The Marketability of Higher Education Aviation Graduates as Perceived by Regional Airline Pilots

The purpose of this study was to expose any perceived inadequacies in the higher-education aviation curricula and to propose changes needed to better qualify aviation students in the hiring process at regional air carriers. The research also addressed the assumption that higher education is necessary for advancing a pilot’s aptitudes and abilities to perform the highly technical tasks of a professional pilot in a regional airline environment. A survey was used to poll pilots from two regional airlines that were based in Texas. Analysis of the survey responses revealed the perceived quality of training that existed in higher education aviation programs. This confirmed the value of advising a path of higher education for students embarking on an aviation career as a pilot for a regional airline, and that 2-year colleges and 4-year universities with aviation programs are meeting the present demands required by regional airlines in the south-central United States.