Aviation Flight Technology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Take to the skies at Ozarks Tech! In our program you will learn to fly and navigate commercial aircraft. Your courses will cover topics like:

  • Aircraft design and performance
  • Flight systems
  • Crew operations
  • Navigation
  • Traffic laws
  • Government rules for pilots

At the end of the program, you must earn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification as a commercial pilot. To earn your certification you will take the FAA exams for private, commercial and instrument flying.

Interested in becoming an airline pilot? We also have a path for you. To become an airline pilot you must complete an Airline Transport Certificate. Our graduates can transfer directly to Drury or Missouri State to complete this requirement. This program is selective and follows all FAA rules. For more details, see the Aviation Admission Information page.

Kyle McKee
Aviation Department Chair
417-447-6983

Visit Department

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 information on OTC accreditation.

Program Outcomes

View program outcomes

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.

COSTS & OPTIONS

CREDENTIAL TYPE
PROGRAM
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO:
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
COST*

Associate of Applied Science

Aviation Flight Technology

  • Begin working as a commercial pilot after completing an associate degree
  • Supplement your technical training with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills gained in general education courses

65 credit hours
4 semesters

$84,955.00*
to
$88,809.00*

Certificate of Specialization

Aviation Flight Instructor Training

  • Earn an FAA Flight Certification (Certified Flight Instructor License)
  • Teach others the knowledge and skills to fly airplanes 

12 credit hours
1 semester

$9,112.00*
to
$9,808.00*

Certificate of Specialization

Aviation Instrument Rating Flight Training

  • Earn an FAA instrument rating on a pre-approved pilot certificate
  • Learn to fly safely and efficiently in instrument meteorological condition (IMC)

12 credit hours
1 semester

$17,322.00*
to
$18,018.00*

Certificate of Specialization

Aviation Private Pilot Flight Training

  • Earn an FAA Private Pilot Certification (Private Pilot's License)
  • Fly safely and efficiently for personal pleasure and transport non-paying passengers

10 credit hours
1 semester

$17,546.00*
to
$18,126.00*

Certificate of Specialization

COMING SOON: Aviation General Technician 

  • Learn the technical skills for a successful career in aviation maintenance
  • Begin working immediately after graduation 

Short-Term Training

Learn More

Accelerate your career with OTC's short-term training courses. Gain valuable skills in as little as just weeks and unlock new opportunities for success. View courses. 

Learn More

Varies by course

Not Sure Which Career is Right for You?

PROGRAM DETAILS

Clicking on the options below will provide overview information, course sequences (when applicable), and specific course descriptions. To see a full catalog of all the offerings at OTC, visit catalog.otc.edu.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

REQUEST INFORMATION

*Notices and 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.