RCTC aviation program preparing for takeoff

RCTC announced plans this weekend to begin exploring the feasibility of starting an aviation education program in Rochester.

The announcement was made in front of aviation industry leaders at the Southeastern Minnesota Aviation Celebration. A news release from RCTC cites industry research indicating a "critical shortage of trained pilots — and an estimate of 20,000 openings anticipated over the next several years."

For the past eight months, RCTC administration has been working with Rochester airport director John Reed on how to get the program off the ground. There have also been discussions with universities and colleges that already offer flight instruction programs, along with airport managers and private companies that provide flight instruction in Minnesota.

RCTC’s associate’s degree in aviation will be designed to transfer to Minnesota State Mankato, the news release says, so students can eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in aviation. Mankato is one of less than 40 schools nationwide to be accredited and has partnerships with multiple airlines.

The preliminary goal is to begin offering classes in Rochester by fall 2019.

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