Academic Flight Lab

Image of flight education students around a training aircraft

The Academic Flight Lab provides first-class ground and flight training to students enrolled at The Ohio State University. The Center for Aviation Studies administers the aviation academic programs. Visit the Center for Aviation Studies website to learn more about the degree programs offered.

Students enrolled in the College of Arts & Science's air transportation major or the College of Engineering's aviation major have the opportunity to complete the professional pilot specialization. This specialization allows students to earn their private, instrument, commercial and certified flight instructor certificate or multiengine rating by graduation.

Students enrolled in the Fisher College of Business’ business administration: aviation management major are not able to enroll in the professional pilot specialization.

For more information about the university’s for-credit flight program, visit the Center for Aviation Studies website. There, prospective students may also request an informational packet with more details.

 

Flight Education Course Descriptions

AVN 2101 Private Pilot Flight Lab I | The first course in a series of two courses that culminate in the attainment of a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land privileges. An application and orientation process is required before enrollment. Prereq: A grade of B- or above in Aviatn 2100. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 341.

AVN 2102 Private Pilot Flight Lab II | The second course in a series of two courses that culminate in the attainment of a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land privileges. Prereq: Aviatn 2101. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 342.

AVN 2501 Commercial Cross Country Flight Lab | Cross-country flights designed to meet the requirements of the commercial pilot certificate.  Prereq: Aviatn 2100, 2101, and 2102, and permission of instructor.

AVN 3101 Instrument Flight Lab | Instrument flight operations, navigation, patterns, maneuvers, regulations, approach protocols, and cross-country flight planning and execution.  Prereq: Aviatn 2100 and 2102. Concur: Aviatn 3100. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 441 or 442.

AVN 4101 Commercial Flight Lab | Second course toward Commercial Pilot certificate single engine land.  Prereq: Aviatn 2102 and 3101. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 444 or 445.

AVN 4102 Commercial Flight Lab | Third course toward Commercial Pilot certificate single engine land. Prereq: Aviatn 4101

AVN 4301 Commercial Multiengine Flight Lab | Aeronautical knowledge and flight training required to attain an airplane multi engine rating in addition to the Commercial Pilot certificate.  Prereq: A grade of B- or above in Aviatn 3100 and 4100, and 2501 and 3101. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 446.

AVN 5101 Flight Instructor ASE Flight Lab | Aeronautical knowledge, experience and skills necessary to meet or exceed FAR Part 61 requirements for a flight instructor certificate with airplane single engine land privileges.  Prereq: A grade of B- or above in Aviatn 5100. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 461.

AVN 5102 Flight Instructor AME Lab | Aeronautical knowledge and flight training necessary to attain an airplane multi-engine rating in addition to the Flight Instructor ASEL certificate.  Prereq: Aviatn 4301 and 5101. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 463.

AVN 5201 Flight Instructor Instrument Flight Lab | Necessary aeronautical knowledge, experience, and skills to meet or exceed FAR Part 61 requirements for instrument flight instructor certification.  Prereq: Aviatn 5101, or Flight Instructor Certificate. Not open to students with credit for Aviation 462.

All of the courses above are offered fall, spring and summer to accommodate the needs of our students.

image of Alyssa Manning
"Ohio State Aviation, with its facilities and significant sense of community, provided me the tools and connections to become a successful professional pilot at the airlines."
– Alyssa Manning, ’15, BS Aviation Certified Flight Instructor

Flight Laboratory Training Cost

Each flight laboratory course has an associated laboratory fee that is added to the student’s tuition statement after enrollment. At the end of the course, any remaining funds from the laboratory fees will be refunded to the student. The average student will spend $73,600 to complete the professional pilot program with the multiengine rating option. Completing the program via the flight instructor option will cost on average $76,400.

If additional funds are needed for a student to complete a particular course, students should meet with their advisor to discuss funding options.

Flight Laboratory Time Slots

Students enrolled in the professional pilot specialization complete flight training at The Ohio State University Airport, selecting the flight slots that are most compatible with their class schedules. Flight slots are either one and a half or two hours long during the week (optional weekends) and are scheduled at the same time each day with the same instructor. 

Incoming students to the professional pilot specialization will apply for a flight slot the semester before they intend to start training. Current students will meet with the staff of the flight school in person to schedule their time slot for the following semester.