Aviation management: Everything you need to know

Positions in aviation management have a lot to offer, including a combination of responsibility, a varied workday, fantastic employee benefits, and competitive income. However, it can be difficult to get started in such a position. You can discover a helpful guide to starting a career as an aviation manager right here.

Getting to Know the Aviation Industry

One of the most difficult yet intriguing occupations in any business is aviation management. Aviation management may be the perfect career for you if you want a job that provides you with a lot of responsibility, a dynamic work atmosphere, and wonderful rewards like really good pay. Obviously, it is not a career for everyone.

What is Aviation Management?

Aviation management is a department responsible for coordinating operations at an airport, airline, or other businesses in the aviation field.

Professionals in this department specialize in a variety of areas, including flight logistics, aircraft maintenance, customer service, and airline marketing. To succeed in this sector of work, candidates need to possess excellent analytical and leadership abilities.

Aviation management, to put it simply, is the process of managing any company that is involved in developing and providing goods and services to the aviation sector.

What is an aviation management degree?

The primary route into a profession in aviation management is the completion of a degree program. A good aviation management degree will provide you with the skills you need to deal with the different aspects of an aviation management career involves. Business, operations planning and execution, resource management, and so-called soft skills to motivate individuals to work toward organizational goals are a few of these elements.

Any aviation management degree is intended to provide you with a thorough overview and general understanding of the aviation industry as well as the technical know-how necessary to launch your aviation career in any of the sectors that fall under its purview or even as a leader in any other industry.

What to expect from an aviation management degree program?

Aviation management degree programs can be divided into two categories depending on the level of the studies. These result in Bachelor's degree and Master's degree programs or MBA programs. Let's take a look at each successively.

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management

It goes without saying that enrolling in a Bachelor's degree program is the best start if you are starting your academic career.
While a Bachelor's degree program will mostly cover aviation management courses regarding areas like air traffic control, aviation safety, and airport management, you can also expect this type of program to require some knowledge in basic sciences and technologies like mathematics and I.T.
Besides, you can expect your Bachelor's degree program to teach you about business administration and other management skills, such as how major airlines and aircraft manufacturers operate, since the main focus will be applying all knowledge and skills to crucial aspects of the aviation industry and management.
Some courses will even provide some flight training or an air traffic control specialization. The best programs will allow you to complete your studies with internships at the most prestigious businesses in your field.

Master’s Degree or MBA in Aviation Management

An MBA and a master's degree are quite similar, yet they are not identical. Both are graduate-level courses, but an MBA differs from them in that it is a program that concentrates and places even more emphasis on the business administration parts. You typically need to have completed aviation-related coursework or have professional experience to be admitted to one of these programs.

This said, both options are a great way to take your management skills to the next level after completing a previous aviation management degree. As with aviation majors, you can anticipate that these programs will go into greater detail and complicated information while still covering all the crucial facets of air travel and aviation management.

Due to the fact that these programs are more specialized, you will likely be requested to select an area of expertise within aviation management, which means your courses in aviation management will have a distinct focus on the topic you select. The most typical regions are:

• Air traffic control
• Airport management
• Safety management
• Aircraft manufacturing
• Airline operations
• Cargo transport operations
• Airport consulting
• Aviation maintenance

Career Requirements

If you have an interest in the aviation field, here are the requirements to meet before applying to open positions:

Education

The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor of aviation management degree. A bachelor of science in aviation business administration or a bachelor of aviation management are two options for you to consider. The degree normally requires three to five years for students to finish, during which time they study technology, business management, and human factors as they relate to aviation. Regular courses consist of:

• Financial Accounting
• Community Service
• Business Statistics
• Organizational Behaviour
• Business Law
• Environmental Studies
• Cargo Handling
• Airport Functions of Airlines
• Business Economics
• Human Resource Management
• Research Methodology and Report Writing
• Aviation Marketing
• Customer Relationship Management

To become specialized in a particular field, such as human resources, marketing, or security, some people may obtain a master's degree. Your work prospects may improve and you may have an advantage over other job hopefuls if you have a graduate degree.

Training

Depending on how you want to specialize with your degree, you can obtain a variety of training while earning your degree. You might, for instance, learn about flying safety and procedures when doing flight training. Some courses include practical training in repairing and installing components and devices as well as maintenance of aviation systems. This gives you a well-rounded education that may help you succeed when handling aviation management tasks like operations, security, maintenance, or other related areas.

Certification

You can become accredited as an Accredited Airport Executive after obtaining a degree and completing the required training (AAE). If you have up to eight years of experience in aviation management, you can become certified without a degree.

Experience

In order to qualify for managerial positions, it's crucial to have field experience. Obtaining a career in aviation administration is beneficial to observe those in management and gain practical experience in maintaining flight safety and managing staff and operations. Think about positions in accounting, security, or human resources. You can get experience working in these divisions to become an airport operation, security, or financial manager.

You can expand your network and develop connections professionally by working in administration or as a mid-level manager in the aviation industry and find out about employment prospects and stay up to date with market trends or advances; it can be helpful to have a professional network. You may find a mentor through networking. You can get career advice and professional development from a mentor.

Skills

Professionals in aviation management need a combination of hard and soft skills, such as maintaining computer systems and communication skills. While obtaining a degree, you can grow your talents in workshops with mentors and practice. 

