Exploring the Interest of Non-Aviation Technology Students in Pursuing Pilot Ground Course

The increasing demand for aviation professionals has created opportunities for individuals from diverse academic backgrounds to pursue alternative pathways into the aviation industry. This study explored the interest of second-year non-aviation technology students at Indiana Aerospace University in pursuing a non-degree Pilot Ground Course during the Academic Year 2025–2026. Specifically, it examined students' level of interest in terms of career opportunities and industry demand, skills and personal development, and passion, interest, and global exposure. It also identified the major challenges influencing their decision to pursue pilot ground training and proposed an institutional action plan based on the findings. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed involving 100 randomly selected second-year non-aviation technology students. Data were collected using a researcher-developed, validated questionnaire administered through face-to-face surveys. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and ranking. Results revealed that respondents generally expressed a positive interest in pursuing a Pilot Ground Course. Among the three dimensions, passion, interest, and global exposure obtained the highest level of agreement, followed by skills, personal development, career opportunities, and industry demand. However, respondents also identified several concerns that may discourage enrollment, including limited employment opportunities for pilot ground course completers, fluctuating industry demand, perceived barriers for non-aviation graduates, uncertainty regarding long-term career stability, and concerns about the transferability of aviation-related skills. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening career development initiatives through industry partnerships, career seminars, mentorship programs, skills enhancement workshops, and career counseling to improve students' awareness of aviation opportunities and support more inclusive pathways for non-aviation students seeking careers in the aviation industry.