Henderson State offers the state's only public bachelor's degree in aviation & provides commercial pilot training
Arkansas Aviation Academy
Flying High at Henderson
Henderson State’s Department of Aviation is Arkansas’s only public university program that offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree specifically in aviation. We prepare students for the professional aviation workplace.
- The Professional Pilot Track provides students with zero flight experience with the education and flight training required to become a professional pilot for an airline or corporation.
- The Aviation Management Track is for students interested in working at the management level in the aviation industry without being a commercial pilot.
- Henderson State’s Department of Aviation operates as a Part 141 flight school and expedites the path to becoming a professional pilot by handling check-off rides for private, instrument, and commercial pilot certifications in-house, upon successful completion of flight training. Henderson State was granted examination authority by the Federal Aviation Administration in August 2025.
Hallmarks of our Program
- Private and Commercial Pilot Certificates
- Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings
- Flight Instructor Certificate
- Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Qualification
- Drone Certificate
- Highly Experienced Faculty
Career Opportunities
- Airline Pilot
- Corporate Pilot
- Air Traffic Controller
- Airline Dispatcher
- Airline Management
- Airport Management
- Fixed Base Operations Management
Online Aviation Management MBA
Elevate your qualifications as a leader in high demand by earning your Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Aviation Management online from Henderson State University. In this AACSB-accredited online MBA program, you will examine airport management techniques, aviation regulations and current issues, as well as future trends related to airport operations.
Taught by some of the most highly experienced faculty members in Arkansas, many of whom hold Ph.D.s, our rigorous curriculum is designed to help you develop both effective leadership and analytical skills to achieve organizational objectives. Learn to navigate evidence-based management and analytics, economic analysis for managerial decisions, strategic information systems, and more. With 7-week courses and multiple entry points a year, you can earn your degree conveniently in as few as 14 months.
Pilot Training for Non-Enrolled Students
The Arkansas Aviation Academy provides training for pilots who are not enrolled as Henderson students but are seeking credentials to become commercial pilots. These changes were recently approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. For more information, email aviation@hsu.edu.
Get your Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On Rating in 4-5 training flights. The course can be completed in 5 training days with your checkride scheduled soon after course completion, depending on the weather and Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) availability. Typically your checkride will be reserved before your start the course so when you are scheduled to begin your training, your checkride will be within a few days upon completing the course.
Henderson Aviation
Featuring a bachelor’s degree in aviation, and MBA in aviation management and the Arkansas Aviation Academy.
Learn More & Engage
Henderson Introduces Arkansas Aviation Academy as Expanded Program for Pilots
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Arkansas Aviation Academy at Henderson Receives FAA Examining Authority Authorization
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