Aviation Systems Technology
Associate Degree in Applied Science
What You’ll Learn
Forsyth Tech’s Aviation Systems Technology program prepares students to become FAA-approved aircraft mechanics. With a curriculum covering aviation mathematics, regulations, aircraft systems, and engine maintenance, graduates can pursue entry-level positions in the aviation industry with airlines, manufacturers, repair stations, and more.
Outcomes
- Maintenance
- Electronics
- Inspection
- Diagnostics
- Communication
- Safety
- Management
- Regulations
How Long Does it take?
Typically, it takes two years of full-time study to complete an associate’s degree in aviation. Most programs require approximately 91 credit hours.
What are the differences between an associate’s degree in aviation and a bachelor’s degree?
Many students opt for the “2+2” approach. They earn their Associate’s at a community college to get their licenses and start working as a flight instructor, then finish their Bachelor’s online while they are already building their flight hours. It’s a smart way to save money while checking the “4-year degree” box.
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Associate’s (2 Years): Focuses almost exclusively on technical skills. You take your core FAA-required courses, basic math/physics, and flight labs. It’s designed to get you “checkride ready” as quickly as possible.
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Bachelor’s (4 Years): Includes the same technical training but adds “upper-division” coursework. This involves aviation law, advanced meteorology, crew resource management (CRM), and corporate finance. It’s designed to create a well-rounded professional, not just a technician.
While you can become a commercial pilot with an Associate’s degree, a Bachelor’s degree is often a “soft” or “hard” requirement for certain milestones:
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Major Airlines: Most “Legacy” carriers (like Delta, United, or American) historically preferred or required a 4-year degree. While some have relaxed this during pilot shortages, a Bachelor’s remains a major competitive advantage.
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Management Roles: If you ever want to move from the cockpit to a “Chief Pilot” office or transition into airport administration, a Bachelor’s degree is almost always required.
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Military Aviation: To become a pilot in the Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps, you must be a commissioned officer, which requires a 4-year degree.
Curriculum & Class Schedule
Legend:
AComprehensive Articulation Agreement (This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.)
LLocal Requirement
IInstructional Service Agreement
UUniversal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
GGlobal Distinction
RRequisite(s)
Disclaimer line: This is a suggested list. You will consult with an academic advisor to develop your exact curriculum, based on your interests and any credits you may already have obtained prior to arriving at Forsyth Tech.
AVI 110: Aviation Maintenance-Gen.
Credit Hours: 15
Select one:
ENG 110: Workplace Writing Essentials
RCredit Hours: 3
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry
A U G RCredit Hours: 3
AVI 120: Airframe Maintenance I
RCredit Hours: 12
Select one:
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc (Global)
A U G RCredit Hours: 3
ENG 115: Oral Communication
Credit Hours: 3
AVI 130: Airframe Maintenance II
RCredit Hours: 9
Select one:
MAT 143: Quantitative Literacy
A U G RCredit Hours: 3
MAT 171: Precalculus Algebra
A U RCredit Hours: 4
AVI 230: Airframe Maintenance III
RCredit Hours: 7
AVI 240: Powerplant Maintenance I
RCredit Hours: 6
Select one:
CIS 110: Introduction to Computers
ACredit Hours: 3
WBL 111: Work-Based Learning I
Credit Hours: 1
AVI 250: Powerplant Maintenance II
RCredit Hours: 15
PSY 150: General Psychology (Global)
A U GCredit Hours: 3
AVI 260: Powerplant Maint. III
RCredit Hours: 9
: Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
ACredit Hours: 3
Legend:
AComprehensive Articulation Agreement (This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.)
LLocal Requirement
IInstructional Service Agreement
UUniversal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
GGlobal Distinction
RRequisite(s)
Career Tracks
What are the career options after earning an associate’s degree in aviation?
If your associate’s degree includes flight training (an AAS in Aviation Flight), you graduate with your Commercial Pilot Certificate and several ratings.
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Certified Flight Instructor (CFI): Most graduates start here to build the 1,000–1,500 hours required for airlines.
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Regional Airline First Officer: Many regional airlines hire pilots with an associate’s degree once they hit their hour requirements.
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Corporate or Charter Pilot: Flying private jets or cargo (like Part 135 operations) often values experience and specific ratings over a four-year degree.
This is arguably the most stable path for associate degree holders. Schools often combine the degree with FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification.
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Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT): Working for major airlines or repair stations. Starting salaries in 2026 often range from $60,000 to $85,000.
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Avionics Technician: Specializing in the “brains” of the plane—navigation, communication, and computer systems.
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Aviation Safety Inspector: With a few years of maintenance experience, you can work for the FAA or private firms ensuring aircraft meet safety standards.
An Associate in Aviation Management focuses on the “ground side” of the industry.
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Airfield Operations Specialist: Coordinating daily activities on the tarmac, ensuring safety compliance, and managing ground traffic.
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Flight Dispatcher: You work with pilots to plan flight paths, check weather, and calculate fuel loads. This requires a specific FAA Dispatcher Certificate, which many associate programs include.
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Airport Manager (Small/Regional): While major international airports require a Bachelor’s or Master’s, many municipal airports hire associate degree holders for management roles.
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Commercial Drone Operator: Industries like agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure inspection are hiring pilots with specialized associate degrees in UAS technology.
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UAS Mission Coordinator: Planning and overseeing complex drone operations for delivery or surveillance companies.
This path focuses on the separation of aircraft and the efficiency of the National Airspace System.
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Air Traffic Controller (ATC): Managing the safe flow of aircraft in the sky and on the ground. This is the highest-paying role for associate degree holders, but it requires passing the ATSA (aptitude test) and being hired before age 31.
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Flight Dispatcher: Often called “pilots on the ground,” they share legal responsibility for flight safety with the captain. Many ATC students cross-train here because the knowledge of weather and regulations is similar.
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Airfield Operations Specialist: Ensuring the runways are safe and the “ground game” of the airport is running smoothly.
Visit us today!
Forsyth Tech’s Mazie S. Woodruff Aviation Technology Lab is located at:
2739 Aviation Dr,
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
