Aviation Education - Frequently Asked Questions

Information on tuition and fees can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Professional Pilot students learn to fly through one-on-one instruction with an FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). This includes both one-on-one ground and flight instruction in both simulators and aircraft. Students pay an hourly rate for this ground and flight instruction and the number of hours required to complete the flight courses will vary between students based on individual aeronautical ability, student preparation, motivation, and other factors. These hourly costs are covered by flight fees which are billed in advance of each semester, in addition to regular tuition and regular Farmingdale State College fees. These Aero/flight fees must be paid for each semester that a student is enrolled in the Pro Pilot program or if they are a non-pilot student enrolled in a flight block. Current flight fees are $9,000.00 per semester and these are subject to change. Summer flying sessions are also available as long as the student has a positive flight fee balance. If a student depletes the flight fee funds on their account during the semester, they will be required to deposit additional funds to continue flight training for that semester.

If there is a remaining balance on your Aero Fee account at the end of the semester it will be "rolled over" and you will be able to use these funds toward flight training for the next semester, and for advanced flight certification. You will be charged the $9,000 flight fee each semester regardless of your Aero Fee account balance. In the event of graduation, change of majors or withdrawal from the college, a student may request a refund to withdraw the remaining balance in their Aero Fee account by emailing the Assistant Director for Administration. Refunds are issued at the discretion of Student Accounts office and can take 4-6 weeks to process.

There are several federally subsidized and unsubsidized programs available to assist you in obtaining a college education. The College also has a listing of a large number of scholarships available at the Financial Aid Office. In addition to the federal programs and scholarships, there are a number of commercial sources available to cover those unmet needs. Furthermore, payment plans are available through the FSC website or Student accounts office to pay their tuition and Aero fees in several payments.

Registration for a flight block/schedule is accomplished at the Aviation Center during the class registration process. Registration dates for each student are assigned by the Registrar through separate correspondence with each student and are not controlled by the Aviation Center. Flight block openings are limited; therefore, students must be in a paid status (which includes both the "Aero Fee" and College tuition/Fees) by the payment deadline date to retain their flight block/schedule. Notification of the payment deadline date is sent to the student well in advance to allow for payment arrangements. If all seats are full, students without a flight block will be added to the waiting list, provided that their account reflects a "Paid Status."

Students meet 3 times per week with their instructor during their assigned flight block each semester.  During the semester the Aviation Center operates six days per week from 7am-8pm. Students are required to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to their scheduled Flight Block time to complete the necessary pre-flight preparation in anticipation of their upcoming flight activity. Although 30 minutes is the minimum, more time might be necessary for adequate preparation.

Flight block assignments are "first come-first served on registration day, but the Aviation Center Management reserves the right to assign student flight block as they see fit to best serve the entire student population. For example, students that require their flights to be performed during the daytime (AVN 105, 106, 212, 310, or 412) are required to choose between Blocks 1-4 and 6-9, while students enrolled in the Instrument course AVN 209 are required to select Block IN1 or IN2-if that block is offered during that semester.

Students are strongly encouraged to secure a flight block as soon as possible during registration and not just sign up on the wait list hoping for an opening during the preferred time. The waitlist is never a guarantee of a block. See Aviation Center Management for schedule conflict concerns.

Flight Blocks are listed as Aviation Courses AVN 094 and are as follows:

(MWF= Monday, Wednesday, Friday) (TRS= Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

 

BLOCK #	DAYS	START TIME	END TIME
BL1	MWF	0700	0915
BL2	MWF	0930	1145
BL3	MWF	1215	1430
BL4	MWF	1445	1700
IN1	MWF	1745	1930
BL6	TRS	0700	0915
BL7	TRS	0930	1145
BL8	TRS	1215	1430
BL9	TRS	1445	1700
CFI	TRS	1445	1700
IN2	TRS	1700	1930
WTL	WAIT LIST

 

Your flight course requirements need to be completed prior to the end of the following year semester in which you registered for that flight course. ie: Students who enrolled in a flight course during Fall 2015 must be completed no later than end semester of Fall 2016.

Academic Flight Course Grading Policy:

Within this time frame a student must either:

• Successfully complete the course and be issued a grade. Courses are graded upon completion of a Practical Test and a certificate or rating was earned from the FAA or Designated Pilot Examiner, if applicable.

OR

• Withdraw from the course, due to the following extenuating circumstances: Active Military Obligations, Medical conditions requiring removal from active flight status for durations of 60 consecutive days or more.
• If neither of the above occurs, a failing grade will be assigned.

Students that have soloed or have pilot certificates/ratings are required to meet with the Chief Flight Instructor to determine the best course of action to seamlessly continue flight training.

Please note, in order to be admitted to the program, students with previous flight experience are limited to have earned at most a Private Pilot Certificate. If you have earned your instrument rating or commercial pilot certificate, you will not be eligible for admission to the Professional Pilot program. However, if you wish to continue your training at the Aviation Center while already having these certificates, you may do so, along with pursuing another FSC Degree (ie: Aviation Administration).

