  Humans only learned to fly about 100 years ago. Since then we have been refining the science and always will. Those who are at the forefront of aviation can look forward to being at the vanguard of the 21st century. The best aeronautics and aviation programs will most likely have strong co-op or internship opportunities where you can learn hands on everyday.WMU accepts the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. College Facilities  The College of Aviation's ability to deliver this comprehensive education is enhanced by its state-of-the-art facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan. The College occupies 92,000 square feet on 20 acres at the airport. The Flight Operations Building is the former airport terminal and tower. Its space is now devoted to administrative offices, flight planning areas, and flight briefing/debriefing rooms. The Aviation Education Center next door features, in addition to several classrooms, a computer laboratory, a library, a lounge and faculty offices. The College also uses three main storage hangars and the Aviation Maintenance Building, which includes six engine test cells and four laboratories for instruction and research. The Simulator Lab is located adjacent to the Main Maintenance Hanger and houses a Level 5 CRJ-200 flight training device, as well as fixed base flight training devices. Why should I attend WMU's College of Aviation?  WMU works closely with the aviation industry to ensure that our graduates possess the skills and abilities required by employers. We continue to break new ground with modern training techniques and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. At the College of Aviation our goal is your success! A Total College Experience Some institutions offer a flight training degree; however, they lack the experiences that only a real University can give a student--student life, athletic events, residence hall experiences, and many other benefits that a diverse University campus, like WMU's, has to offer. Industry Expertise and Job Placement The College of Aviation (COA) is very well received in the aviation/airline industry. COA has developed many corporate partnerships with companies such as Aerodynamics Incorporated (ADI), Cirrus, Duncan Aviation, Express Jet, American Airlines etc. Our students have the ability to transfer classroom and flight training knowledge into successful aviation careers. The Dean Capt. Dave Powell, a retired 777 captain at United Airlines, also managed the pilot hiring during his tenure at United Airlines. As part of our innovative process, COA was able to offer over 20 aviation internships last year within the aviation industry to qualified students. The aviation internships allow students the opportunity to network with professionals and gain hands experience within each company. Due to the increase in aviation hiring, COA is placing graduates into aviation employment at a rate between 90-95%.  University-Approved Bachelor of Science CurriculumOur students not only take aviation courses, but they also complete communications courses, mathematics courses, physics courses, and more, all in line with the University structure to complete a Bachelor of Science degree. Therefore, we provide students a well-rounded education with which to enter the work force. Smaller Upper-Level Aviation Courses Our students get a personal feel for our instructors as well as plenty of one-on-one instruction in their upper-level aviation courses. Some of the Best Facilities in the Country The College of Aviation occupies 92,000 square feet on 20 acres at the W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan. The W.K. Kellogg Airport has a 10,000+ foot runway, the second largest in the State of Michigan. Aircraft Variety Our fleet includes Cirrus SR20's and SR22's, Piper Seneca's, Seminoles and Arrows, and a Piper Super Cub float plane. A Broad Range of Weather Conditions Our location in Southwest Michigan is a major advantage for our students. Training in a wide variety of weather conditions provides necessary experience that is not easily attainable in an arid climate. At WMU, our students are exposed to nearly every weather phenomenon possible, from rain to ice, clear blue skies to thunderstorms. Since we fly during all four seasons, our pilots are more prepared for inclement weather situations.  Top-Quality TrainingWMU's NIFA flight team, the WMU Sky Broncos, has won the regional championship in all but one year since 1993 and has placed among the top three in the nation for 15 consecutive years. High Training Standards = Highly Sought Graduates WMU has bridge agreements in place with several regional carriers, including Mesaba and American Eagle, allowing WMU graduates to obtain an interview at a lower number of flight hours than a non-WMU graduate. We also have cooperative agreements with Duncan Aviation and L-3 Communications that enable our students to have opportunities to "earn as they learn". It's All About the Students WMU's College of Aviation continues to strive to provide students with better educational experiences, continuously improving and introducing innovative training methods, procedures, and an enhanced holistic University experience. Get Started Today! Please use the form on this page to contact Western Michigan University about your future in education and aviation. Locations:
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