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Flight control specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a flight control specialist. Flight control specialists usually study automotive technology, electrical engineering, or aviation. 45% of flight control specialists hold a associate degree, and 35% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 130 real flight control specialist resumes to see exactly what flight control specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for flight control specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online flight control specialist courses to help get the education required to be a flight control specialist.

What education do you need to become a flight control specialist?

What degree do you need to be a flight control specialist?

The most common degree for flight control specialists is associate degree, with 45% of flight control specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 35% and bachelor's degree degree at 8%.
  • Associate, 45%
  • Bachelor's, 35%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Master's, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a flight control specialist?

You should major in automotive technology to become a flight control specialist. 25% of flight control specialists major in automotive technology. Other common majors for a flight control specialist include electrical engineering and aviation.

Most common colleges for flight control specialists

Flight control specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Western Governors University, and Colorado Technical University. Here are the most common colleges for flight control specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Flight control specialist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix8.00%
Western Governors University8.00%
Colorado Technical University8.00%
Capella University8.00%
DeVry University8.00%

Best majors for flight control specialists

RankMajorPercentages
1Automotive Technology25.0%
2Electrical Engineering13.9%
3Aviation9.7%
4Business8.3%
5Management5.6%

Best colleges for flight control specialists

The best colleges for flight control specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A flight control specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for flight control specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become flight control specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$14,704

Enrollment

9,447

6. Baker College

Owosso, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$9,800

Enrollment

8,319

7. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

20 best online courses for flight control specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Fundamentals of Flight mechanics

coursera

How do planes take off? How do they fly? How do pilots maintain control of them? And how high can airplanes fly? Get answers to all these questions and more with this specialization exploring the fundamentals of flight mechanics. You will learn how the laws of physics apply to airplanes and discover important concepts in aviation including lift, drag, and propulsion...

2. Flight mechanics - Propulsive balance and energy

coursera

This course is dedicated to energy management, i.e. speed and altitude control. The various sources of drag are first described and modeled, as well as thrust origin, and evolution with speed and altitude. Using these models, we can evaluate the propulsive balance and derive important concepts like flight regimes, best climb speed, or propulsion ceiling. We take then a glance at cruise performances and the evolution of range with weight. This course is a part of the specialization "Fundamentals...

3. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft

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4.5
(403)

Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...

4. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

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4.2
(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

5. Flight Mechanics - Anemobarometry

coursera

This course focuses on the physics of the atmosphere and its consequences on speed and altitude measurements. At the end of this course, you will understand precisely the meaning of the speed and altitude indication available to the pilot of an airplane. You will understand the difference between standard and actual atmosphere and be able to perform basic altitude and speed correction computations. You will understand why jet airliners need to be pressurized, or why a clogged Pitot tube can...

6. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

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4.6
(292)

Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

7. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)

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4.6
(731)

Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...

8. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

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4.6
(960)

Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

9. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

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4.4
(798)

Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

10. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch

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4.3
(702)

Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...

11. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC

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4.6
(1,142)

Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...

12. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

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4.6
(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

13. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

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4.2
(338)

Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

14. Phantom & Mavic Flightschool - flight training & Go4 app

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4.5
(402)

Master your flying skills & the DJI Go flight modes like Tapfly, Active Track, Waypoints, Point of interest & more!...

15. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK

udemy
4.3
(603)

Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...

16. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2

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4.7
(718)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

17. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced

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4.6
(2,504)

Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...

18. Model a Car and Design a PID Controller in MATLAB/SIMULINK

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4.3
(806)

Model and simulate an electric car (Tesla Model S) in MATLAB & SIMULINK and design your own PID speed controller...

19. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

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4.5
(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

20. BMS - Building management system

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4.1
(295)

BMS, building management system & building automation systems study , design and calculations...

Top 10 most affordable universities for flight control specialists

The most affordable schools for flight control specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for flight control specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for flight control specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for flight control specialists

The hardest universities for flight control specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for flight control specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for flight control specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for flight control specialists

The easiest schools for flight control specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, oregon institute of technology, and capitol technology university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a flight control specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for flight control specialists.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

9. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

10. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

Average flight control specialist salary by education level

According to our data, flight control specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $47,335 annually. Flight control specialists with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $45,036.
Flight control specialist education levelFlight control specialist salary
High School Diploma or Less$36,609
Bachelor's Degree$47,335
Some College/ Associate Degree$45,036

Flight control specialist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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