JACKSONVILLE, AL — Jacksonville State University’s new Aviation program has received an Air Agency Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, marking another step in the university’s launch of its Bachelor of Science in Aviation program.
FAA representatives presented the certificate to university officials Thursday during a ceremony at Merrill Hall. The certificate, issued Aug. 17, authorizes Jax State to operate an approved Provisional Pilot School with ratings for Commercial Pilot Ground School and Instrument Ground School courses.
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The certification comes as Jax State welcomes its first cohort of Aviation students for the fall semester and accepts applications for its Commercial Aviation concentration.
“This is another important step in turning the vision we had for Aviation at Jax State into a reality for our students,” Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth Jr. said. “A tremendous amount of work has gone into building this program the right way, and receiving this certificate from the FAA is an important part of that process. Most importantly, our first Aviation students are now in the classroom, and we’re excited about the opportunities this program is going to create for them and for the students who will follow.”
The FAA certificate recognizes that Jax State’s organization complies with federal regulations governing the establishment of an air agency and allows the university to operate its provisional pilot school.
Jax State launched its Bachelor of Science in Aviation this fall with concentrations in Aviation Management, Commercial Aviation and Public Safety Aviation.
The Commercial Aviation concentration combines university coursework with professional flight training through Sanders Flight Training Center in Jasper. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education approved the flight training center earlier this summer as an off-campus instructional site for the program.
“This program is for you all, and we’re going to do our best to make a great product and give you an opportunity to be successful in any of our three concentrations that we’re going to be offering to students here at Jax State,” said Dr. Maureen Newton, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “I’m really excited for the students more than anybody else.”
Jessica Sanders Walker, president of Sanders Aviation and Sanders Flight Training Center, said the program provides another pathway for Alabama students interested in becoming pilots.
“Today is a monumental day in aviation for the state of Alabama!” Sanders Walker said. “Sanders Flight Training Center is proud to be partnered with Jacksonville State University to offer another pathway for students to become pilots. So much hard work went into creating this pathway.”
Sanders Walker credited Jax State staff, Sanders Flight Training Center employees, the FAA and retired FAA official Ed Blount for their roles in establishing the program. She also noted that the first Jax State student participating in the flight-training partnership has begun flying.
Through the partnership, students in the Commercial Aviation concentration can work toward FAA pilot certifications and complete required flight training while earning their bachelor’s degree from Jax State.
Blount, who assisted Jax State with the FAA Part 141 application process, addressed students during Thursday’s ceremony and encouraged them to pursue their career goals.
“Whatever your dreams are, whatever your goals are, I would just say to you that you need to pursue them with 110% effort, and you’ll realize them,” Blount said. “So best of luck to each and every one of you.”
Applications are currently open for students interested in Jax State’s Commercial Aviation concentration and other Aviation programs.
