Madison College marked a milestone as five students became the first to graduate from its Aviation Professional Aeronautics program on July 20. The program, launched in partnership with Wisconsin Aviation in 2023, is structured as a two-year accelerated course designed for both traditional college students and adults returning to education.
The curriculum covers ground courses and flight training, leading to private pilot certification, instrument flight rating, commercial pilot licensure, and flight instructor certification. Ground school sessions are held at Madison College’s Truax campus, while flight training takes place at Wisconsin Aviation’s Flight School at Dane County Regional Airport.
Flight safety researcher Dr. Chris Johnson was instrumental in developing the program. “We proudly graduated our first class of highly trained professionals this past weekend,” Johnson said. “Aviation careers are in high demand and contribute to economic growth. It was exciting to see the gratitude and enthusiasm expressed by the graduates and their exceptionally supportive families.”
The new program aims to prepare students for professional pilot careers using advanced training equipment within a supportive environment.
