Hill College Partners with Lively Aviation to Launch Pilot Ground School in Texas, USA

Texas, USA – U.S. community college Hill College has partnered with flight training organisation Lively Aviation to introduce a Private Pilot Ground School at its Johnson County Campus in Cleburne, Texas. The collaboration establishes a classroom-based entry point for students pursuing FAA private pilot qualifications, with practical flight training available separately through Lively Aviation.

• The 15-week Private Pilot Ground School course (AIRP 1017) is scheduled to begin on January 26, 2027, with tuition and course materials priced at US$1,850.
• Classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. at Hill College's Johnson County Campus, with registration closing on January 20, 2027.
• The course will prepare students for the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test, covering aviation regulations, meteorology, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, navigation, flight planning and aviation safety.
• Practical flight instruction is not included in the course fee. Students wishing to progress toward a Private Pilot Certificate can arrange flight lessons separately through Lively Aviation, with aircraft training and associated costs managed independently of the college's ground school.
• Hill College lists a minimum admission age of 16, alongside identification, citizenship documentation and FAA medical requirements. The college estimates additional costs of US$175 for the FAA knowledge test and US$150 for an aviation medical certificate.
• The partnership represents an initial step toward a broader aviation education pathway at Hill College, with the institution indicating plans to explore additional aviation training opportunities in future semesters.

Statements:

• “We’re very excited to partner with Hill College and see something we’ve been working toward for quite some time come to life. This partnership brings new aviation opportunities to students in our local community and gives them a place to begin pursuing their goals. We look forward to helping grow this program over the coming semesters and introducing students to the possibilities that aviation has to offer,” said Jeff Lively, owner of Lively Aviation.
• “At Hill College, we're always looking for new ways to help students discover opportunities and achieve their goals. Aviation opens the door to exciting possibilities, and this partnership allows us to offer an innovative pathway that aligns with both student interests and regional opportunities. We see this program as the first step in building a broader aviation pathway at Hill College and expanding opportunities for future students,” said Dr. Shelley Pearson, Vice President of Student Learning and Success. 

About Lively Aviation
Lively Aviation is a flight training organisation headquartered in Cleburne, Texas, offering private pilot, instrument, commercial, multi-engine and flight instructor training, alongside Cirrus aircraft transition training. Its published training fleet comprises six aircraft, including four Piper PA-28s, one Cirrus SR20 G7 and one Beechcraft Travel Air, supported by a Redbird FMX Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD).

Source: Hill College