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities make it simple to convey instructions and thoughts to others. Ensure safe travel; aviation jobs require communication between departments and, in particular, with air traffic controllers, pilots, and passengers.
• Critical thinking: This ability helps recognize and foresee potential issues with aircraft, security, or other aviation operations. Making the finest decisions possible is made possible by the use of critical thinking.
• Customer service: Since many occupations in aviation include commercial flight, it's critical to be able to treat passengers with respect. In order for passengers to enjoy their travel, this involves addressing problems, responding to inquiries, and providing reassurance and specialized services.
• Leadership: In order to inspire employees to listen to and follow instructions, managers must have the capacity to give direction and have traits like integrity. It's crucial to be able to manage big tasks and keep an eye on both operations and staff.
• Problem-solving: The ability to solve problems is crucial for leaders who. In the aviation industry, managers frequently troubleshoot problems and develop solutions to maintain schedules and equipment.
• Stress management: Professionals in aviation management handle many responsibilities and one priority is flight safety. It's essential to remain calm in stressful situations and manage emergencies or issues to protect passengers and the airport staff.
• Teamwork: Managers and other staff members have to collaborate to assure task completion and maintain or carry out all necessary activities to achieve flight, among other goals, in order for operations to run smoothly at an aviation facility. The capacity for cooperation and collaboration with others aids in achieving the organization's goals.
• Time management: To guarantee aviation safety, aircraft fly operates on a set schedule. An aircraft facility can ensure safety, efficiency, and production by having the ability to make and follow these schedules.

What jobs can you get with an aviation management degree?

With a degree in hand, what aviation management jobs can you get?

1. Airline Manager

As an airline manager, you will be responsible for ensuring that airport operations comply with federal rules and regulations. They also oversee an airport and its departments to ensure that they run efficiently and safely. 

Moreover, you will be in charge of the following activities:

• Assigning tasks or activities to the staff;
• Ensuring aircraft flight logs and maintenance records are correct;
• Keeping up-to-date with airline technical operations, trends and MRO market status;
• Evaluating or improving practices and procedures required to accomplish department objectives;
• Evaluating MRO-related projects;
• Identifying plans for cost reduction in engineering and maintenance;
• Providing technical guidance for aircraft installation, maintenance and modification;
• Managing airline baggage handling systems and operation.

2. Air Traffic Controller

A controller of air traffic supervises the movement of aircraft both in the air and on the ground. They control takeoffs and landings to guarantee safety. Radar can be used to track flying aircraft and approve adjustments to the flight path. To schedule flights, air traffic controllers talk to officials at neighboring airports. To protect the safety, they also provide pilots with weather updates and support in case of an emergency.

3. Airline Station Manager

An airline station manager helps the operations manager ensure that the daily operations run smoothly. They work for airlines rather than individual airports. Station managers oversee staff, aircraft maintenance, flight schedule and the handling of cargo. They also manage the budget.

4. Airport Manager

As an airport manager, you will participate in decision-making regarding airport operations and be in charge of developing the policies and best practices necessary to ensure an efficient and secure operation while ensuring the safety of all personnel, visitors, and any other parties involved in those operations.

The duties associated with airport management may change depending on the size of the airport. This said, common daily tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Complying with FAA regulations and other guidelines;
• Supervising managers and staff;
• Planning budgets;
• Adapting operations to external factors such as weather;
• Working with community leaders;
• Maintaining accurate records;
• Overseeing the maintenance and repair of airport equipment.

5. Systems Administrator

A systems administrator is an information technology expert who maintains computer systems. They help the operation of hardware, web servers, email, operating systems, business applications, security tools, and business apps. Additionally, a systems administrator is in charge of setting up software, starting updates, and resolving problems with any computer system.

6. Airport Operations Manager

At an airport, the operations manager is in charge of all departments and makes sure that everything runs properly. This entails managing the workforce as well as supervising the operation of the facilities and equipment. A manager of operations also makes sure that procedures are legal. Additionally, they uphold security and safety protocols and assess processes to make sure they are current.

7. Business Manager

A business manager makes strategies for growth. They are in charge of all staff hiring and training. They create organizational goals and formulate tactics to accomplish those goals. Business managers in the aviation industry establish and maintain connections with suppliers of flight comforts, manufacturers of aircraft, and other airports. They also designate leaders to oversee various facets of the company, such as the budget, and they monitor goal progress.

8. Airport Security Manager

Airport security managers lead the security department. At the airport, security precautions are kept up. They also create strategies for emergencies and evacuations. Managers of airport security keep an eye on surveillance every day and fix security equipment as necessary.

What is an aviation management salary?

Salary levels differ between organizations and between sectors in every industry. Moreover, the pay you receive will rely on a variety of criteria given the large range of aviation management professions available. However, we'll do our best to offer you a basic notion of what an aviation management salary entails. 

The annual average income for aviation management is $74,576. You might make a lot more or a lot less money because this is merely an average of some of the employment in the area.

For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2020, the average pay for an airport manager was $98,890, while the average pay for an air traffic controller was $130,420.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that 10% of air traffic controllers made $72,760, which is significantly less than the amount previously cited.

To boost your chances of receiving a pay raise as you advance in roles, you need to make sure you are properly prepared and begin accumulating the always-desired experience.

Having an interest in aviation management?

As you can see, aviation management is personnel who oversee all aspects of the operations at an airport or other business in the aviation field. Strong leadership abilities and an in-depth understanding of aviation technology are prerequisites for this career.

Keep updated with us!

This is just the beginning. Since the current digital world keeps changing, we are planning to keep it updated for the future of aviation as well as make sure to bring news about the most innovative technologies being applied. 

If you want more information about any industries, we invite you to visit our blog. Of course, if you still have any doubts or would like to talk to us personally, do not hesitate to contact us, we’ll be glad to meet you and give you the clearest answers.