Ozarka College is pleased to announce that on July 23, 2015 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the Ozarka College Aviation - Professional Pilot program. FAA approval was a critical step in the rollout of the new Associate of Science (A.S.) in Professional Pilot - Aviation degree.   Ozarka College will begin with the first class of student pilots during the Fall 2015 semester.

Subsequent to FAA approval, Ozarka College received approval on July 24, 2015 from the US Department of Education Federal Student Aid division. This approval will allow students within the degree to apply for federal financial aid under Title IV. The College is now completing the final steps to obtain approval from the Veteran's Affairs Administration to allow veterans within the degree program to use their VA benefits, in addition to federal financial aid.

As an FAA approved College, both degree-seeking students and private individuals will be able to complete their flight training with fewer required hours.   "Students can now complete their Private Pilot Certificate with five fewer hours of solo flight time, " said Nick Lenczycki, Ozarka College Director of Aviation. "This saves every student nearly six hundred dollars. "

Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka President, commented, "This exciting new aviation program will provide students the opportunity to pursue a new career track that can lead to strong pay, world travel, and the ability to live where they were raised if they choose to stay close to home. "

Ozarka College recently announced two endowed scholarship for students of the new Aviation Program from the late Gwenn A. Lea.   These scholarships, endowed at $20,000 each, are for students who have declared their major as Professional Pilot - Aviation at Ozarka College, to use for lab (flight) fees. Each scholarship recipient will be awarded $500 per semester, beginning in the Spring semester of the 2016 academic school year. There are many other scholarship opportunities available for Ozarka student pilots and those enrolled in other programs.

Ozarka College has acquired a Cessna Skyhawk 172 and a Redbird LD Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) in preparation for the first cohort of students. The College is continuing to grow its fleet of aircraft to support the program.   Lenczycki stated that the Cessna Skyhawk is an ideal training platform with a proven safety record. "The Redbird LD accurately represents the training aircraft in almost every respect and serves as an economical way for students to practice a whole range of skills. "

It's a great time to be thinking about aviation. The pilot shortage that exists makes it a perfect time to begin a career in aviation. For those who are on the fence, the College offers discovery flights. These flights last about thirty minutes and students have a chance to fly an airplane and see what aviation is all about. Discovery flights are available for $75.00.

For more information about the A.S. in Professional Pilot - Aviation, flight training, discovery flights, or to apply for the Gwenn Lea Memorial Aviation Scholarships, please contact Nick Lenczycki, Ozarka College Director of Aviation, at 870.368.7926.