Aviation Programs

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. 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires flight schools to determine the citizenship status for any student, whether U.S. or alien, seeking flight training toward the issuance of a recreational pilot, sport pilot, or private pilot certificate; instrument rating, or multiengine rating.

U.S. Citizens

Students: Bring appropriate evidence of citizenship with you to school. Evidence of U.S. citizenship must be shown by one of the following:

Valid, unexpired U.S. passport, or a government-issued picture ID card and

1. Original birth certificate of the United States, American Samoa, or Swains Island, or
2. Original certification of birth abroad with raised seal (Form FS-545 or DS-1350), or
3. Original certificate of U.S. citizenship with raised seal (Form N-560 or N-561), or a Certificate of Repatriation (Form N-581, or
4. Original U.S. Naturalization Certificate with raised seal (Form N-550 or N-570).

Aliens

An alien is defined as any person not a citizen or national of the United States. This also refers to resident aliens (green-card holders) and visa holders in the United States.

The Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) conducts background checks for non-U.S. citizens seeking flight training. Prior to obtaining flight training non-U.S. citizens must apply online through the AFSP website and provide their fingerprints, biographical information, security documents including passport copies, and specific information about their desired training events.
The candidate must notify the school that they are a resident alien.

Provide the aviation department with his/her visa, passport, and a current photograph when registering at the school. The aviation department will upload copies to the TSA website. The candidate is required to create a login account at https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov.

The candidate will be required to submit the following information:

- Background Information: Full name, gender, current address and five-year address history, date and country of birth, and citizenship information.

- Passport and Visa Information: Foreign applicants are required to have a passport. A candidate may either scan his or her complete passport and submit it to TSA electronically, or copy his or her complete passport and fax it to TSA using the fax number provided on the AFSP Web site.

- Training Details: Basic information including the name of the school, course name, course description and ID number, type of aircraft, pilot certificate or rating sought, and the start and end dates for the flight training.

- Fingerprints

- $130 Application Processing Fee

- Photo

The following links may also be helpful:

AFSP Help Desk Phone - 571.227.4544
AFSP E-mail - AFSP.help@dhs.gov

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.