GMC News
Georgia Military College Partners with Horizon Aviation to Offer Private Pilot Licensing Program for Cadets
Georgia Military College Partners with Horizon Aviation to Offer Private Pilot Licensing Program for Cadets
Georgia Military College (GMC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Horizon Aviation at Baldwin County Regional Airport (KMLJ), providing Cadets and students, both at GMC Prep School and Junior College, with the opportunity to pursue private pilot licenses and aviation instrument ratings. This collaboration marks a major milestone for GMC’s Cadets, offering them access to flight training as part of their leadership development and preparation for careers in aviation and military service.
This partnership came to be after GMC Cadet Sergeant First Class Emily Childs enrolled to obtain her pilot’s license at the local airport near GMC’s Main Campus in pursuit of her dream of becoming a U.S. Air Force pilot. Childs is a Falcon Foundation Scholar and is nearing the completion of GMC’s Service Academy Prep Program. She has earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy this spring.
“I knew I wanted to be a pilot, and I saw this year of preparation at GMC as my opportunity to earn my Private Pilot’s License (PPL),” Childs said.
Childs researched local flight schools close to GMC and discovered Horizon Aviation, where she began training in Milledgeville. When she approached GMC’s Commandant of Cadets, COL Rob Ramirez, about balancing her academic and Cadet responsibilities with flight training, he was immediately supportive.
“Colonel Ramirez thought I was a little crazy at first,” Childs joked. “But he saw the value in what I was doing and made it possible for me to pursue this opportunity while keeping up with my responsibilities at GMC.”
Recognizing the potential of this initiative, COL Ramirez worked with Horizon Aviation to establish a formal partnership, ensuring future Cadets could follow in Childs’ footsteps with structured support and discounted rates.
Through this partnership, GMC Cadets and students can now enroll in 40- and 60-hour Private Pilot courses at Horizon Aviation, working toward earning their Private Pilot License (PPL). Having a PPL offers significant advantages for Cadets and students pursuing a career in aviation, including:
• Joining the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Precision Flying Team, allowing Cadets to log more flight hours.
• Enhancing their pilot selection scores, a key factor in securing flight slots within the Air Force.
• Providing a pathway to civilian aviation careers, as a PPL is the first step toward becoming a professional pilot.
Currently, Childs has logged 20 flight hours and plans to accelerate her training in the spring. She encourages other Cadets to take advantage of the opportunity.
“My biggest advice is to just get out there and start,” she said. “If you think aviation might be for you, go for it. Don’t be afraid to be a trailblazer.”
Measuring GMC options with other institutions was an important factor in her decision to attend GMC understanding her future is with the U.S. Air Force. With there being an aviation certification program within close proximity to the GMC Main Campus, and this being further supported by the great community of Milledgeville and the robust commercial infrastructure that is present, Childs explained her decision was made easier with all that GMC had to offer in helping build the most appropriate foundation for her educational and career desires.
“I loved the environment here, and I knew GMC was the right fit for me,” she said. “I just decided to take charge of my education and make flight training a reality.”
Now, thanks to her initiative and the support of GMC leadership, other Cadets and students will have a structured path to earn their Private Pilot Licenses, preparing them for futures in military or civilian aviation.
With Horizon Aviation now offering discounted rates for GMC Cadets and students, the future of this program is bright. For information about GMC’s partnership with Horizon Aviation, contact GMC’S Corps of Cadets Recruiter, Major Jeremy Scanlon, at jscanlon@gmc.edu or at 478-387-4790. For more information on all opportunities Georgia Military College offers, visit gmc.edu.
