BA Major • Minor
Aviation Missions
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Live out the Great Commission by reaching isolated people with the Gospel. Aviation missions work blends two high qualification vocations to touch souls in remote parts of the world. Geneva’s aviation missions program prepares students for the mission field with biblical, cross-cultural liberal arts education and skills in professional piloting or air traffic control.
Geneva prepares you to make a meaningful impact in your career, community and life.
Well-Traveled Professors
Bible professors experienced in overseas missions and multicultural ministry
State-of-the-Art
Partnership with top aviation program in CCBC’s aviation program offers real-world experience using state-of-the-art facilities
Two Degrees in One
Bachelor’s degree in Missions and an associate degree in either professional piloting or air traffic control
Key Courses
Aviation Meteorology
Learn about phenomena affecting aircraft, including temperature, pressure, moisture, and stability
Globalism and Multiculturalism
Study technology, instantaneous communication, politics, and international travel among isolated peoples
Aerodynamics
Analyze the physics of flight with basic principles of lift, drag, and compulsion
Cultural Perspectives for Missions
Examine cultures from anthropological and biblical perspectives and learn how to interact with people from different backgrounds
Experienced & Accomplished Faculty
Geneva College is a multifaceted institution dedicated to Christ-centered education in every course of study. That foundational Christianity provides a uniquely vibrant atmosphere in which our theological studies degree programs thrive.
The Bible Department practice a three-point pursuit in all their courses:
- academic excellence
- spiritual development
- practical ministry skills
Geneva's Bible department offers various study abroad trips including The Best of Israel Tour. The trip to Israel truly connects classroom curriculum and biblical knowledge with experiential learning.
"Not only will we read about the location of some of the stories of the Bible, but we'll actually visit them - so we'll see and feel these stories. Travelers have told me more than once, I'll never read the Bible the same way again." -Dr. Shidemantle
Students who complete the program will earn the following:
- Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts from Geneva College. Students can choose to pursue any major offered at Geneva College as part of the Aviation Program. Given student demand, Geneva College has established degrees of Bachelor of Science, Aviation Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts, Missions / Aviation for those pursuing the Aviation program, however students can choose from any major.
- Associate of Applied Science from Community College of Beaver County, with a focus in one of the following: Professional Pilot, Air Traffic Control, or Aerospace Management.
There are several variables which determine how long it will take a student to complete the program. The primary determinant is the number of credits required to complete the bachelor’s degree requirements at Geneva College. For example, the Aviation Business Administration and Missions / Aviation programs were established to be completed in four years (8 semesters).
However, if a student wanted to pursue Engineering, it would be more than four years to complete because the Engineering program has a greater number of required courses. Other variables include whether the student transferred in courses to meet the program requirements and/or pursued Summer classes.
- Apply and be accepted at Geneva College. Apply and be accepted at CCBC: https://www.ccbc.edu/admissions
- Pilot program students must pass a First-Class FAA Medical and ATC program students must pass a Second-Class FAA Medical with an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME): https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator
- For non-US citizens, the Department of Homeland Security also requires the successful completion of a TSA Security Threat Assessment: https://fts.tsa.dhs.gov/home/dod
- Please refer to additional admissions requirements on CCBC’s website: https://www.ccbc.edu/schools/school-aviation
Each student in the Aviation Program will have two academic advisors, and the students will meet with both advisors at least once each semester. Typically, students will first meet with their CCBC advisor each semester to plan their Aviation coursework for the subsequent semester.
The student will then meet with their Geneva College advisor to plan out the Geneva College courses. The Geneva College advisor works with the students to provide 2 to 3 blocks of free time each semester, whether morning or afternoon, so students have availability to put together a consistent flight training schedule with their flight school.
All Geneva College classes are held on the main campus in Beaver Falls, PA. Aviation courses and flight training are held at CCBC’s School of Aviation Sciences at the Beaver County Airport, which is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Geneva College campus, in Chippewa township.
Transportation is not offered by either college. Current students have their own car, commute with another aviation student, or take public transportation (Beaver County Transit Authority).
- Students will earn the following certifications / ratings in the Associate’s program at CCBC:
- Private Pilot License
- Instrument Rating Commercial Certificate
- Plus at least 2 of the following:
- Multi-Engine Rating
- Certified Flight Instructor – Airplane Rating
- Commercial Flight Instructor – Instrument Rating
An FAA-approved part-141 training program qualifies graduates meeting the FAA part-141 criteria for a restricted privileges Airline Transport Pilot certificate (R-ATP certificate). This R-ATP certificate reduces the age and flight hours required to serve as a first officer.
