Exit Exams for College Flight Programs: Redundant Activity or Certification of Competency?

Abstract

A wide variety of training organizations prepare prospective pilots for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. Students enrolled in collegiate flight training programs also complete several FAA certifications; however, their graduation is contingent upon completion of an academic curriculum rather than standardized exit examinations that measure competency for professional flight duties within the aviation industry. Since establishment in 1988, the Council on Aviation Accreditation (CAA) has provided a measurement of collegiate flight program quality and attempted to promote curricular standardization; however, the number of college flight programs currently accredited remains relatively small. This paper presents the results of a survey that addressed issues related to the establishment of a standardized college flight program exit examination. Many flight program administrators currently believe that existing FAA certifications provide a solid foundation for program graduates and that grooming to meet professional industry standards is the responsibility of the hiring airline/operator. Survey findings suggest an interest in the establishment of four-year flight program exit examinations, but respondents expressed a concern about the form of such exams and how to address those who fail. The findings described in this paper were analyzed to evaluate support in the aviation education community for standardized exit examinations as well as to promote a dialogue between aviation industry and flight program administrators on the utility of exit examinations.