Home • Industrial & Engineering Technology • Aviation Flight Technology
Aviation Program

Aviation Flight Technology

Prepare for a future in professional aviation.

See How You Can Afford It

2 Yrs. 65 Credit Hours
6 Semesters

$89,135 – $93,119*

Learn navigation systems and flight safety.

See How You Can Afford It

Aviation Flight Instructor Training

12 credit hours | 1 semester
$9,182 – $9,902*

Aviation Instrument Rating Flight Training

12 credit hours | 1 semester
$17,392 – $18,112*

Aviation Private Pilot Flight Training

10 credit hours | 1 semester
$17,596 – $18,196*

Prepare for a future in professional aviation.

See How You Can Afford It

2 Yrs. 65 Credit Hours
6 Semesters

$89,135 – $93,119*

Learn navigation systems and flight safety.

See How You Can Afford It

Aviation Flight Instructor Training

12 credit hours | 1 semester
$9,182 – $9,902*

Aviation Instrument Rating Flight Training

12 credit hours | 1 semester
$17,392 – $18,112*

Aviation Private Pilot Flight Training

10 credit hours | 1 semester
$17,596 – $18,196*

Start Your Career: By the Numbers

Review Complete Outcome Statistics For This Program
Apply To This Program
100%

Of 2023 grads were employed or continuing their education.
$53k

Average reported salary, 2023 grads.
100%

Of grads passed certification exams within 6 months of graduation.

Take to the Skies at Ozarks Tech!

Do you dream of flying planes? At Ozarks Tech, our Aviation Flight Technology program teaches you how to make those dreams take off!

In this program, you’ll learn about:

  • Determining performance values
  • Flight systems and how they work
  • How pilots and crew work together
  • Air traffic procedures
  • Government regulations for pilots

You’ll train in our aviation facility near the Springfield-Branson National Airport. With help from our experienced instructors, you’ll get hands-on flight training that will prepare you to take the FAA exams for private, instrument and commercial flying.

Program Information

Explore our accreditation information, find program contacts and learn more about how to apply to Ozarks Tech.

The Aviation program is a selective-admission program.

View Admission Information

General Admissions to Ozarks Tech

Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.

Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.

At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.

We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.

Accreditation

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more on OTC Accreditation.

Program Outcomes

View program outcomes

Kyle McKee
Aviation Department Chair
417-447-6655

Aviation Team

Looking for something a little different?

Check out similar programs that may be the right fit for you.

Aviation Airframe and Powerplant

Industrial & Engineering Programs

Find Your Community

Getting involved is a great way to build connections and find your community on campus. With a variety of clubs and organizations and campus events it’s easy to find your people.

Life at Ozarks Tech

Course Information

Discover overview information, course sequences and specific course descriptions. Or, view the full catalog to see all the details.

Aviation Flight Technology (A.A.S)

A.A.S. Degree: 65 Hours

The Aviation Flight Technology degree prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills of students who plan a career in the flying and/or navigation of commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue fixed-wing aircraft. Includes instruction in principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications, navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. In order to complete the program, students must successfully pass the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] Private, Commercial, and Instrument computer examinations.  The program leads to FAA certification as a commercial pilot with an instrument rating.  Persons wishing to be airline pilots will need to transfer to a 4-year program to complete an Airline Transport Certificate [ATP].

This program is selective admission and complies with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations.  Prior to registration, students must provide a valid driver’s license AND official birth certificate with raised seal OR a US Passport for Transportation Security Administration verification purposes; FAA Flight Physical.  Non-US citizens will need to undergo Transportation Security Administration (TSA) processing.

A grade of “C” or better is required for all Aviation Program required courses. 

Aviation Flight Technology Program Requirements – 44 Credit Hours

Aviation Flight Technology Program Requirements – 44 Credit Hours

General Education Requirements – 21 Credit Hours

General Education Requirements – 21 Credit Hours

The Missouri Department of Higher Education has identified a common set of general education courses that have been adopted statewide. These courses are called the “CORE 42.”  CORE 42 courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Missouri public college or university to satisfy general education requirements.

Courses in knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicates courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.

Courses that do not have this designation may still transfer to public and private colleges and universities in Missouri and elsewhere, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer to confirm.

Please refer to the MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.

Mathematical Sciences – 3 Credit Hours

Mathematical Sciences – 3 Credit Hours

Written Communications – 6 Credit Hours

Written Communications – 6 Credit Hours

Oral Communications – 3 Credit Hours

Oral Communications – 3 Credit Hours

Social and Behavioral Sciences – 3 Credit Hours

Social and Behavioral Sciences – 3 Credit Hours

PLS-101 is preferred.

Institutional Electives – 6 Credit Hours

Institutional Electives – 6 Credit Hours

Aviation Flight Instructor Training Certificate of Specialization

Certificate of Specialization – 12 Hours

The certificate of specialization for flight instructor training is designed for individuals who wish to pursue the knowledge and skills necessary to earn a FAA Flight Certificate (CFI license). This training includes both the conceptual theory and the hands-on experience to pass both the FAA written examinations for flight instructors (Fundamentals of Instructions and Flight Instructor – Airplane) and the FAA practical examination to earn an initial flight instructor certification for airplanes (CFI). With a CFI Certificate, one can teach others the knowledge and skills to fly airplanes.   

A grade of “C” (70%) or better is required for all required courses and students must pass the FAA Written Examinations (FOI and FIA) for this certificate. 

Flight Instructor Training Requirements – 6 Credit Hours

Flight Instructor Training Requirements – 6 Credit Hours

Flight Instructor Training Electives – 6 Credit Hours

Flight Instructor Training Electives – 6 Credit Hours

Choose two (2) of the following

Aviation Instrument Rating Flight Training Certificate of Specialization

Certificate of Specialization: 12 Hours

The certificate of instrument rating flight training is designed for individuals who wish to pursue the knowledge and skills necessary to earn a FAA Instrument Rating on an already approved pilot certificate. This training includes both the conceptual theory and the hands-on experience to pass both the FAA written examination for Instrument Rating Airplane and the FAA practical examination to earn an Instrument Rating to an estabilished pilot certificate. With this rating one can fly safely and efficiently in instrument meteorological condistion (IMC) in the national airspace system.   

A grade of “C” (70%) or better is required for all  required courses and students must pass the FAA Instrument Pilot – Airplane (IRA) Written Examination for this Certificate of Achievement. 

Instrument Rating Flight Training Requirements – 9 Credit Hours

Instrument Rating Flight Training Requirements – 9 Credit Hours

Instrument Rating Flight Training Elective – 3 Credit Hours

Instrument Rating Flight Training Elective – 3 Credit Hours

Select one of the following:

Aviation Private Pilot Flight Training Certificate of Specialization

Certificate of Specialization: 10 Hours

The certificate of private pilot flight training is designed for individuals who wish to pursue the knowledge and skills necessary to earn a FAA Private Pilot Certificate (license). This training includes both the conceptual theory and the hands-on experience to pass both the FAA written examination for Private Pilot and the FAA practical examination to earn Private Pilot certification. With a Private Pilot’s Certificate one can fly safely and efficiently for personal pleasure as well as transport non-paying passengers. 

A grade of “C” (70%) or better is required for all required courses and students must pass the FAA Private Pilot Written Examination for this certificate.

Private Pilot Flight Training Requirements – 10 Credit Hours

Private Pilot Flight Training Requirements – 10 Credit Hours

Locations Offered:

More Tools for Finding Your Path

Notices & Disclaimers

*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.

**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.

Need help?

Live Chat

(417) 447-7500

Request Info