Tag Archives: aviation program

Q&A with First-Year Aviation Student Noah Noble 

Noah Noble is a freshman aviation student from Lemoore, California. Ever since Noah was a kid, he always wanted to be in Aviation, which is why he chose this program. One of the reasons he particularly chose to attend PUC is because the program would allow him to make his dreams come true and train in an environment that will prepare him for his future.  

Noah answered a few questions for us to get a glance at his first year in the aviation department.  

What made you decide to attend PUC? 

I chose to come to PUC because it was close to my grandparents, so it gave me a close connection to home. Another reason was because PUC’s aviation program allowed me to pursue my aviation dreams and train in an environment that will prepare me well for my future career.

What has been your favorite class, and why? 

My favorite class is AVIA 176. This is the beginning flying class, where you will learn the basics of flying your airplane. This is my favorite class because it allows me to explore the areas around Angwin from a view that not many get to see. We get to travel to new areas and airports, such as Yolo County, Santa Rosa, and more. 

What do you like the most about the program? 

The part I love most about the program is how helpful and close-knit the Aviation community is. The instructors are extremely helpful and are always willing to help you with whatever you need, even if it’s not aviation related. Not only that but being in the program gets you great exposure to the aviation industry. 

What are some valuable things you’ve learned from your program? 

The most valuable thing that I have learned from this program is attention to detail. In aviation, 99% isn’t enough. You always want to make sure you give 100% to everything, not only to ensure safety but also proficiency.

Can you give any advice to high school students who are interested in pursuing your major? 

For anyone hoping to be in aviation, I would say be mentally prepared to dive into a lot of work and a very fast pace. The aviation program moves quickly, and there is a ton of information to learn in a short amount of time. Another thing that people should expect is cost. Earning your private license and other pilot ratings costs a lot of money. The average price for your private pilot’s license can range from $11,000 to $15,000. 

Outside of classes, what activities or events does the program hoat during the school year? 

There is an Aviation Club called Angwin Flyers. They host many outings such as dinners, movies, and other hangouts for students to participate in. 

What is your favorite thing about being in the Pioneers family? 

My favorite thing about being in the Pioneers family is the close-knit community. You get to know almost everyone here, and they are all extremely kind and friendly. It allowed me to gain new friends quickly and build new relationships. 

Academic Spotlight: Aviation

PUC’s aviation program is one of the most exciting we offer! The Flight Center at the Angwin Airport offers students the opportunity to receive a fully accredited four-year degree while taking advantage of our state of the art flight simulator and access to diverse airspace within the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay Area, truly making this a unique program.

Programs offered:

  • A.S. in Aviation
  • B.S. in Aviation
  • Minor in Aviation

A Student’s Perspective

“I chose to study aviation at PUC because I find something addictive about being in the air, a freedom, a peace, a quietness about being there. It’s almost as if the world beneath you stops. I want to have adventures in my life and I can get that from a career in aviation.” – Bryan Soderblom, graduate

You can also read the “From PUC to the Friendly Skies” blog post from Matthew Gheen, ’98, who graduated from the program and currently works as an airline pilot for United Airlines. In the post, he shares about his experience at PUC and his journey from tragedy to success.

Fast Facts

  1. PUC is one of only two four-year liberal arts colleges in California to offer a degree in aviation.
  2. Students can earn multiple certifications: pilot single-engine, private pilot multi-engine, instrument rating, commercial pilot single-engine, commercial pilot multi-engine, certified flight instructor (CFI), multi-engine instructor, and instrument instructor ratings.
  3. The Virgil O. Parrett Field, more commonly referred to as the Angwin Airport, is located on PUC’s campus, within walking distance of residence halls and other academic buildings, and has been in operation since 1961. On average, there are about 27 general aviation aircraft operations at the flight center each day—it’s a busy place!
  4. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for airline and commercial pilots in 2017 was approximately $111,930 per year. Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow about 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Most job opportunities will arise from the need to replace pilots who leave the workforce. Over the next 10 years, many pilots are expected to retire as they reach the required retirement age of 65.

What You Can Do With This Major

Here are some of the industries our pilots are flying for:

  • Cargo
  • Charter
  • Commercial
  • Agricultural
  • Aerial photography
  • Skydiving pilot
  • Sightseeing plane tours

Interested in a career in aviation? Check out our “Five Reasons to Consider Majoring in Aviation” blog post to see what your reason could be.

Learn more about the department of aviation at puc.edu/academics. Our team of admissions counselors can answer any questions you have about PUC’s aviation programs, or the other majors the college offers. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor now and start learning about all the options available to you!