CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University has launched a new class of aspiring agricultural aviators as its Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Certificate program kicked off its fall session on Oct. 1. The eight-month program, designed to address a national shortage of agricultural pilots, welcomed 10 students preparing for careers in one of the Delta’s most specialized industries.
The program is supported through a $2 million Congressional award funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Additional training support was provided by AccelerateMS, the Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship, MDES and the South Delta Planning and Development District. The initiative is intended to create a pipeline of qualified pilots to fill high-demand positions across agriculture.
Program leaders say graduates are expected to enter the workforce immediately, with a 100% job placement rate and starting salaries topping $75,000. All students selected for this year’s class hold private pilot licenses and at least 50 hours of tailwheel experience. Early instruction includes tailwheel maneuvers, use of light bars, and turbine aircraft operations, with advanced training to follow on hazardous materials handling and aircraft such as the AT-802 and Cessna 188 AG Truck.
For many students, the program marks the realization of a long-held dream.
“I knew that I wanted to be an ag pilot,” said Kolby Nelson of Independence, Mississippi, a Lewisburg High School graduate who has worked in agriculture for six years. Now working toward his commercial license, Nelson said he’s most enjoyed learning tailwheel flying. “Tailwheel flying is by far the best flying,” he said.
Greenville native Morgan Cotton said she was drawn to aviation from an early age, inspired by watching crop dusters overhead. “I’ve always dreamed about being an ag pilot,” Cotton said. With her private license in hand and instrument training underway, Cotton is now completing her light bar exercises. “I hope to find a seat somewhere. I want to get straight to work.”
Garrett Stanfield, a Batesville, Arkansas, native now living in Cleveland, came to the program after four years pursuing ag aviation jobs on his own, from loading air tractors in Illinois to working tender trucks in Wisconsin. Stanfield, who earned his private license in March, is now enrolled in Delta State’s FAA Part 141 instrument program. “Getting checked out in the Citabrias… getting to start building tailwheel time,” has been a highlight, he said. Stanfield ultimately hopes to fly helicopters in agricultural operations.
Delta State officials say stories like these reflect the program’s mission of preparing “insurable and employable” ag pilots who can help meet industry needs.
“The Aerial Applicator program at Delta State made my childhood dream of becoming an ag pilot a reality,” said 2024 graduate Anthony Duffin in a statement shared by the university.
Students in the 2025-26 cohort are expected to graduate in May 2026.
Roster of the 2025–26 Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Certificate Class:
Austin Ard, Cleveland, Miss.
Morgan Cotton, Greenville, Miss.
Jeffery Croom, Cleveland, Miss.
August Ganchiff, Cleveland, Miss.
Levi Gee, Sardis, Miss.
Christopher “Blake” Golden, Cleveland, Miss.
Kolby Nelson, Independence, Miss.
Garrett Stanfield, Batesville, Ark.
Christian Wagner, Cleveland, Miss.
Ja’Den Williams, Cleveland, Miss.
