Aviation Operations Technology has three concentrations. Review the following academic maps for details:

• Aviation Administration Concentration, A.A.S.
• Flight Dispatcher Concentration, A.A.S.
• Professional Pilot Concentration, A.A.S.

Any Southwest student can enroll in the flight dispatcher and administration concentrations. However, those seeking a degree in the professional pilot concentration must first earn a private pilot license.

You may earn a private pilot license at any flight school or from a certified flight instructor. Flight schools located in or near Shelby and Fayette counties include:

• Air Venture Flight Center, Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, MS
• ATP Flight School, Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, MS
• CTI Professional Flight Training, Millington Airport, Millington TN
• Downtown Aviation, Dewitt Spain Airport, Downtown Memphis, TN
• First Team Pilot Training, Fayette County Airport, Somerville, TN
• Luke Weathers Flight Academy, Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, MS

The costs will vary, depending on the flight school you choose to pursue the private pilot license. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the school of their choice to get current pricing. A rough cost estimate for private pilot flight training is $9,000 - $15,000.

Southwest Tennessee Community College charges Aviation Operations Technology students in the professional pilot concentration optional study materials and supplies fees to cover flight training. However, students who require additional flight or ground training to achieve proficiency are responsible to pay those costs to the flight school. 

Air Venture is approved by the Veterans Association to offer financing. Both Air Venture and Luke Weathers are partners with Meritize Loans. Southwest Community College and Luke Weathers Flight Academy also have scholarships for eligible students.

Yes, as long as your vision is corrected to 20/20.

Most attention deficit medication is not allowed. Check with the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) about the medication you are taking and what you need to do to get an aviation medical certificate.

You must go to an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to get the Medical Certificate for flight training and to fly an airplane.

Visit the FAA website at www.faa.gov to locate a current listing of Aviation Medical Examiners. Click on the “Pilots & Airman” tab on the top bar. Then Click “Find an Aviation Medical Examiner.”  Enter your search criteria (county and state only). 

NOTE: You must fill out an online medical application BEFORE making an appointment with the Aviation Medical Examiner.  After you fill in all the questions and submit you will be assigned an application number.  Copy the number and bring to your appointment. Save your log-in and password for future use.

Here is a list of Memphis area Aviation Medical Examiners:

BOCK, GERALD W.
8573 Cordes Circle
Germantown, TN 38139
(901) 754-6733 

O’CAIN, DEBBIE T.
3725 Champion Hills Dr, #2000
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 367-9001

KELLY, RICHARD A
210 Goodman Rd. E #44
Southaven , MS 38671
(662) 349-2251

LANDRIGAN, JOHN  W
5715 East Shelby Dr
 Memphis, TN 38141
(901) 362-7546

SCHLESINGER, VICTOR A.
6005 Park Ave., #908
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 761-2170

VINCENT, JOHN ROBERT
8573 Cordes Circle
Germantown, TN 38139
(901) 754-6733

MAY, JEFFERY 
99 Doctors Drive
Mumford, TN 38058
(901) 837-3096

You may receive up to 42 hours of credit for previous training. Review our Prior Learning Assessment process and procedures at https://www.southwest.tn.edu/pla/index.php.