Expert: David A. NewMyer - 1/22/2006

Question
I am a pilot and A&P mechanic. I graduated with an A.A.S. in Aviation Maintence.  I am currently working for an aircraft manufacture and through my employer I can attend college and get reimbursed for tuition. So I would like to pursue a Bachelors degree. I would someday like to be an Airport Manager/FBO manager at a smaller airport someday.  What degree do you think would be the best for me to pursue.  
Thanks  

Answer
Hi Spence:

Thanks for your question, I will try to assist!

As someone who has the goal to manage either an airport or an FBO, I think that the best match for you would be a B.S. in Aviation Management or Aviation Administration.  There are over 50 postsecondary institutions that offer this degree from coast to coast including Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Auburn University and Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) on the southest and east, to Purdue University, Parks College of St. Louis University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (where I work) in the middle of the nation and Cal State LA and Arizona State out west....if you need a specific list of schools, the University Aviation Association (at www.uaa.aero or call 334-844-2434) sells a publication that lists aviation degree programs and who offers them.  The publication is entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.

An aviation management degree will give you some of the basic foundation courses like aviation finance/fiscal, aviation regulation, aviation law, as well as application courses such as airport management, fBO management and the like.

For a sample of one aviation management curriculum, you can visit www.aviation.siu.edu and then go to academic programs to select Aviation Management to see what Southern Illinois University offers.

I hope that this is of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

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