Southwest Tennessee Community College has joined the ranks of federally certified aviation training institutions after receiving a provisional Part 141 designation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The certification made Southwest the first two-year college in Tennessee and the only one in West Tennessee to earn this distinction.
Southwest leaders, aviation experts and members of the community gathered recently at the college’s Maxine A. Smith Center to recognize the achievement. During the ceremony, Capt. Albert Glenn, director of the Luke Weathers Flight Academy, presented an official certification letter from the FAA to Southwest President Dr. Tracy Hall.
The Part 141 certification validated the structure and quality of the college’s Aviation Operations Technology (AOT) program, which offers flight training alongside associate degrees in flight dispatch and aviation administration. The FAA designation allows graduates pursuing pilot careers to complete their training with 1,250 flight hours instead of the standard 1,500, reducing both time and cost without sacrificing quality.
Currently, 46 students are enrolled in Southwest’s aviation program, which began in 2022 and offers three concentrations: professional pilot, flight dispatch and aviation administration. The Part 141 certification specifically impacts the professional pilot concentration, allowing students to become airline transport pilots faster and at a lower cost by meeting the FAA’s rigorous training standards.
Before the certification, students were required to complete additional flight training hours beyond graduation in order to qualify for airline transport certification. The new designation certifies the overall program rather than individual students, streamlining the path for those pursuing professional pilot careers.
No new classes will be added to the curriculum with the new designation because Southwest’s existing program already meets necessary federal standards.
Southwest expects to see its first class of pilots graduate under the FAA-certified designation in Spring 2027.
“This certification reflects our commitment to preparing students for high-demand, high-skill careers,” said Hall. “It also demonstrates Southwest’s growing role in addressing the pilot shortage in Memphis and across the country.”
Industry forecasts predict a need for more than 130,000 pilots in North America over the next two decades. By earning Part 141 status, Southwest is poised to play a key role in meeting that demand — especially in Memphis, a major logistics and aviation hub.
The certification was the result of months of preparation and collaboration. Willie Robison, the college’s AOT program coordinator and chief flight instructor, successfully completed the FAA’s oral exam with Inspector Brad Gottschalk, a key requirement for approval.
“This was a team effort that speaks to the dedication and expertise of our faculty,” said Charles Baker, dean of business and technologies. “Our aviation program now offers a direct path to the flight deck, air traffic center or airport office at a fraction of the cost of many four-year programs.”
Aaron Jagers Jr., department chair of technologies, said the program’s impact extends well beyond the classroom.
“This recognition from the FAA confirms that Southwest has the resources, leadership and vision to support aviation education at the highest level,” Jagers said. “It’s a win not just for our students but for the entire Mid-South region.”
Students have already seen success in the program.
“Even though the aviation program is still relatively young, only three years old, I’ve been able to complete all of my flight training so far on a full-ride scholarship thanks to Southwest and its partners,” said Darrell DeGraffenreid, a current aviation student. “With their support, I earned my Private Pilot License in December 2024, which is the first major milestone for every aspiring aviator.”
Graduates of Southwest’s aviation program are positioned for competitive careers in the aviation industry, with pilots earning between $50,000 and $400,000 annually, and dispatchers and administrators also benefiting from strong starting salaries and advancement opportunities.
