FAA Grants Prestigious Part 141 Provisional Designation to Southwest Tennessee Community College
Designation Fast-Tracks Pilot Training, Positions Southwest as Aviation Leader in Tennessee
For more information, contact Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Office of Marketing and Communications at 901-333-4247 or cm@southwest.tn.edu.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Southwest Tennessee Community College is proud to announce that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the College a provisional Part 141 designation. To celebrate this achievement, Southwest will have a presentation ceremony on June 26 at 12:30 p.m. at the Maxine A. Smith Center, 8800 East Shelby Drive, Memphis. Media and community members are invited to attend.
Southwest is the first two-year college in Tennessee to offer an aviation degree with FAA Part 141 certification and the only college in West Tennessee to do so. This distinction sets Southwest apart from traditional four-year aviation programs, allowing students to complete their training faster and at a lower cost while still receiving high-quality instruction. Southwest also offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in aviation operations technology (AOT) with concentrations in flight dispatch and aviation administration.
“Aviation is a critical industry to the Mid-South economy, and this important certification is another shining example of Southwest Tennessee Community College preparing our students to be workforce-ready and to have an impact in our community and region,” said Southwest President Tracy D. Hall. “This program designation will help address the shortage of commercial pilots and fuel the pipeline to jobs with FedEx and other major airlines in Memphis and beyond.”
This milestone recognizes Southwest’s aviation operations technology program as meeting the FAA’s rigorous standards for structured pilot training. The distinction significantly accelerates graduates’ pathway to earning an airline transport pilot certificate—cutting the required flight hours from 1,500 to 1,250. A person who holds an airline transport pilot certificate is entitled to the same privileges as a person who holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
Capt. Albert Glenn, director of the Luke Weathers Flight Academy in Olive Branch, Mississippi, played a key role in helping the college earn the designation. He will present an official letter from the FAA to President Hall during the ceremony. Also instrumental to this achievement was Willie Robison, Southwest’s AOT program coordinator and chief flight instructor, who successfully passed the Part 141 oral exam with FAA Inspector Brad Gottschalk—a pivotal step in securing the program’s FAA certification.
“The Aviation Operations Technology program here at Southwest provides a special opportunity for the community to pursue a career in aviation either as a pilot, a dispatcher, or an administrator,” said Charles Baker, dean of business and technologies. “The program’s Part 141 provisional certification demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Southwest to provide quality education at an affordable price.”
The aviation industry is facing a critical pilot shortage, with projections indicating that more than 130,000 new pilots will be needed in North America over the next 20 years. Southwest’s program directly addresses this demand by providing accessible, high-quality training to students seeking careers in aviation.
“We are honored that the FAA has chosen Southwest’s program with this designation,” said Aaron Jagers Jr., department chair of technologies. “This is a testament to the capabilities of instructors and students in the program and the college’s dedication to making it a success to meet not only the Mid-South’s needs, but that of the global community which pilots serve.”
Graduates of Southwest’s aviation program are well-positioned for high-paying careers in the industry. Airline pilots can earn between $50,000 and $400,000 annually, while flight dispatchers and aviation administrators also enjoy competitive salaries. The program’s structured curriculum and FAA oversight ensure that students graduate with the skills and certifications necessary to secure employment quickly.