THOMASVILLE — Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) is taking their economic development to new heights. Starting this summer, the school will offer a Private Pilot Ground School training course that will provide interested students the with the knowledge needed to attempt the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Knowledge Test (AKT). The test is one of a series of requirements for any student who wishes to pursue a private pilot’s license that also includes completing a minimum of 40 hours of flight training, passing a third class aviation medical examination and passing a practical flight test with a FAA or designated FAA examiner. The ground school course will be taught by Herb Ludgewait who has held FAA certifications in flight and ground school training since 1974. It is that experience that makes him capable of introducing real-world proficiencies to the classroom by providing targeted instruction to those in attendance. The 12 week training course will consist of one weekly three hour session focused solely on exam preparation.

The Ground School course includes all necessary books and materials needed to sufficiently prepare for the written examination. Upon completion of the required coursework, students will receive the instructor’s endorsement to sit for the FAA examination at a local testing site.

Previous flight experience is not required, as this program is designed to assist a full spectrum of students, from novice to seasoned flyers. The training course may soon be of assistance to anyone wishing to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System (i.e. drones) as the FAA recently proposed a new rule that would require future drone operators to pass the AKT.

“Whether you have no experience and simply desire to learn the basics of flying, are working toward becoming a licensed pilot, or are already a licensed pilot wishing to refresh your aeronautical knowledge, this program is for you. Also, with the recent proposal from the FAA regarding unmanned aircraft operators, we could see an increased demand for FAA AKT preparatory courses, which this program would satisfy,” said Robert Petty, Flightline Operator for Thomasville Regional Airport.

This course will be available this summer at SWGTC and will cost $150. This course is offered through the Economic Development Department, along with the many other personal enrichment and training courses. For more information on this course or any other classes offered by the SWGTC Economic Development Department, contact Ruby Barron at (229) 227 – 2579.

SWGTC offers more than 80 certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Many of these programs provide training for some of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields including Nursing, Automotive Technology, Clinical Laboratory Technology, and Criminal Justice Technology. More information may be obtained by calling 229-225-4096 or by logging onto www.southwestgatech.edu.

Summer Semester 2015 begins May 18th. Don’t wait, enroll today!

Southwest Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.