Jax State Receives FAA Air Agency Certificate as Aviation Program Takes Flight

Milestone comes as first Aviation students begin classes and applications open for Commercial Aviation program

Jacksonville, AL (08/28/2026) — Jacksonville State University's new Aviation program reached another major milestone Thursday as representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration presented the University with its Air Agency Certificate during a ceremony at Merrill Hall.

The certificate authorizes Jax State to operate an approved Provisional Pilot School with ratings for Commercial Pilot Ground School and Instrument Ground School courses. Combined with the University's partnership with Sanders Flight Training Center for FAA Part 141 flight instruction, the approval establishes the academic and flight training framework for students pursuing Jax State's Commercial Aviation concentration.

The presentation comes as Jax State welcomes its first cohort of Aviation students this fall and continues accepting applications from students interested in pursuing careers as professional pilots through the Commercial Aviation concentration.

"This is another important step in turning the vision we had for Aviation at Jax State into a reality for our students," said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. "A tremendous amount of work has gone into building this program the right way, and receiving this certificate from the FAA is an important part of that process. Most importantly, our first Aviation students are now in the classroom, and we're excited about the opportunities this program is going to create for them and for the students who will follow."

Representatives from the FAA joined University and Aviation program leadership, faculty and students for Thursday's presentation. The certificate, issued Aug. 17, recognizes that Jax State's organization complies with Federal Aviation Regulations governing the establishment of an air agency and authorizes the University to operate the provisional pilot school.

For the students who attended Thursday's ceremony, the milestone represents another piece of a program created with their future careers in mind.

"This program is for you all, and we're going to do our best to make a great product and give you an opportunity to be successful in any of our three concentrations that we're going to be offering to students here at Jax State," said Dr. Maureen Newton, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "I'm really excited for the students more than anybody else."

Jax State's Bachelor of Science in Aviation launched this fall with concentrations in Aviation Management, Commercial Aviation and Public Safety Aviation. The Commercial Aviation concentration combines University coursework with professional flight training through Sanders Flight Training Center in Jasper, which was approved by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education earlier this summer as an off-campus instructional site for the program.

Jessica Sanders Walker, president of Sanders Aviation and Sanders Flight Training Center, said Thursday's milestone is the result of extensive work by both organizations and their partners to create a new pathway into the profession.

"Today is a monumental day in aviation for the state of Alabama!" Sanders Walker said. "Sanders Flight Training Center is proud to be partnered with Jacksonville State University to offer another pathway for students to become pilots. So much hard work went into creating this pathway. I want to thank the staff at JSU, Ed Blount, our team at Sanders Flight Training Center and the Federal Aviation Administration for ensuring the success of this program. Our first Jax State student has already taken to the skies - so in a literal sense - this partnership is off the ground!"

Through the partnership, Commercial Aviation students can pursue FAA pilot certifications and complete required flight training while earning their bachelor's degree from Jax State, creating a direct pathway from the classroom and cockpit to careers in the aviation industry.

Killingsworth credited the University and industry partners who helped navigate the extensive approval process required to launch the program, including Sanders Flight Training Center and Ed Blount, a retired FAA official who assisted Jax State through the Part 141 application process.

Blount used the occasion to encourage Jax State's first Aviation students to take advantage of the opportunities now in front of them. He recalled beginning his own aviation journey while working in real estate and dreaming of one day flying a King Air aircraft. Within five years, he had become a King Air instructor.

"Whatever your dreams are, whatever your goals are, I would just say to you that you need to pursue them with 110% effort, and you'll realize them," Blount told the students. "So best of luck to each and every one of you."

Students interested in Jax State's Commercial Aviation program can begin the process by applying for admission to Jacksonville State University. Applications are now open for students interested in becoming professional pilots through the Commercial Aviation concentration, which combines a four-year Jax State degree with professional flight training through Sanders Flight Training Center. Prospective students can learn more about the program, admission requirements and flight training opportunities or request additional information by visiting the Jax State Aviation webpage.

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