engine Pilot certificates with Instrument Ratings. Obtaining a designation as a Certified Flight Instructor is also an option. This training allows the graduate to start an entry-level job as a pilot and begin building the required flight hours of experience necessary for more advanced flying jobs.

An incoming student who already holds a pilot certificate(s) and rating(s) may be eligible to receive college credit for this training; however, the awarding of credit is solely dependent on Polk State’s evaluation of the student’s certificate(s), training, and competencies via flight-proficiency check(s).

The Associate in Science in Professional Pilot Science degree requires a total of 64 credits. The program consists of 18 credits of General Education courses and an Aviation core of 39 credits. Seven credits of Elective courses complete the curriculum. More information about flight-training requirements and costs is located on the Aerospace website. Flight-training costs are paid directly to the College.

Certain courses in this program require placement at the college level or satisfaction of Developmental Education requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics. Although this program does not have any specific entrance requirements, due to the costs and complexities of flight training, an interested student is strongly encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator or Director to obtain additional information and discuss the overall program prior to enrollment. 

Note: A student seeking the 250-hour credit towards the Restricted-Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) Certificate must complete the Associate in Science in Professional Pilot degree, all required aviation coursework, and earn (at least) the Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Certificate through Polk State’s Aerospace Program. Although flight training for the Private Pilot Certificate may be done elsewhere, the student is required to take the Private Pilot Ground (ATT 1100) course to be eligible to receive Polk State credit towards the R-ATP Certificate.

Application Procedures including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Requirements:

Flight training has minimum medical requirements and requires a substantial financial investment. Each student is encouraged to visit the Polk State Associate in Science in Professional Pilot Science webpage for more information about program costs, course sequences, and FAA requirements prior to enrollment.

A student may begin taking Aviation-related courses at any time, but prior to taking additional flight-training classes: 

1. The student must earn (or already hold) a Private Pilot Certificate. An incoming student can obtain this certificate through the Polk State College Aerospace Program by taking non-credit courses. The Program Coordinator can provide information on how to begin pilot training.
2. The student must obtain a First-, Second-, or Third-Class FAA Medical Certificate from an FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). More information about this requirement can be found on the FAA website (faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/).
   Note: An individual can only obtain a medical certificate from an FAA-approved AME. The FAA website provides a list of approved AMEs in each locality (faa.gov/pilots/amelocator).
   Note: A Veteran Student or individual enrolled using the GI Bill or VA Benefits must hold a current First- or Second-Class Medical Certificate to enroll in each flight-training course.
3. The student must present Proof of Citizenship documents (i.e., a current passport; or original birth certificate and driver’s license). A non-US citizen must obtain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approval to begin flight training. This approval may take several months to process. A foreign flight student must visit the TSA website for more information regarding this requirement (flightschoolcandidates.gov).

Note: Because an individual cannot re-earn a Pilot Certificate for a second time, program flight courses are not eligible for mitigation under the College’s Grade Forgiveness Policy once a course is completed with a grade of D or better.

More information about program enrollment requirements can be obtained by phone (863.297.1010, ext. 4051) or through the Polk State website (https://www.polk.edu/aerospace/).

Eligibility Requirements:

For the Associate in Science in Professional Pilot Science degree program, an individual must:

• Be at least 16 years of age to begin flight labs.
• Be at least 18 years of age to complete ATF 2210L Commercial Pilot Flight.
• Meet the minimum placement score on the PERT, ACT, SAT, or other approved placement exam for coursework.
• Present the following documents for Proof of Citizenship: a current passport; or original birth certificate and driver’s license.

Enrollment Requirements:

To begin enrollment, the student must:

• Submit a Flight Lab Request Form to the Aerospace Program Coordinator prior to the Financial Aid Guarantee Deadline (cf. Academic Calendar) for the intended semester of enrollment.
• Attend Flight Indoctrination prior to commencing flight training.
  Note: The Program Coordinator can provide further details.
• Schedule each flight lab course only after the requisite flight lab has been completed with a passing grade (as applicable).

Flight-Training Requirements:

• Each flight student is required to complete three training events per week.
• Failure to attend scheduled flight labs jeopardizes the ability to complete a course in the time allotted by the academic semester and may result in withdrawal or a course grade of F. The Aerospace Program’s Attendance, Preparation, and Grading Policy, which is covered in detail during Flight Indoctrination, discusses absenteeism and corrective measures.
• The Polk State College Aerospace Program uses a rigorous ground-, flight-, and simulation-based training curriculum. The student is expected to prepare for flight lab courses in the same manner as for on-campus courses. Failure to maintain knowledge proficiency throughout the training course by completing homework assignments, preparing in advance for flight activities, and addressing other indicated requirements may result in a course grade of F. A student wishing to officially withdraw from a course should refer to the Polk State College Catalog/Student Handbook (http://catalog.polk.edu/content.php?catoid=47&navoid=3345) for further information.
• To participate in flight-training activities, a student must have his or her Polk State College ID in possession at all times. This must be worn prominently whenever an individual is on the airport property.
• The minimum lab costs for a given flight lab course must be on deposit with the Polk State College Business Office by the end of the first week of the academic semester. An incomplete balance at the start of the semester, or failure to meet ongoing payment arrangements, results in forfeiture of the student’s flight lab slot.

Note: A student must earn (or already hold) a Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Certificate to participate. An incoming student can obtain this designation within the Polk State College Aerospace Program by taking non-credit courses. The Program Coordinator can provide more information on how to begin initial pilot training.

Graduation Requirements:

In order to be awarded the Associate in Science degree, the student must:

1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Polk State College Catalog/Student Handbook and the specific curriculum.
2. Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all Polk State College courses eligible toward the Aerospace Associate in Science degree program, excluding Developmental Education courses (i.e., all Polk State College college-credit courses apply toward this GPA requirement).
3. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total credit hours required for the program in residence at Polk State College. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
4. Complete the required semester hours as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
5. Earn a grade of a C or better in each course used to satisfy the General Education requirements, and successfully complete any other item designated with a C or better.
6. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.

The student is cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements regarding this program:

• A student’s graduation date is listed as the date of the end of the Polk State College term in which the student has fulfilled all program academic requirements. The removal of an Incomplete (I) grade does not affect a student’s graduation date, as the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade is assigned, rather than the term in which the Incomplete work is subsequently made up.
• A student who enters the program under the 2024-2025 Polk State College Catalog/Student Handbook is subsequently assigned the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. The student’s assigned Catalog year remains in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to the Catalog requirements as mandated by law or District Board of Trustees rules may supersede this provision.
• Many courses within this Polk State College Catalog/Student Handbook have prerequisite or corequisite course(s) that are listed in the course descriptions. Each student is advised to use these descriptions and listings as guidance on requirements.
• A student who is placed into Developmental Education coursework is required to complete these courses with a grade of C or better (regardless of the program of study).

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is able to:
PLO 1: Exemplify and apply safe and effective work practices.
PLO 2: Apply the fundamentals of flight.
PLO 3: Explain the pertinent requirements of the US Code of Federal Regulations Title 14, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
PLO 4: Describe and apply meteorology assessment applications to aviation.  
PLO 5: Describe and demonstrate applications for management of aircraft systems.
PLO 6: Demonstrate use of traditional and modern avionics systems and procedures.
PLO 7: Demonstrate and evaluate information systems and flight-planning skills.
PLO 8: Demonstrate effective communication and team-process skills.
PLO 9: Employ analytical skills.
PLO 10: Demonstrate and evaluate aircraft operations.