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Welcome to Life at CAU

More than just a flight school, California Aeronautical University is an aviation community. We’re passionate about aviation and helping the next generation reach their aviation aspirations.

You’ll find us at local air shows, supporting our Flight Team at SAFECON nationals, and celebrating our graduates as they start careers on the flight deck of major airlines, like Delta and United.

See what it’s like to live, learn, and fly as a CAU student.

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Take a Look Around

CAU students come from all walks of life and they usually share one thing in common: a passion for aviation. Some come to CAU straight out of high school, some come after serving in the U.S. military, and others come after they’ve started careers in other fields – all united by the drive to pursue a future in aviation. Whether they’re training to become a commercial pilot, aircraft maintenance technician, or aviation business professional, our students are hard-working and dedicated to reaching their goals.

Explore their stories and see what it’s like to be part of the CAU community.

Student Spotlight

Brycen grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his passion for aviation was sparked by his father, a Honolulu police officer who often worked with helicopter pilots. Seeing aviation up close inspired Brycen to realize that a career in flying wasn’t just possible—it offered a lifestyle that would allow him to travel the world.

"I really wanted the security of having a degree where I could get a 500-hour reduction"

Student Achievements

Recognitions and Awards

We’re proud of our students for the dedication they show in pursuing their futures. From top finishes at national flight competitions to leadership recognition, many go above and beyond during their time at CAU.

1st Place
Power-Off Landing
NIFA SAFECON Flight Competition

Elected
Student Representative
NIFA Council

NIFA Council Student Representative - CAU

CAU Student Elected as NIFA Council Student Representative

California Aeronautical University is proud to announce University student and Flight Team member Jacaree Louis was recently elected as this year’s National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Council Student Representative. Elected...

1st Female
Flight Mechanic Team
Kern County Sheriff’s Office

Graduate Earns Distinction From CAU - CAU

Graduate Earns Distinction From CAU

First Woman Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) The challenges of finding qualified aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) have accelerated over the last decade, making it difficult to fulfill the much-needed demand in the aviation industry.* In this male-dominated...

Alumni Success

Our graduates are making their mark in the aviation industry. From the flight decks of major airlines to leadership roles in maintenance and business, CAU alumni are living proof of where a CAU education can take you.

Commercial Pilot Career Paths

Becoming a commercial pilot means getting paid to fly – and there are many commercial pilot career paths to choose from! While the term “commercial pilot” often brings up images of airline pilots, commercial pilots are just pilots who have earned a commercial pilot certificate and can legally fly aircraft in exchange for money. Airline pilots are one type of commercial pilot, but there are many others to consider when looking at pilot careers.

The Benefits of Airline Cadet Programs - CAU

Transportation & Infrastructure

The world moves people and products through many forms of transportation – boats, trains, vehicles, and, of course, airplanes. The aviation industry provides a transportation network around the globe, impacting businesses and travel in every country. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), “aviation transports close to 2 billion passengers annually and 40% of interregional exports of goods (by value).”

And forty percent of the world’s tourists travel by airplane, according to ICAO.

We do this primarily through international and domestic cargo operations and airline operations. As possibly the world’s most essential industry, cargo pilot jobs and airline pilot jobs are abundant in this sector.

Popular Careers: Airline Pilot, Cargo Pilot

The Airline Pilot Career

While airline pilots are commercial pilots who provide varying types of transportation (see previous section), they are also required to obtain their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification in order to fly for an airline. A pilot who obtains a commercial pilot certificate through a standard flight training program typically has about 250 total flight hours. To obtain an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, one needs 1500 hours of various types of flight time. To bridge that gap between hour requirements, commercial pilots typically gain experience and hours through one of the other commercial pilot jobs above to qualify for an ATP certificate. You can think of the ATP certificate as a higher level of career training beyond commercial pilot training.

In addition to the ATP certificate, any aircraft over 12,500 pounds (max certificated takeoff weight) requires the pilot to have a type-specific rating for that aircraft, called a “type rating.” A Boeing 737 pilot, for example, requires an ATP certificate plus a Boeing 737 Type Rating, among other hiring requirements that may vary per airline.

Once an ATP certificate and any required type ratings are obtained, pilots usually fly first for a small charter company or regional airline before gaining the required experience for a major airline.

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Become An Airline Pilot

Lift off toward your future pilot career with training at CAU. Classes offered year round and start every 10 weeks.

Pilot Career Advancement

If you’re on the path to achievement, why stop at flying airplanes? The aviation industry needs pilots in advanced roles and managerial positions, too. Every company has advancement opportunities for those who wish to take their pilot career to the next level.

Many of these opportunities will require further education, including graduate level education and research, and/or extensive on-the-job experience.

Become A Pilot & Earn Your Degree