11-06-2025
Ozarks Tech unveils new Roy Blunt Aviation Center
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Technical Community College revealed a new training center designed to teach students how to repair commercial and private aircraft.
The Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center features classrooms and hands-on learning opportunities for students, including the planes that students will work.
Hal Higdon, Chancellor at Ozarks Tech, says this has been a collaboration between multiple organizations and a years-long journey that started when the Ozarks Tech Aviation program took off.
'As that [the aviation program] grew, the airport really talked to us about the need for these mechanics because of the large amount of need in this area,' Higdon said. 'So we began planning several years ago and the federal government, through Senator Blunt, was able to put in money our Greene County put in money, the city of Springfield and the state of Missouri.'
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The new program fulfills an agreement Ozarks Tech has with American Airlines. The graduates of this program will fill the need in the workforce that was created when American opened its maintenance base in Springfield in 2021.
Following the two-year program, students will receive an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certification and an associate's degree through Ozarks Tech.
'When they graduate, they're eligible to go to work on anything that we have here in southwest Missouri. We have a large American Airlines facility here that will be hiring, plus private aviation,' Higdon said. 'So there is no lack of jobs ready for these young men and women when they leave this program.'
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There are 24 spots available for the Fall of 2025. Higdon says they will add another 24 to the program each year.
'This program is important because it takes a pilot to fly a plane. But you can't fly a plane if it's not airworthy,' Higdon said. 'And these young men and women will be making sure the plane is safe and ready to fly before the pilot gets in and then all the passengers.'
Applications for Fall 2025 are now open. You can find more information to apply here.
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