Aviation Degree Program: San Diego, California

Aviation Degree Program in San Diego

• Do you want to earn a degree while you become a professional pilot?
• Are you a San Diego based veteran looking for a tax-free housing allowance while you do your flight training?
• Are you looking to continue your flight training after the Flex Air SkillBridge Aviation program?
  
• Are you looking to make the most of your VA benefits like the GI Bill and VR&E for flight training?

We recommend an aviation program like the Aviation Operations Program at San Diego Miramar College in partnership with Flex Air Flight School.

Aviation Management Degree Program

College and university aviation programs have a lot to offer any student but especially veterans! Flex Air Flight School is proud to work with San Diego Miramar college Aviation Operations Program. They offer aviation programs in airline management, airport management and a professional aeronautics program.

San Diego Miramar College and Flex Air Professional Flight Training

The Aviation Operations Program is a two-year associate degree program that integrates simulator flight training with academic study, providing a strong foundation for leadership positions within the aviation industry. The program emphasizes a combination of the technical fundamentals of flight, airport operations, human factors, group dynamics, and safety. The program meets all requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 141 Pilot Ground School. Upon completion of the program, students are able to complete the FAA Airmen Knowledge Tests for multiple pilot certificates, such as private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot.

Veterans can use their GI Bill to enroll in Miramar College and complete all of the following courses (including the written FAA exams) at no charge:

• Instrument Rating (IR)
• Commercial Single-Engine (COMM ASEL)
• Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Certificated Flight Instructor, Instrument (CFI-I)

Advantages of San Diego Miramar College Aviation Programs at Flex Air:

College Credit and Tax-free housing allowance from the GI Bill

This is a great opportunity for veterans to remain in San Diego and continue making progress for another 6-9 months while receiving $3,792 / month tax free (2023 rates). They will also earn college credits that can transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in aviation or related fields. And most importantly, they will be on their way to becoming a professional pilot. While you stay in San Diego at Miramar College and you'll draw E-5 housing allowance from your GI Bill while enrolled.

That's $3792/mo tax free!  

Flight Training with your Aviation Program

You can continue doing your flying at Flex Air in San Diego though your CFII. Then you can go to your Kansas City location (housing available) for 3 months to do your Commercial, Multi Engine, and CFI Training and then return to San Diego (and even work at Flex Air as a CFI while you build your hours).

 VR&E Can Mean Free Flight Training for Veterans with no annual limits

Your Veteran Readiness and Education (VR&E) benefit provides even more funding on top of the GI Bill, and is easier to use for aviation education programs than the GI Bill. For many veterans, the best move is to use your GI Bill to pay for the academic courses at Miramar College, then use your VR&E benefit to pay for flight training at a flight school like Flex Air. To make the most of your benefits, you need to be smart about filing your VA claims. To prepare for your VR&E counselor interview, you'll want to refer to our Flex Air guide to VR&E benefits.

Choose an enrollment date that maximizes your benefits

Military members in SkillBridge or on active duty won't receive a VA Military Housing Allowance (MHA) while enrolled in college courses. You can't "double dip" from your active-duty Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and your MHA simultaneously. So, it's important to pick a smart enrollment date that starts your MHA as soon as possible after you depart active duty.

California Aeronautical University and College Options

California offers several institutions that provide top-quality aviation degree programs to help you achieve your goals. One such good option is the Aviation Operations Program at San Diego Miramar College in partnership with Flex Air Flight School. Together they offer comprehensive flight training and aviation education.

Whether you aspire to become a commercial pilot or pursue a career in aviation management and administration, pursuing an aviation degree can open doors to fulfilling careers. From flight schools to aviation law, the aviation industry offers a diverse array of opportunities for those with a passion for flying and aircraft.

Aviation Technical Operations

The San Diego Miramar College Aviation Operations Program combines simulator flight training with a rigorous academic program, providing a solid foundation for leadership positions in the aviation industry. The program focuses on a combination of the technical fundamentals of flight, airport operations, human factors, group dynamics, and safety in order to develop students' situational awareness, critical thinking skills, and problem solving skills. Miramar College's Aviation Operations Program meets all the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Part 141 Pilot Ground School. After completing the program, students are able to complete the FAA Airmen Knowledge Tests for multiple pilot certificates. There are flexible course selection and multiple degree and certificate options available. These all work to prepare the student for a variety of aviation career paths including commercial pilot, certified flight instructor and many more.

Aviation Management and Operations Degree and Certificate Options

Associate of Science

Certificate of Achievement

Certificate of Performance

Aviation Career: Professional Pilot and more

Below is a partial list of the some of the many career training options the Aviation Operations Program prepares its graduates to embark upon:

• Airline Management
• Airport Management
• Air Traffic Control
• Border Patrol
• Commercial Airline Pilot
• Corporate Pilot
• Ag Pilot, Dispatcher
• Banner Towing
• Certificated Flight Instructor
• Airline Flight Operations
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Fixed Base Operator Management
• Flying Club Management
• Flight Operations Supervisor
• Transportation Security Administration

Some aviation-related career fields require study beyond the associate degree level. Students intending to transfer to a university in an aviation related major should consider completing an associate degree in the Professional Aeronautics program.