Learn how to fly and earn FAA approved certifications to become a pilot or flight instructor.
what are aviation programs?
MCC Aviation programs provide students with the knowledge and skills required to enter the exciting world of professional aviation.
While you earn the Associate of Applied Science degree, you will also earn the FAA ratings required to become a professional pilot. Specifically, the private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, multi-engine rating (airplane track), and the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) certificate and Multiengine Instructor (MEI) ratings are available. Helicopter flight students will earn the private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, and the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) certificates. Program requirements will reflect FAA and industry standards to the greatest extent possible.
Getting Started
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
Helicopter Degree & Certificate Options
Helicopter Flight Training - AAS | Requirements |
FAA: Certified Flight Instructor Certificate - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Certified Flight Instructor Ground - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Commercial Pilot Certificate - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Commercial Pilot Ground School - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Flight Instructor Instrument Certification - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Flight Instructor Instrument Ground - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Instrument Pilot Certification - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Instrument Pilot Ground School - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Private Pilot Certification - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Private Pilot Ground School - Helicopter - Certificate | Requirements |
Fixed-Wing Degree & Certificate Options
Fixed Wing Flight Training - AAS | Requirements |
FAA: Certified Flight Instructor & Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Flight Lab Certificate - Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Ground School - Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Commercial Pilot Certificate – Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Instrument Pilot Certification – Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Instrument Pilot Ground School – Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Multi-Engine Pilot Certification - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Private Pilot Certification – Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
FAA: Private Pilot Ground School – Fixed Wing - Certificate | Requirements |
How Do I Pay For This?
Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, MCC has you covered. MCC will help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Admission Requirements
Aviation Programs are selective admission only. Specific course prerequisites will apply and the program will be constrained by the equipment (aircraft) available to support student learning.
There are Federal Aviation Administration (medical) and Department of Homeland Security requirements with which students must comply prior to admission.
Length of Program
You can earn the associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status and at least 15 credit hours per term.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
Essential Progam Information
All students are required to meet English language proficiency at minimum ICAO Level 4.
Private Pilot
- Age: 17 or older
- Total Flight Time: 40 hours
- Tests & Exams: Knowledge test and practical (flight) exam
Commercial Pilot
- Age: 18 or older
- Total Flight Time: 250 hours
- Tests & Exams: Knowledge test and practical (flight) exam
Airline Transport Pilot
- Age: 21 or older
- Total Flight Time: 1500 hours
- Tests & Exams: ATP CTP, Knowledge test and practical (flight) exam
To receive your flight training application, contact the Aviation Program Director, Todd Smith, at todd.smith@kctcs.edu.
Apply for admission to MCC
A student interested in registering for MCC credit courses, certificates or degrees will begin by completion of the on-line application will expedite your admission process; however, paper applications are also available.
Start by visiting the https://madisonville.kctcs.edu/admissions/index.aspx to learn the process, programs offered and requirements. Once you apply for admission you will be assigned a student ID number.
Determine how you will pay for college
Certain classes will have flight training and simulator fees attached that are quite expensive. The program qualifies for federal financial aid. Flight fees charged by the college are generally based on the hours required to successfully complete semester objectives and not to any specific level of FAA proficiency. Students who require additional flight, ground, or simulator training may incur costs that exceed the fees advertised in the current academic year catalog in order to gain FAA proficiency for a given rating. The student would be responsible for those additional fees and must fund their student account prior to the commencement of any additional, or add-on training. Alternative loans may be available to cover flight fees beyond the federal financial aid.
Develop a plan for college success
- Organize your life to have time to learn
- Build a degree plan with your advisor
- Tour the MCC Campus and learn where your classes will be located.
- Learn technology used at MCC.
- Learn how to get involved on campus - activities, jobs and clubs
Meet with a program advisor
All first time degree-seeking students are required to talk with an advisor so they can be cleared to register for classes. If you are aviation major, you should talk to Todd Smith at 270-824-8589 before committing to the program so you learn the program specific requirements. This is an expensive major so you must be prepared for the cost of flight training in addition to the normal tuition and fees.
FAA Medical Certificate
Students are required to get an FAA medical certificate before starting the aviation program. Go to https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification for more information.
Student Pilot's Certificate
You must complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1 and submit it to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), an FAA-designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a part 141 flight school, or a certificated flight instructor. The authorized individual will process your application and submit the required documents to the Airmen Certification Branch. Once, reviewed by Airman Certification Branch, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application.
TSA Security Requirement
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires us to verify a student's citizenship status. See the National Aviation Security information page on this site for more information.