Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/9/2010

Question
Respected Sir,

Hi I am very keen in making my career exclusively in aviation. I am very fond of this particular industry. I am presently pursuing Bachelor of Commerce in India. I am looking for aviation management courses as want to make my career in airport,airline,aerospace manufacturing company’s ,so kindly provide me some good institutes name for the same and there admission process. I am looking for scholarships too. What can be the average remuneration can I get after completing aviation management courses in USA or in Canada on an average. We don't have so much awareness in our country towards this particular industry, so it gets difficult to gather information for it.

Answer
Hi, Yash:

It is nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist you with your questions.

First of all, you asked about aviation management courses that you can pursue.  I am assuming that you mean something like an MBA in Aviation or an MBA in Aviation Management?

In India, there are two that I know of:

1.  The University of Energy and Petroleum Studies in Dehradun:  http://www.upes.ac.in/transportationpg.asp    They offer the MBA in Aviation Management and have done so for some years.

2.  Hindustan University in Chennai (?) also offers this cours:  hetc@vsnl.com

In the USA, there are the following universities and colleges that offer the MBA in Aviation:

1. Daniel Webster (Nashua, New Hampshire)  www.dwc.edu

2.  Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida   www.erau.edu

3.  Dowling College, Oakdale, New York   www.dowling.edu

The above are on-line programs.   Embry Riddle also offers a traditional on campus program.

As for scholarships, the University Aviation Association at www.uaa.aero has available a COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING that lists over $1.2 million in aviation scholarships, mostly good in the USA.  It can be ordered from their website above at a cost of $14.95 plus shipping.  It can also be viewed but not downloade at their website abvoe.

The average remuneration for someone from an MBA in Aviation Management program will vary depending on the segment of aviation that you decide to specialize in once you graduate.  For example, aviation manufacturers and, sometimes, airlines have the best salaries in the industry.  You will see MBA's start at about $40,000 to $60,000 US per year, depending on the location and the company.  Airports will pay a greater range of salaries, with smaller airports starting salaries lower than $40,000 and the larger airports starting somewhat higher than that.

You can look at the U. S. Department of Labor Website for more information on this subject via the Occupational Outlook Handbook:

http://www.bls.gov/OCO/

I hope that this information is of assistance to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu