FAQ: General
Who qualifies for the Accredited Airport Executive Program?
A prospective Executive Candidate must:
*AAAE's definition for airport management is broad and inclusive. Anyone with active responsibility for the management or administration of a public airport is eligible to apply for an Affiliate membership in AAAE. Aside from airport managers and directors of operations, an assistant to an airport manager is also eligible; so is anyone who works in another capacity but whose responsibilities are related to the day-to-day operations of an airport (excluding employees of concessions, vendors, consulting firms, and construction companies, those who are not on the payroll of a public airport).
Can military experience be substituted to join the accreditation program?
No. The Accredited Airport Executive program is designed strictly for individuals actively working in public-use airports. However, if you are currently working in a public-use airport, and have, or are eligible for affiliate membership in AAAE, you may qualify for waiver of the one full year of full-time civil airport management experience requirement. Please submit a copy of your DD-214 and military I.D. to the accreditation department at accreditation@aaae.org. We will review the documents and will respond via e-mail to let you know how to proceed.
Otherwise, if you are not currently working in an airport and / or do not meet the qualifications for affiliate membership, you can qualify for other levels of membership and join the Certified Member program instead. Please click here for more details.
How much does the program cost?
In addition to yearly affiliate membership dues, the cost to join the Accreditation program is a one-time fee of $250.00. This fee includes registration, study materials (electronic format), and the examination fee (candidates who need to retake the exam will be assessed an additional $75.00 for each attempt).
How can I upgrade to the Accreditation Program?
Applicants who are already Certified Members or who are candidates in the Certified Member program can pay an upgrade fee of $50 to enroll in the Accreditation program, provided that they meet the pre-requisites. It is not a requirement to complete the Certified Member program before upgrading as long as the pre-requisites for joining the Accreditation program are met.
I am already a Certified Member (C.M.) Do I need to take another multiple-choice exam?
No. Provided that you meet all criteria for joining the Accreditation program, you may transfer successful completion of your AAAE multiple-choice examination. The multiple-choice examinations are identical in both programs. Once the enrollment fee is paid, you need to complete only the writing requirement and final interview to receive your A.A.E. designation.
When will I be notified about the results of my application to join the program?
Once your application is approved, you will receive an official notification letter and access to the electronic study materials via e-mail within three to five business days.
Are there any time limits after I register for the program?
No, there are no time limits, but there is an administrative fee of $100 if after five years you remain inactive in the program. The $100 fee will be applied for every year thereafter until you complete the accreditation process. Should you cancel your program enrollment or AAAE membership, or fail to pay the $100 administrative fee and wish to resume your program studies at a later date, a $250 reinstatement fee will be imposed.
How long does it take to complete the three phases of the accreditation program?
There are no specifics regarding how long it takes to complete the program as everyone's study habits and free time dictate how quickly one can complete the program. Other factors that impact the amount of time spent completing the program is one's individual knowledge and expertise of aviation, whether or not they have a master's degree and also completion of the multiple-choice exam at the Loretta Scott Accreditation / Certification Academy. Attending the academy could earn you the C.M. designation in one week if you successfully complete the exam. At that point, the candidate only has two remaining phases to complete, the writing and final interview. At best, the program could be completed in one year if the candidate devotes the appropriate amount of time and focus.
Will I receive a C.M. certificate after I pass the exam even though I'm enrolled in the A.A.E. program?
Yes, after you have passed the exam, AAAE will acknowledge you as a C.M. and will send you a certificate and lapel pin.
Are there any special benefits for new A.A.E.s?
Newly Accredited Airport Executives will receive a special A.A.E. pin immediately after completing the final interview. In addition, new A.A.E.'s will receive an engraved plaque, a golf shirt and a complimentary meeting voucher good for any AAAE meeting, training course or workshop, as well as recognition amongst other AAAE members through media-related announcements and releases.
Also, new A.A.E.'s are eligible for exclusive benefits such as voting privileges on AAAE matters, scholarships, and opportunities to serve on the various committees within AAAE.
Is the Accredited Airport Executive designation permanent?
Once you have earned the A.A.E. designation, it is yours to keep, provided that you:
(1) Maintain your executive membership in AAAE
(2) Stay employed in full-time public airport management
(3) Accrue 55 Continuing Education Units within a three-year cycle
If these qualifications are not met, you will become an Inactive A.A.E. As such, you will lose both your voting rights in AAAE and other A.A.E privileges. If you are inactive for less than three (3) years, you will need to provide proof of earning 55 CEUs before you are reinstated as an active A.A.E. If you are inactive for more than three (3) years, you will need to retake and pass the written exam AND provide proof of earning 55 CEUs, before you are reinstated as an active A.A.E. For more information on CEU requirements, please see the CEU FAQ.
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Does AAAE offer any meetings that will help me complete the phases of the accreditation program?
To assist candidates in completing the multiple-choice exam, AAAE and the South Central Chapter AAAE provide the opportunity for candidates to complete the program in a classroom environment at the Loretta Scott, A.A.E., Accreditation/Certification Academy. This week-long review course is held several times a year, with attendees completing the exam on the final day. After successful completion of the exam, candidates receive the C.M. designation.
To assist candidates in completing the final interview AAAE, in conjunction with the Southwest Chapter of AAAE, offers a one-day Final Interview Workshop one time per year at the F. Russell Hoyt National Airports Conference.
For all inquiries relating to the Accreditation program, including the academy and workshops, please contact the Accreditation Department at accreditation@aaae.org.
