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 type 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.
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
Career Paths
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. Some career areas in aviation logistics and associated salaries:
| Airline Pilot, Co-Pilot, Flight Engineer | $120,840 |
| Commercial Pilot | $85,100 |
| Airport Chief Executive | $156,310 |
| Transportation Manager | $90,040 |
| Airport Operations Manager | $101,080 |
| Logistician | $53,340 |
| Purchasing Manager | $90,880 |
| Cargo/Freight Agent | $37,740 |
| Maintenance Supervisor | $69,400 |
| Dispatcher | $51,800 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $98,280 |
| Cargo Handling Supervisor | $42,580 |
As a graduating senior, you can expect entry level salaries to range from $35,000 to over $55,000 a year. Variables which 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 nations 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 provide support for student scholarships, faculty development, internships, field projects, and job placement for graduates.
The University core curriculum consists of 42 hours. College of Business foundation and pre-business courses total 39 hours. The professional field in Aviation Logistics rounds out the program with 39 hours of course work including an internship. Multiple scholarships up to $1,000 per semester are available.
Professional Field in Aviation Logistics
Please view the courses for the Professional Field in Logistics on the Undergraduate Advising Site.
