Applications now being accepted for Madisonville Community College's new aviation program
A new aviation program at Madisonville Community College will be housed at the Madisonville Regional Airport and will allow students to earn an associate degree and a pilot's license in as little as two years.
Madisonville Community College is now home to the county's first and only aviation program. Students enrolled in the degree program will earn an associate degree upon completion, along with their pilot's license for either fixed-wing planes or helicopters. Along the way students will earn academic certificates in areas recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to classroom learning, students will get hand-on experience flying aircraft at Madisonville Regional Airport and in flight simulators on campus.
In a recent article published by The Lane Report, details of the project are explained. The development of the program was a combined effort between college administrators and local officials who feel like the program will be good for the local economy and also lead to a profitable career path for students. President Ray Hagerman of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation said, "We have always believed this program not only creates its own economic impact but sets the stage for so much more aerospace activity throughout the community and the region."
The President of Madisonville Community College, Dr. Cindy Kelley, also weighed in on the development of the program, noting the collaboration that made it possible, "This is the first flight training program in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. We have been able to make it to this point with strong community support, the work of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, and the leadership of the City of Madisonville."
In an article published by The Messenger, Commissioner Todd Bloch with the Kentucky Department of Aviation stated, "The COVID downturn is only going to stimulate this culture and business. Aviation is going to come back stronger than it has ever been before and the need for pilots is going to be greater than it has ever been before."
The college recently leased a Cessna 172 airplane and two Schweizer S300 helicopters for students to utilize during training. MCC also has two Redbird flight simulators for training before students take to the sky. The aviation program is accepting applications and financial aid is available.