• Course details and qualifications
    Course details and qualifications
    • Status: Full-time
    • Duration of airline pilot Bachelor's degree: 2-4 years, subject to scheduling
    • Type: Associate / Bachelor's Degree
    • Required experience for aviation degree: Little or none
    • Location: Sanford, Florida and Jacksonville, Florida
  • Supporting downloads
    Supporting downloads

Pilot training programs and courses

Pilot Undergraduate Degrees

Earn a pilot undergraduate degree and start your pilot career through our university partners - Seminole State College of Florida (SSC) and Jacksonville University (JU). Show them what you’re made of, with our world-class qualification.

Combine pilot training with a degree

Begin your career with a college degree to become a pilot. Choose a pilot degree course with one of our College partners and you could graduate with an undergraduate degree and a pilot license:

  • 2-year Associate’s Degree from Seminole State College of Florida (SSC), where you can transfer credits over from your flying courses to your degree.
  • 4-year airline pilot Bachelor's Degree from Jacksonville University (JU) where you will graduate with a degree in Aviation Management and Flight Operations.

If you dream of flying for a career, as a cadet at our Orlando Flight School, you’ll learn to fly on an impressive fleet of over 90 single-and-multi-engine aircraft, many with glass cockpits and Garmin G1000 Instrumentation.

Our university partners

Seminole State College of Florida (SSC) is located in Sanford, Florida, and is a public institution offering a two-year Associate's Degree in Arts. Upon completion of the Professional Pilot Program or Accelerated Airline Pilot Track, you can apply to SSC and apply for transfer of up to 27 credits towards your airline pilot degree.

Jacksonville University (JU) is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a private institution offering a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management and Flight Operations – making it a great choice for entering an airline pilot degree program. Students would apply and enroll as a JU students, then the flight training is provided by L3Harris Flight Academy Instructors and equipment.

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  • academy-photo-commercial-plane-takeoff
  • academy-usa-sanford-instructor-and-cadet
  • academy-usa-sanford-piper-archer-door-open
  • 100% funding available to 
    those who qualify
  • 11 airline 
    partners
  • 96% graduates who stay as CFI
    placed with airlines
  • 90+ single and multi-engine 
    aircraft

Airline pilot degree FAQs

How does a college degree prepare you for being a pilot?

When a pilot degree is combined with pilot training, on completion you will be awarded:

  • PPL
  • Instrument Rating
  • Commercial Pilot Single-Engine Certified
  • Commercial Multi-Engine Add-on Rating
  • Certified Flight Instructor
  • Associate’s or Bachelor's degree

These qualifications provide you with good standing to find a career with a regional or major airline.

An airline pilot bachelor’s degree offers the best preparation for becoming a pilot. During the last two years of your education, you will be required to find placement opportunities with airliners making this approach extremely career-orientated.

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What aircraft will I learn to fly on?

At our flight school in Florida, we have an impressive fleet of over 90 single-and-multi-engine aircraft. Our training aircraft are IFR certified and regularly inspected by our FAA-certified machines to ensure they meet the highest safety standards.

Our single-engine aircraft include:

  • Cirrus SR20
  • Cessna 172P & 172SP
  • Piper Archer PA28

Our multi-engine aircraft include:

  • Piper Seminole

When not out on our training fleet, you will practice flying on a range of Flight Training Devices (FTDs) which emulate real-life flying experiences. Our range includes:

  • A Level 6 FAA-approved Cirrus SR20 FTD
  • A Level 4 FAA-approved Piper PA44 FTD
  • A line of AviatorTM Cirrus SR20 Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD)
  • Two Frasca International Inc. TruFlite AATDs
  • One Piper PA44
  • One Cessna 172SP
  • A Redbird MCX AATD that can be configured as a Cessna 172SP
  • A Piper PA44 round dial with 2 Garmin 430 GPS receivers
  • A PA44 all-glass Garmin G1000

Fleet

How can I fund my pilot degree course?

L3Harris Flight Academy offers funding options such as scholarships, loans, and grants.

Flight School State Loans:

  • Vermont Advantage Loan is eligible for Vermont residents attending out-of-state schools
  • American Airlines credit education loan is eligible for members of American Airlines Credit Union
  • Alaska Resident Loan is eligible for Alaska residents attending out-of-state schools
  • New Jersey Class Loan is eligible for NJ residents attending out-of-state schools
  • Florida National Guide: Educational Dollars for Duty is eligible for Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen

For more information, visit our flight school loans page.

Pilot training cost and funding

Where will I train to complete my degree and pilot training?

You can either study for an airline pilot Bachelor's degree at Seminole State College of Florida (SSC), or Jacksonville University (JU). For either course, you will complete your pilot training at the L3Harris USA Flight Academy in Orlando, Florida.

Orlando Flight School

How long does it take to complete a college degree?

It may take 2-years to complete an Associate’s Degree from Seminole State College of Florida (SSC), where you can transfer credits over from your flying courses to your degree.

Alternatively, you can complete a 4-year airline pilot Bachelor's Degree at Jacksonville University (JU).

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What is next after completing your airline pilot bachelor’s degree?

After completing your airline pilot Bachelor's degree, you will be able to apply to the major and regional airlines across the USA. Becoming a Flight Instructor allows you to build up the necessary flying hours before embarking on a career as a commercial pilot.

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Ready to start your application?

Take your first step towards becoming an airline pilot and apply today. Good luck and we look forward to welcoming you to our Flight Academy!

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