Take to the skies with a hands-on, affordable aviation education program. Ozarks Technical Community College, Premier Flight Center, and the Springfield-Branson National Airport partnered together to provide this unique learning experience for students to soar into high-demand and high-paying jobs.
Aviation Associate Degree
Learn the basic and advanced skills required to pursue a commercial pilot license in this immersive program. Gain industry knowledge with ground school classes taught by OTC instructors at the OTC Springfield Campus. Then, take to the skies with Premier Flight Center LLC. Trained Premier pilots will help get you off the ground with one-on-one flight lessons at an innovative facility located at the former Springfield-Branson National Airport terminal, 5000 W. Kearney St., Suite 110.
During one-on-one flight labs, Aviation students fly during daylight hours, two hours per day, three days per week for 16 weeks. Classes include Airline Operations, Aviation Weather, Air Traffic Control System, Commercial Pilot Flight Lab, and more. View the course sequence. Upon completion, students receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Flight technology and will have a private pilot’s license, instrument rating, and a commercial pilot’s license.
Our flight courses occur at a TSA-secured airport. You will need to present a valid driver’s license or government photo ID, a valid Birth Certificate with the raised seal [a copy will not work], or Passport before you can participate. This clearance can occur at our flight center or the orientation we hold before the start of the semester.
Low Cost, High Reward
Students will be charged the regular OTC Tier III tuition rate for ground school classes, which is $136 per credit hour for in-district students for the 2022-2023 school year. Hands-on flight labs will cost approximately $9,000 per flight lab course, with all four totaling close to $58,000.
With a Commercial Pilot Certificate, students can begin their professional pilot career in various operations such as Aerial photography/imagery, Aerial tours, Aerial application (crop dusting), Sky Diving Pilot, Charter Pilot, etc.
Students also have the option to take elective courses to earn a Multiengine rating or become a Certified Flight Instructor, providing even more job opportunities.
Soar Into a Bachelor’s Degree at Drury or Missouri State
If you’re looking to fly for an airline, OTC Aviation students have a direct route to a required bachelor’s degree. Thanks to partnerships with Drury and Missouri State, OTC’s aviation program graduates can seamlessly transfer into Missouri State’s general studies bachelor’s degree program or two different programs at Drury University. Students wishing to fly for a major airline need a four-year degree, one you can earn while logging 1,500 hours of flight time to earn an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data relevant to the Aviation program:
- Average (median) Missouri Salary: $66,820
- Careers associated with the Aviation program (based on its CIP code of 49.0102):
- Commercial Pilots
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Accreditation Information
The OTC Aviation program began in fall 2017. Due to its recent program launch, OTC currently does not have data for a graduate survey related to the OTC Aviation program. Through our Flight Provider, the program is recognized by the FAA as a Part 141 regulated flight school reducing the flight hour requirements in order to earn Commercial Pilot Certification. We are currently working on earning FAA approval to offer restricted airline transport pilot (R-ATP) certification.
Aviation Mission Statement
The mission of the aviation flight technology program at Ozarks Technical Community College is to provide accessible, high quality and affordable learning opportunities that provide the best training possible for demanding careers in aviation.
Want More Information?
Come to an Information Session! These are excellent opportunities to learn more about the OTC Pilot Program, requirements and costs, the path to becoming a professional pilot, as well a great opportunity to ask questions.
See the Schedule for Information Sessions this Semester under the page called Student Checklist