Comparatively, an ATP certificate (eligible for captain) requires the pilot to be at least 23 years of age and have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, with at least 500 cross-country hours. An R-ATP certificate (eligible for first officer or second-in-command) requires the pilot to be at least 21 years of age and have a minimum of 1,250 flight hours, with at least 200 cross-country hours.
Students will typically fly 250 hours in earning the five certifications. If the student is certified as a flight instructor, the student can earn additional hours through instructing.
Students can begin flying once aviation classes have begun. CCBC encourages students to begin flight training as soon as possible and maintain a consistent flight schedule throughout each semester.
There are several flight schools at the Beaver County Airport, however neither CCBC nor Geneva will recommend a specific school. We encourage students to meet with the flight schools and find out about their hourly flight rate, the number of planes, the number of instructors, and the general availability & scheduling of flight time.
Students should choose carefully as students must continue with the same flight school through the duration of the Aviation program; otherwise the student would be required to repeat certain flight hours.
If a student has their private pilot’s license prior to matriculation at CCBC, the student can begin with the second phase, instrument rating.
Yes! The majority of our dual-degree students participate in a varsity sport. Currently, professional pilot program students participate in football, soccer, and track & field.
The bottom line is you don’t have to miss out on activities and community events on Geneva’s campus. While you are taking classes at CCBC, you are a student at Geneva. Whether you are a resident student on Geneva’s campus or if you are a commuter, you have full access to the community and the events that happen on campus. You should take full advantage of campus events as often as your schedule permits.
While you are enrolled in the Aviation program you’ll be taking classes at Geneva and CCBC each semester. While courses at CCBC are not taught from a Christian perspective, Geneva’s courses will include the Christian perspective and faith integration.
Yes. When you schedule your campus visit with Geneva, mention that you would like to visit the Beaver County Airport. The Admission staff will assist in making arrangements for your tour.
- All tuition, fees, room & board is billed through Geneva College. If a student is taking 12 to 18 credits hours a semester, with no more than 10 of those credits at CCBC each semester, Geneva College’s flat full-time tuition rate will apply. If a student takes more than 10 credits at CCBC in a semester, an additional rate per hour may be charged. It is anticipated that students will take classes at Geneva College and CCBC for the first 3 years. However, students can choose to take a semester of solely Geneva College classes or solely CCBC classes, the latter would be at an additional tuition cost as noted above.
- For the pilot program, flight training costs are in addition to the above and are paid directly to the flight school. Funds must be in the student account at the flight school prior to flying. The estimate for flight training is $50,000 to $60,000 for the two-year program. As noted earlier, the two-year program includes five certifications / ratings and approximately 250 flying hours.
- Financial aid is available for tuition, fees, room, and board expenses. This includes Geneva College, federal, and state scholarships, grants and/or loans for which the student is eligible.
- Flight training costs are considered nonbillable indirect expenses within the cost of attendance for financial aid purposes, meaning a student can utilize lending options or private scholarships up to the maximum cost of attendance. The Office of Financial Aid coordinates with CCBC to determine average flight costs per associated courses and county status of the student.
- Students typically use savings, private scholarships, loans, etc. to pay for their flight training.
Aviation programs are not approved programs by the VA, so benefit chapters of the GI Bill® and Tuition Assistance through Department of Defense cannot be certified to pay for the Aviation program. Students utilizing Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance or Military Family Education programs are eligible to use this funding in the Aviation program.
A 529 plan can only be used for qualified educational expenses. We recommend contacting the company who manages your plan.
All tuition, fees, room, & board charges are billed by Geneva. Your payments will also be made directly to Geneva. Flight costs are bill and paid for separately at the flight school.
Christen Adels, Professor of Business, is the Geneva College faculty liaison with CCBC. She can be reached at (724) 847-6658 or csadels@geneva.edu.
(Subject to change. Information is current as of January 2025)
Career Outcomes
Graduates who aspire to have an impact in their communities and their careers through a Geneva Education gain expertise in this field enhanced by academics rooted in Christian values and ethics in Geneva’s program.
13%
Growth in airline and commercial pilots positions from 2020 to 2030
Study abroad with Geneva professors at Jerusalem University College.
“I definitely think there is uniqueness to my major. I have been able to pair two things that I love—flying and serving—and I'm being equipped to take my passions and go out and serve the world.” -Ian Minnick, Aviation / Missions graduate Aviation
Be prepared for careers such as...
-
Missionary Aviator
- Airframe and Power plant Mechanic
-
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
- Airport Analyst
Further your impact...
-
Serve in church or para-church organizations, with relief agencies, or within non-government organizations
-
Receive your master’s in Biblical Studies
- Continue your education and experience by pursuing licensure as an airplane technician
Tell Me More
Discover more about our Aviation Missions program
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