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Flight Instructor Pilot (Helicopter)
The Flight Instructor Pilot (FIP) program is a two-year (5 semester) Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program. This is a comprehensive program of study that has been specifically designed to take students with no aviation experience through their FAA Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor qualifications.
Most students, upon graduation, enter the job market as a helicopter flight instructor. Obtaining employment as a flight instructor will allow the graduate to utilize the skills and knowledge they gained as a student in the FIP program in order to teach others and build valuable pilot in command experience.
All classes in the FIP program, including flight classes, are taught by Dodge City Community College (DCCC) faculty at the DCCC location in Chandler, AZ. The goal in developing the FIP program has been to design the best helicopter training program in the United States. In doing so, the College has consulted with and continues to work closely with some of the most experienced helicopter flight training organizations in the world. These relationships have not only benefited course development, but have also helped give program graduates an advantage in job placement and career development within the helicopter industry.
Program Information
About Program (Skills)
In addition to the core and general education courses that make up this degree program, the DCCC Flight Instructor Program includes the training required for the following FAA Pilot
Certificates and FAA pilot ratings:
- Private Pilot Certificate – Helicopter
- Instrument Rating – Helicopter
- Commercial Pilot Certificate – Helicopter
- Certified Flight Instructor – Helicopter
- Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument Helicopter
Career Options
Graduates of the Flight Instructor Pilot (Helicopter) Program will be able to pursue exciting careers in fields such as:
- Flight instruction
- Helicopter air tours
- Firefighting
- Law enforcement/Search & rescue
- Air ambulance/EMS
- Corporate transportation
- Electronic news gathering
- Oil/Gas offshore operations
- Aerial surveillance/photography
- External loads/construction
- Military
2 years (62 credits)
Associate of Applied Science
Tuition
$60*/per credit hour
Fees
$125**/per credit hour
Books
All materials are included
Other Program Fees
$142,758***
* This rate applies to residents outside of Ford County. The Ford County resident rate is $30/per credit hour. International rate is $80/per credit hour.
** Online Courses have an additional $10/per credit hour fee
*** This includes all flight hours, testing fees, etc. for the program
Tuition and fees are subject to change
Fall
Spring
Summer
Students may start this program at the beginning of fall, spring, or summer semester.
Job Outlook*6% Growth
Annual Median Salary*$113,080
*As of August 2025
Arizona Location
Office/Classroom Building:
3150 S. Gilbert Rd. Suite 5
Chandler, Arizona 85286
Heliport/Classroom:
2401 S. Heliport Way
Chandler, Arizona 85286
Faculty
Daniel Hernandez
Chief Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Flight Instructors
Antonia Land
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Chase Gillespie
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Cody Gibbony
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Dillon Reynolds
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Emma Carlisle
Certified Flight Instructor
Eric Willett
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Ezra Keller
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Jordan King
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Marcus Pruitt
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Nathan McCarthy
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Sean Edwards
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Sean Heiken
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Tim Brennan
Certified Flight Instructor
M.S. – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Tyler Gregory
Certified Flight Instructor
A.A.S. – Dodge City Community College
Degree Plan
Year 1
Semester 1 (12 Credit Hours):
- FIP 110 – Private Pilot Ground – 4 Credits
- FIP 210 – Private Pilot Certification Flight – 3 Credits
- MET 105 – Introductory Meteorology T→ – 5 Credits
Semester 2 (12 Credit Hours):
- FIP 125 – Instrument Pilot Ground – 4 Credits
- FIP 225 – Instrument Pilot Rating Flight – 2 Credits
- FIP 101 – Survey of Aviation Science – 3 Credits
- ENG 102/104 – English Composition I T→ – 3 Credits
Semester 3 (12 Credit Hours):
- FIP 115 – Commercial Pilot Ground Phase I – 4 Credits
- FIP 215 – Commercial Pilot Flight Phase I – 2 Credits
- FIP 102 – Air Transportation Management – 3 Credits
- MATH 101/104 – Modern College Math T→ – 3 Credits
Year 2
Semester 4 (12 Credit Hours):
- FIP 135 – Certified Flight Instructor Ground – 4 Credits
- FIP 235 – Certified Flight Instructor Flight – 2 Credits
- FIP 105 – Theory of Instruction – 3 Credits
- HLTH 101 – First Aid T→ – 3 Credits
Semester 5 (14 Credit Hours):
- FIP 140 – Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Ground – 4 Credits
- FIP 240 – Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Flight – 1 Credits
- BUS 149 – Human Relations – 3 Credits
- PSY 101 – General Psychology T→ – 3 Credits
- SP 106 – Public Speaking T→ – 3 Credits
Key
T→ Kansas Systemwide Transfer Course