LAKE WORTH — Palm Beach State College and Boca Pilot Training are expanding the college’s Professional Aeronautics Certification program to a second location at Lantana Airport as the aviation industry continues to face a nationwide pilot shortage.

The accelerated, nondegree program prepares students for careers as professional private and commercial pilots. In 12 to 16 months, students can complete 250 to 300 flight hours while working toward FAA certifications needed to enter the aviation workforce.

The program, part of PBSC’s Corporate and Continuing Education division, uses a cohort model that combines classroom instruction at PBSC’s Boca Raton campus with simulator and aircraft training at Boca Pilot’s facilities at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and Lantana Airport.

“This partnership combines exceptional academic instruction with hands-on, industry-quality flight training,” said Deborah Gordon, director of the CCE program. “As Boca Pilot expands to Lantana and Fort Lauderdale, our collaboration will provide even greater access to students and a direct, affordable pathway to rewarding aviation careers.”

Students can earn a private pilot license, instrument flight rating and commercial pilot license. The program also offers certified flight instructor and multi-engine instructor training for students interested in teaching roles.

“Professional pilots get paid for their FAA licenses, not their degrees,” said Dr. Chris Johnson, the program architect and former Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor. “We designed this program to provide exactly what airlines are looking for — career-ready pilots.”

A larger class is expected in fall 2026, and Boca Pilot Training plans to hire additional flight instructors and purchase more aircraft and a flight simulator.

An open house is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at Boca Pilot Flight Training inside the Signature Building main lobby at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Prospective students can tour the flight school, explore the aircraft, flight line and maintenance hangars, meet instructors and attend a presentation.

To RSVP or learn more, visit https://www.pilottrainingsystem.com/boca-pilot-open-house