Ozarks Technical Community College celebrated the grand opening of its Lebanon Aviation Center at the Floyd W. Jones Airport, today, Wednesday, June 12. The opening of the Lebanon aviation program marks an expansion of OTC’s Aviation Flight Technology Program, which debuted at the Springfield campus in the fall of 2017.
“We were extremely pleased but not surprised that there was a huge demand for a college pilot training program in southwest Missouri,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor. “Our Springfield program has far more applicants than seats. This expansion to Lebanon gives students more opportunities to pursue high-demand careers in aviation.”
Students who complete OTC’s Aviation Flight Technology degree earn a private pilot’s license and are eligible to become commercial pilots. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial pilots often work as corporate pilots, provide aerial tours or work in agriculture applying chemicals to crops. To become an Airline Transport Pilot, a student typically must earn a bachelor’s degree and log additional flight hours.
Students in the program will attend ground school and take general education courses at the OTC Lebanon Center. The flight training labs will be conducted out of the Floyd W. Jones Airport.
“We are excited to partner with OTC Lebanon to provide this facility for flight training to help meet a growing need in the workforce,” said Mike Schumacher, Lebanon city administrator. “The aviation program will invigorate our airport with more activity and air traffic.”
Students interested in pursuing the Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Flight Technology at Lebanon should attend the following information session at the OTC Lebanon Center:
- Tuesday, June 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m., room 103
For questions, call (417) 447-8932. The OTC Lebanon Center is located at 22360 Highway MM in Lebanon.