Flight Officer (FO) degree

All flight training is conducted under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAR part 141 regulations with CWU's contract operator at Bowers Field in Ellensburg, Washington. The estimated flight training costs for the private pilot certificate, commercial with instrument rating, multiengine rating, and the certified flight instructor is about $66,000.00 (as of 9/15/2008). This expense is over and above the normal university costs of tuition, books and supplies, room and board, etc.

Our flight degree programs are designed so students will complete the following:

• Private Pilot Certificate (PVT) by the end of the first year,
• Instrument Rating (IFR) by the end of the second year,
• Commercial Pilot Certificate (COM) by the end of the third,
• Multi-Engine Rating (ME), and Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI) by graduation.

Since academics and flight training are integrated and completion of a given flying segment is a prerequisite to continue on to the next sequence of courses, failure to complete the appropriate training in the sequence above could result in a delay in graduation date.

Our structured program is designed so that students can finish these certificates and ratings during the regular academic year (Fall/Winter/Spring quarters), freeing up summers for employment or other activities. However, should poor flying weather, funding delays, or other factors impede a student's progress, we expect students to remain in Ellensburg to complete their training (appropriate certificate or rating as outlined above) before leaving for the summer.

Back to top

Students with previous flight experience.

This is a professional flight officer training program designed to prepare graduates for first officer positions in the airlines. Our private pilot classroom training, for example, is not the FAA Part 141 minimum 35-hour course, but consists of four separate courses (including aircraft systems and aviation meteorology) spread over the first two freshmen quarters consisting of 140 hours of classroom instruction, and 35 hours of one-on-one ground instruction.

Students may transfer in with previous flight experience, however once a student has enrolled at Central Washington University, all subsequent flight training must be completed by CWU's approved flight training operator at Bowers Field in Ellensburg, Washington. Pilots entering with previous flight experience will be evaluated to determine the amount of flight time to be credited toward an FAR part 141 pilot certificate and/or rating. There are substantial differences between FAR part 61 and 141 requirements and each case must be evaluated on an individual basis. Students who have obtained ground training under FAR part 61 will have to take the appropriate ground schools under FAR part 141. Students who have completed an FAR part 141 ground school but did not receive credit from an approved college or university may take a course challenge test in order to be awarded CWU college credit for the applicable ground school courses, provided they can provide us with a copy of the 141 ground school graduation certificate.

Back to top

Students with previous certificates or ratings.

To receive credit for any certificate/rating required by the major, students who possess a pilot certificate/rating upon entry to CWU are required to pass an FAA Part 141 final evaluation flight check.

The final evaluation flight check must be completed with Midstate Aviation, Inc. prior to the start of fall quarter. Further information will be found in the Flight Technology acceptance letter. Students who enter CWU with previous certificates or ratings should contact the Flight Technology Department at (509) 963-2364 regarding degree options and program placement.

Back to top

College Transfer Students.

Students transferring in from a college with an articulation agreement will be awarded transfer credit according to the articulation agreement.

Students transferring in from a college without an articulation agreement with prior flight training and college credits will need to have their situations evaluated independently as it is impossible to list all transfer situations. Please contact the Flight Technology Department at (509) 963-2364 regarding degree options and program placement.

Back to top