Ozarka College's inaugural aviation class now has five students who have completed their solo flights. The College began offering flight training at the Melbourne Municipal Airport on July 1, 2015, then Associate of Science in Aviation - Professional Pilot degree seeking students began flight lessons in January of 2016.

On April 13, 2016, Jacob Harness of Mountain View became the first student to solo, the term used to define flying an aircraft without an instructor. Four more students followed suit the week of May 2, 2016. Solo flight completers thus far also include Cody Gault of Salem, Alex Pannell of Mountain Home, Abigail Shackelford of Smithville, and Sam Vogt of Highland.

When asked what it was like flying solo, Cody said, "Scary, exciting, intense, and fulfilling. All of those times ten! " Prior to taking a solo flight, students are required to receive and log flight training for maneuvers and procedures ranging from proper flight preparation procedures to emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions.Additionally, they have to pass an aeronautical knowledge test.

Students in the aviation program are working toward FAA certification as Private Pilots. Once students complete their solo flights, they begin flying to larger airports with an instructor. Just prior to certification, students will fly to the Little Rock Airport on their own.

Alex, who plans to eventually fly corporate said, "When I was around 7 (years old), my Uncle took me up in his Cessna. From there on out, I fell in love with flying. "

When asked about Abigail, Ozarka College Aviation Director Nick Lenczycki said, "Abi has worked hard and proved herself to be an incredibly capable pilot. "

For more information about flight training at Ozarka College, the aviation program, or to schedule a discovery flight, please contact Nick Lenczycki, Ozarka College Director of Aviation, at 870.368.7926.