ABOUT BBCC  |  DEGREE OPTIONS  |  ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS  |  HOW TO APPLY

PROGRAM COSTS  |  STEPS FOR SUCCESS  |  FINANCIAL AID  |  COMMON QUESTIONS

Excellence in Flight Training

Over 40 years ago with three airplanes and 23 students, Big Bend Community College established its commercial pilot training program - one of the college's most successful vocational training programs. Today, Big Bend Community College's name is recognized world wide as a leader in graduating competent well rounded professional pilots.

Our program is a FAA authorized community college, commercial training program, that was started in the fall of 1965. The program started out at the Moses Lake Municipal Airport (the college was on the south campus and the air base had not yet been vacated).

In the fall of 1967 the program was serving approximately 100 students, the aircraft fleet had grown to 11 aircraft and the program was moved to what had formally been Larson Air Force Base. The move to the air force base helped our program grow over night. The college was granted many of the former facilities on the air base, many of these especially adopted to aircraft use. The Flight department now had ample hanger storage, ramp space, classroom facilities, excellent runways and ample airspace with a variety of instrument approaches. The major advantage of the move for our students was the ability to have our program flight facilities located on the Big Bend campus.

In 2003 the state and Big Bend collaborated to remodel and expand the college flight training center. Our training facility space doubled with the addition of additional offices, classrooms, simulator and study space. This has enhanced developing relationships with baccalaureate partners to offer four-year degrees in aviation in Moses Lake. Many of our students take classes from Big Bend Community College, Central Washington University and Embry Riddle while attending our program.

Today , there are approximately 120 students, 23 aircraft, fourteen instructors and two mechanics. During the course of our two-year program , an average student will fly 220 hours to gain a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. Aviation training at Big Bend is taken in conjunction with academic or vocational courses that the student chooses, to fulfill the requirements of the Associate in Arts and Science Transfer Option or the Associate in Applied Science Occupational Program.

With our many years of experience, state of the art facilities, excellent weather and one of the largest airports in the world a visit to our college will convince you that our program is one of the finest in the country.

To find out more about what BBCC's Aviation Program,
click here to request more information.

Click here to view
Big Bend Community College Aviation Program Prospective Student Packet
- in PDF form. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the file.

  Learn to fly!! Contact John Swedburg Now!! For More Information Call (509) 793-2250 or email johns@bigbend.edu --START YOUR PILOT CAREER TODAY-- CHECK OUT OUR NEW "GLASS COCKPIT" PIPERS!