Launching Careers. Expanding Opportunity. Meeting Workforce Needs.
The UCA Aviation Academy prepares students for high-demand careers as private and commercial pilots. Through rigorous flight training, classroom instruction, and hands-on experience, students graduate ready to enter a rapidly growing industry.
Becoming a pilot requires extraordinary commitment and significant financial investment. For many talented students, the cost of flight hours and certification can be a barrier to pursuing their dreams.
Philanthropic support helps remove those barriers, expand access to aviation careers, and strengthen Arkansas’s workforce pipeline.
When you invest in the Aviation Academy, you help students take flight — professionally and personally.
Why the Aviation Academy Matters
The aviation industry continues to face a nationwide pilot shortage. UCA is helping meet that demand by preparing highly skilled graduates who are ready to serve regional, national, and global employers.
The Aviation Academy:
- Provides comprehensive private and commercial pilot training
- Connects students with industry partnerships and career pathways
- Strengthens Arkansas’s economic development
- Expands access to high-paying, in-demand careers
Students who complete the program graduate with certifications, confidence, and a clear path forward.
Ways to Support the Aviation Academy
Expand Student Flight Scholarships
Help offset the cost of flight training and certification, making aviation careers more accessible to talented students.
Support Flight Training & Equipment
Invest in aircraft, simulation technology, and instructional resources that ensure high-quality training and safety.
Strengthen Industry Partnerships & Workforce Development
Expand internship opportunities, employer connections, and career placement initiatives that position graduates for success.
Support the Aviation Academy Fund
Provide flexible resources that allow program leadership to respond to emerging needs and industry advancements.
Support the UCA Aviation Academy
Want to learn how you can help a future pilot take flight?
Please contact:
Dr. Mary Bane Lackie
Vice President of University Advancement
President, UCA Foundation Inc.
(501) 450-3127 | mlackie@uca.edu
