On June 26, 2018, Ozarka College received full approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin offering a Multi Engine Associate of Applied Science degree. This is in addition to the Aviation - Professional Pilot Associate of Applied Science degree that students have already began completing through Ozarka's full-time part 141 flight school, which was certified by the FAA in July of 2017.

Ozarka began offering aviation courses in August of 2015 under a provisional certificate from the FAA. To date, nineteen Ozarka students have completed solo flights and seven have earned a Private Pilot Certificate. Up to this point, students were then encouraged to transfer to a partnering flight school to complete additional certifications, but with Ozarka's latest FAA approval, that is no longer the case.  

"Students can come to us with zero experience and leave with all the certifications they need to fly commercial, " said John Catlett, Director of Aviation and Chief Flight Instructor at Ozarka College. Catlett added that students gain approximately 200 hours of experience throughout the two-year program available at Ozarka.

In preparation for the program expansion, the College purchased a multi-engine airplane, upgraded the flight simulator, and hired additional faculty to accommodate the rigorous training requirements. Ozarka also offers aviation courses through continuing education, which allows students to complete courses at their own pace versus on a scheduled degree plan.  

For more information, please visit fly.ozarka.edu or call 870-368-7926 to speak to someone in the aviation department.