Location:

Niles High School at Andrews University (evening)

Career Opportunities Include:

· Accident Investigator
· Aircraft Insurance Specialist
· Aircraft Mechanic
· Commercial Pilot
· Maintenance Supervisor
· Safety Inspector

GRADES: 11-12

Class Description

This college level course acquaints students with opportunities available in aviation. Topics include mission flying, flight instruction, aircraft maintenance, avionics, sales, safety, and aerodynamics of flight. Some dual flight instruction is included.

Content Areas

· Flight Instructor
· Aviation Manufacturing Technician
· Aircraft Maintenance
· Airline Flight Dispatcher
· Airline Pilot

Career Outlook

Pilots are highly trained professionals who fly airplanes and helicopters to carry out a wide variety of tasks.

The best opportunities for jobs will be with the regional airlines and business aviation.

In 2002, median annual earnings of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were $109,580. Median annual earnings of commercial pilots were $47,970 in 2002.

Many aircraft mechanics, also called airframe, powerplant, and avionics aviation maintenance technicians, specialize in preventive maintenance.

Median hourly earnings of aircraft mechanics and service technicians were about $20.71 in 2002.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2004-2005 Edition. http://bls.gov/oco/