McHenry County College, in partnership with JB Aviation, is excited to announce the launch of a fast-track pilot program designed to address the national pilot shortage. The Professional Aeronautics Certificate (PAC) program is now open for enrollment.
Esteemed aviation-research firm Oliver Wyman estimates a shortfall of 34,000 pilots by 2025, which is about 10% of the aviation workforce. As the nation faces a growing shortage of professional pilots, the PAC program was designed to meet industry demand while elevating training quality, safety standards, and career readiness. In as little as 16 months, students can complete the program, earning essential FAA certifications through a focused, cohort-based model designed for those pursuing a career as a professional pilot.
The curriculum is non-degreed, so students can skip the degree altogether or choose an area of study that supplements rather than duplicates their professional flight licenses.
“We built this program to leverage the structure and rigor of collegiate aviation while aligning with MCC’s value proposition of providing streamlined, affordable, local education,” said Dr. Christopher Johnson, the program architect and former professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “While other programs bolt on expensive, aviation-related degrees that generally go unused by pilots flying the line, our program skips the degree component, which shortens the time commitment and reduces the overall cost of the program.”
Students will split their time training between MCC’s Catalyst Campus and JB Aviation at Galt Airport. Weekly instruction includes 15–20 hours of classroom learning, one-on-one instruction, and simulator- and aircraft-based flight time, preparing students to earn all of the requisite FAA certifications to become professional aviators, including: