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What is Aviation Logistics?

What is “Aviation Logistics?” Air transportation provides critical capabilities for a modern economy. Whether it involves passengers or cargo, the ability to quickly and reliably move valuable resources over great distances improves the quality of life and standard of living of people across the globe. While you may be more familiar with the term “aviation” than “logistics,” you observe logistics in action any time you travel or purchase a product.

The field of aviation logistics is so large that almost any business organization may be viewed as a potential employer for a logistics graduate. The types of businesses and organizations most likely to employ logistics managers include communication, consulting, government and military, manufacturing, material handling, merchandising, retail, software and computer service, telecommunications, and transportation firms, equipment manufacturers and dealers, print media, public warehouses and wholesale distributors.

Those firms specializing in the movement of goods and people by air, and the large numbers of companies that support them, represent the area of aviation logistics. Opportunities for careers worldwide abound as international corporations tend to hire a large number of graduates.

Pilots- TCC Partnership

UNT and TCC entered into an agreement to make the transfer of undergraduate credits from TCC's aviation degree programs, both pilot and mechanic, into the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science (BAAS) degree plan. The agreement makes it possible for the TCC graduates to finish a four (4) year degree in just two (2) more years at UNT with a BAAS degree in Aviation Operations. Airlines prefer their pilots to have a four-year degree, so this agreement meets that objective and makes the program graduate more attractive in the hiring process.

Where The Jobs Are

The field of aviation logistics is so large that almost any business organization that moves people or cargo through the air, and those companies that support them, may be viewed as a potential employer of the aviation logistics manager. Remember, any company that is involved in the movement of a product is involved with the logistics function. Service firms rely upon many logistics functions, as well.

Possible Employers

The type of businesses and organizations that are most likely to employ aviation logistics managers are:

  • Aircraft manufacturing firms
  • Aerospace equipment manufacturing firms
  • Airport authorities
  • Transportation firms
  • Material handling, equipment manufacturers and dealers
  • Universities and flight schools (professors/instructors)
  • Aviation communications/electronic equipment
  • Government/military
  • Aerospace/aviation software/computer service firms
  • Management/executive recruiting firms
  • Air freight/distributors
  • Telecommunications and other service firms
  • Retail sales firms

Salaries

Many different types of jobs are available in the field of aviation and logistics! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes many different categories of “flight crew” jobs (working in the airplane) and over 100 specific (in 20 categories) aviation logistics jobs on the ground. Out of the 495,610 jobs classified under Air Transportation, pilots, copilots, and flight engineers combined represent only around 15% of the total.

As a graduating senior, you can expect entry-level salaries to range from $58,000 to over $96,000 a year. Variables that will affect your beginning salary level include geographic region, educational background, the general state of the economy, the supply of graduates available, related experience, internship, and, last but not least, the ability to "sell" yourself.

Aviation Logistics Program/Curriculum

Logistics management and aviation are two of the most crucial areas of growth in companies throughout Texas and the United States. NAFTA, Alliance Airport, Love Field, and the expansion of D/FW International Airport make the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex a major force in the aviation logistics field. Texas boasts the nation's largest air and road network, and hundreds of aviation logistics-related businesses are located in the region. One of the nation's largest passenger airports, a dedicated freight airport, several regional/reliever airports, and close to a hundred additional airfields are located in north Texas. An outstanding highway infrastructure makes the metroplex tops in trucking: over 500 motor carriers operate out of the area. Seven of the nation's top freight rail lines operate in the metroplex. Two major airlines, several feeder & charter operators, and the two largest air freight companies are headquartered or have an operational presence in the area. When it comes to aviation, distribution, transportation, and logistics services, the D/FW metroplex takes a back seat to none.

The D/FW Roundtable of the CSCMP, the North Texas Commission Logistics Committee, and numerous companies were consulted in the development of the program. These organizations have committed to providing support for student scholarships, faculty development, internships, field projects, and job placement for graduates.

The professional field in Aviation Logistics consists of 30 hours of coursework, including an internship. Some required aviation logistics professional field courses include (but are not limited to):

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Introduction to the Aviation Industry
  • Air Passenger Planning and Control
  • Safety Management Systems

Students are required to select 9 hours of approved upper-level logistics or business courses as supporting courses. Students are encouraged to select courses that strengthen a career focus.