A group photo of faculty from the Aeronatuics department
A plane with the words FLY under the wing painted Valley Blue

San Bernardino Valley College unveiled its Flight Operations - Professional Pilot Degree and Certificate program on August 2 during an open house at Riverside Municipal Airport.

The program, operated in partnership with Riverside Flight Academy, prepares students for careers in aviation; expands local access to high-demand pilot training; and gives participants financial access to the aircraft industry by helping cover their flight hours (a minimum of 40 hours as required by the FAA). It was approved by the state in June and will be offered for the first time in the 2025-26 academic year.

“Our dream is to bring flight to the community college and open opportunities for flight instruction to individuals who might not have that opportunity,” said adjunct aeronautics faculty member Shannon Millen. 

Open house attendees enjoyed food and music on the airport cafe patio and took rides in one of the program's two newly-painted Cessna 172s. Students will use the planes while matriculating through private, instrument, and commercial pilot training, Millen said.