All aviation courses subject to being transferred to FSC, flight or non-flight, are reviewed by the Aviation Department for transferability. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a review process of transfer courses. For questions about the transferability of courses, please contact the Aviation Department. Students may e-mail the Aviation Department Chairperson. Please refer to the Admissions Department for more information on departmental and transfer policies. Once a student has received appropriate academic credit for flight certificates held, they will still need an evaluation conducted by the Chief or Assistant Chief Flight Instructor to ensure the student meets the minimum requirements set forth in the FAA Practical Test Standards for the certificate held. This Evaluation is accomplished by enrolling in AVN112. Contact the Chief Flight Instructor for more information.

The Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College provides all of the flight training. The aircraft are owned by Farmingdale State College and the instructors are employees of the College. Many of our Instructors are graduates of the Professional Pilot program at Farmingdale State College. All the aircraft are maintained by an in-house maintenance department and our technicians are employees of Farmingdale State College.

Proof of US Citizenship is required prior to initiating any flight training in the form of an unexpired US Passport, US Naturalization Certificate, or an ORIGINAL US or Territory Birth Certificate with raised seal. Resident Aliens should contact the Aviation Center for additional document requirements. Non US citizens are required to fill out an application with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prior to flight training. Students will not be allowed to fly until clearance is provided. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS FOR CLEARANCE. Information can be found in Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part 1552 and TSA-Alien Flight Student Program. You may also email the Chief Flight Instructor for more information.

A medical exam administered by an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner is required prior to flight training. Students must be able to obtain and maintain a 1st, 2nd or 3rd class FAA medical certificate. For students pursuing flight as a career choice the department strongly recommends students obtain a 1st class medical certificate. The requirements for medical standards are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part 67. To locate an Aviation Medical Examiner in your area visit http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator. Students wishing to enroll in a flight course are required to have at least a third class medical prior to beginning their flight training at Farmingdale State College.

There are several reasons for which you could be denied a medical certificate even if you feel you are in good health. These reasons have to do with medical and/or legal problems you have had, and should be evaluated before beginning your education for an aviation-related career. If any of these problems need to be addressed to obtain your certificate, delays might occur. Therefore, we advise you to obtain a FAA medical certificate before coming to new student Flight Center orientation at Farmingdale State College. Information will be emailed prior to the new student orientation. You are required to possess a medical certificate prior to flight training. It is in your best interest to obtain your medical certificate early to avoid delays. If you have no known medical issues, the entire process to receive a FAA medical is relatively straightforward and should be accomplished within a few hours. If you have a complicated medical history or any potentially disqualifying conditions we recommend that you apply at least 3 months prior to beginning your flight class.

Certain medical conditions and behavior problems can result in denial of your medical certificate. The following link provides information related to eligibility ( or disqualifying medical conditions) for a First, Second or Third Class medical. Although a Third Class is required, it is strongly recommended that students interested in aviation as a profession apply for a First Class FAA Medical Certificate. Please visit Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part 67 for more information.

Each flight training syllabus allows for various ground and/or simulator activities to be accomplished during the course. Normally, training will still be accomplished if the weather or maintenance doesn't permit a flight. Each student's progress is continuously monitored and changes may be made based on unusual circumstances.

One of the unique features about choosing Farmingdale State College and flight training on Long Island is that students learn to fly in complex airspace and many different weather environments. The Aviation Center is located at KFRG -Republic Airport, a Class Delta airport underlying the New York Class Bravo Airspace fifteen miles west of the Long Island MacArthur Class Charlie Airspace offering our students the opportunity to experience interaction with Air Traffic Control and the National Airspace System. When able, students are exposed to as much flying in "actual" weather conditions as possible during their instrument training. This training helps them prepare for their professional careers. In addition, there are plenty of ground and simulator activities integrated in the training syllabus to allow for those days when flights are not possible.

The flight and ground Training Course Outlines (TCOs) at Farmingdale State College are approved by the FAA under FAR Part 141 and require that each student pass each stage of training with an 80% or better grade prior to moving to the next stage. In addition, our courses require that an overall grade of an 80% or higher be maintained in the course.

The Aviation Center strongly encourages all prospective flight students should inquire about an introductory flight lesson at a FSC Flight Center. If you have the passion and desire for flight, you probably will love the experience. However, some people do realize that although they have a passion for aviation, being inside a small airplane may cause physical discomfort. It's beneficial to discover that early. Students may instead pursue a non-flying aviation career path. FSC offers a four year degree program in Aviation Management. This program offers courses in airline and airport management, aviation law and security.

The Aviation Center offers FAA Written Testing. For Farmingdale State College students, the cost of the written tests is deducted directly from the Aero Fee account and can be scheduled with your flight instructor.