Miami Dade College

Located in Miami, Florida, Miami Dade College offers four associate degrees, eight certificates, and three continuing education courses students can take within the Eig-Watson School of Aviation. The school has been a leader in aviation education since 1961. Students have a choice of flight training at one of two third-party training centers.

Program Highlights

Miami Dade College is an FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school and flight operations are conducted at either the Miami International Airport (KMIA) or the Miami Executive Airport (KTMB), the student’s choice.

Miami Dade College does not have its own fleet of aircraft, instead, the college has a partnership agreement with the local flight school Wayman Aviation and ADF Airways.

Programs Miami Dade College offers include:

• Associate of Applied Science
  • Aviation Administration
  • Aviation Maintenance Management
  • Professional Pilot Technology
  • Transportation and Logistics
• Certificates
  • Airline/Aviation Management
  • Airport Management
  • Air Cargo Management
  • Passenger Service Agent
  • International Freight Transportation
  • Intermodal Freight Transportation
  • Logistics and Transportation
  • Aircraft Structural Assembly and Fabrication Apprenticeship
• Continuing Education Courses
  • Global Logistics Certificate
  • Helicopter Familiarization
  • Aircraft Dispatcher Certification

Students who finish an associate degree can continue on to any of the school’s bachelor’s degree programs; all the credits within the associate program will be applied.

Miami Dade also offers some non-credit courses to get students familiar with other aspects of the aviation industry, including:
● Drones
● Aviation Emergency
● Aviation Phraseology
● Aircraft Characteristics and Recognition.

The school is part of Region 9 of the National intercollegiate Flying Association.

Value

Miami Dade College’s tuition for both in- and out-of-state students is very affordable. In-state students will pay roughly $3,000 a year, while out-of-state students will pay just under $10,000 a year. This is base tuition and does not include flight expenses.

Flight fees will vary depending on which third-party partner a student chooses to fly with. Flying with ADF will incur costs around $75,000 to finish all the necessary ratings to work as a pilot and flying with Wayman Aviation will cost between $40,000-60,000.

Miami Dade College offers scholarships to aviation students and accepts outside scholarships to help students pay for school. Scholarships include:

● Eig-Watson School of Aviation Merit Scholarship
● Bright Futures Scholarship
● Timothy E. Johnson Scholarship for Aspiring Pilots

The school also accepts veteran’s benefits such as GI Bill.

Fleet and Facilities

Both schools have a combination of:

● Piper Senecas
● Piper Arrows
● Piper Arrows
● Cessna 172s
● Cessna 152s

Miami Executive offers students simulators to continue their flight training on the ground, including:

● Redbird VTO-helicopter
● Redbird FMX Simulator
● Frasca Mentor AATD Simulator
● 15 stationary trainers

Graduates are eligible for the restricted ATP of 1,250 hours.

Campus Life

Miami Dade College can offer students more than just a comprehensive degree. The college is dedicated to providing an artistic outlet for students and it hosts many arts and culture events on campus, including:

● The Miami Book Fair
● The Miami Film Festival
● Live Arts Miami

Miami Dade also has a handful of athletics teams. The Sharks are represented in baseball, basketball, softball, and volleyball.

For aviation-minded students, the school’s flight team and the Aviation Management Student Association (AMSA) are two ways students can get more involved in the industry before graduation.

The Bottom Line

Miami Dade College offers students the flexibility of choosing which flight school and airport to fly out of by partnering with flight schools in the immediate area. Allowing students to focus on a degree on certificate program can open up timelines for students working full time while attending school. Athletics and student organizations can give students an opportunity to connect with other students. and enjoy their free time.