Iowa Flight Schools Selection Process

Use the form below to filter your Iowa Flight Schools based on the options that are important to you.

Filter Flight Schools

Programs Offered
Part 141 Training Does this school offer Part 141 training? Part 141 is a section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that provide additional oversight by the FAA. Typically Part 141 schools are more structured, more professional, and provide additional services that a Part 61 flight school may not. Because of this, the FAA allows pilots to obtain their certificates/ratings with lower hourly requirements. However, a part 141 program does require stage checks. This type of learning environment is better for some, but is not necessarily right for everyone. Part 141 Training:
Private - Part 61 Does this school offer Private Pilot training under FAR Part 61. Part 61 training is the section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that details the training requirements to obtain a pilot certificate or rating. Part 61 schools may be large professional institutions, or they may be a single instructor operating on their own. It is important that a prospective student look into how a part 61 flight school operates. Private - Part 61:
Instrument Rating Does this school offer training for your Instrument Rating? If you want to legally fly in the clouds, certain airspace, and avoid travel delays, you'll need an Instrument Rating. An Instrument Rating allows a pilot to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions. IMC definitions vary based on airspace, but typically are defined as visibility less than 3 statue miles and a cloud ceiling of less than 1000ft. Instrument Rating:
Commercial Pilot Certificate Does this school offer training towards a Commercial Pilot Certificate? It is required to receive compensation for flying. Allows you to pursue a professional career as a pilot. Commercial Pilot Certificate:
Multi-Engine Rating Does this school offer Multi-Engine Rating training? It is required to fly any aircraft with more than one engine. Multi-Engine Rating:
Rotorcraft Rating Required to fly rotorcraft category aircraft (helicopters and gyrocopters). Rotorcraft Rating:
Certified Flight Instructor This certificate is required to act as an instructor and legally provide flight training, endorsements, and recommendations for pilots. Certified Flight Instructor:
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Required to instruct individuals for their instrument rating or to conduct Instrument Proficiency Checks. Certified Flight Instructor Instrument:
Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Required to provide flight training in Multi-Engine aircraft. Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine:
Certified Flight Instructor Sport This flight school offers the required training to become a flight instructor to conduct Sport Pilot training. Certified Flight Instructor Sport:
Sport Pilot Requires half the flight training hours of a private pilot certificate and you do not require a medical exam. However, you are limited to Light-Sport aircraft that can not exceed 120 knots, may not carry more than 1 passenger, must be single engine, and may not have a retractable landing gear. Other limitations apply. Please refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations. Sport Pilot:
Recreational Pilot The recreational pilot certificate requires less training and offers fewer privileges than the private certificate. It was originally created for flying small single-engine planes, and has since been largely supplanted by the Sport Pilot certificate. It is significantly more restrictive than a private pilot certificate. The holder is restricted to 50 nautical miles from his/her field of departure and from operating in the vicinity of airports with a control tower, though these restrictions can be lifted with additional training and endorsements. Recreational Pilot :
Glider Rating Required to operate glider category aircraft Glider Rating:
Float Rating (ASES, AMES) Required to operate an aircraft on floats. Float Rating (ASES, AMES):
Lighter-Than-Air: Airship Class Required training towards an Airship Class LTA rating. Lighter-Than-Air: Airship Class:
Lighter-Than-Air: Balloon Class Required Rating to operate Balloon Class LTA's Lighter-Than-Air: Balloon Class:
Group Training Programs
1 on 1 One on one lessons with an instructor 1 on 1:
Classroom Training One instructor to many students in ground school. Classroom Training:
Additional Seminars Additional seminars on various topics such as airplane maintanence, checkrides, glass cockpit training...etc. Additional Seminars:
Home Study Ground School Does this school offer a ground school option that allows the student to study at home? These courses typically will use a combination of books, CDs, and DVDs. They have the advantage of often being less expensive than a traditional classroom course and can be learned at a students own pace. The disadvantage is that even though an instructor may be able to review your progress online. They are not physically there to answer any questions that you may have. Home Study Ground School:
Online Home Study Ground School Similar to most home study courses, the online CBT (Computer Based Training) can be done from any device that is connected to the internet. This gives the student even more flexibility into when and where they study. Online Home Study Ground School:

Staff and Amenities
Designated Pilot Examiner on Staff Does the flight school have an examiner on staff. A DPE is an individual that is authorized by the FAA to provide practical exam check-rides (this is the flight test required at the end of your training to receive your certificate or rating). It is almost never a bad thing to have an "in house" examiner that you can ask questions and get to know prior to your exam. Designated Pilot Examiner on Staff:
Dispatcher A dispatcher is an individual that provides scheduling, payment processing, oversight, and other miscellaneous administrative duties at a flight school. Dispatcher:
Online Scheduling Can you schedule instruction or aircraft online without having to contact the flight school or your instructor directly Online Scheduling:
Simulator on Site Is there an FAA approved simulator on site that can be used to log flight training or to maintain pilot currency requirements Simulator on Site:
Computerized Testing On Site Most pilot certificates require you to pass a knowledge exam (often referred to as a "written exam"). These tests are administered using a computer based system at FAA approved locations. Computerized Testing On Site:
WiFi Access Does this school offer WiFi access for its students and customers. WiFi Access:
Pilot Shop Does the flight school have a Pilot Shop to purchase things such as headsets, books, checklists, sectional charts... Pilot Shop:
Pilot Lounge Is there a place for pilots and students to lounge and relax in. Pilot Lounge:
Lodging Available Is local lodging available or nearby for displaced students. Lodging Available:
Training At Your Home Airport Does the flight school provide the service of sending an aircraft and/or an instructor to your local airport to train you? Training At Your Home Airport:
Fleet Maintenance
Line Service Available Line service is a term used to describe individuals who are responsible for looking after the fleet of aircraft between flights. They will typically provide fueling, cleaning, preventative maintenance, and other services that are often over-looked till you find yourself at a location that does not provide them. These individuals are almost always a luxury to have around! Line Service Available:
Maintain their own fleet Does the flight school maintain their own aircraft. Maintain their own fleet:
Contracted Out Does the flight school contract out their aircraft maintenance. Contracted Out:
Aircraft Sales Is the flight school also a dealer for any type of aircraft. Aircraft Sales:
Hangar Space Does this flight school offer space within their hangars to store your aircraft. Hangar Space:
Payment Info
Flying Club Operates as a flying club where members usually are required to pay monthly or yearly dues to gain access and discounts on renting their aircraft. Flying Club:
Renter's Insurance Required Is the student required to carry their own insurance policy as a renter or student? Renter's Insurance Required:
Pre-Pay Benefits Does the flight school offer pre-pay benefits like credits when paying in advance. This is typically a % bonus added onto down payments that you make or a 'block rate' when you purchase a number of hours in advance. Pre-Pay Benefits:
VA Benefits Accepted Students who are active duty, reservist, national guard, veteran or veteran’s dependent (spouse, child) may receive up to 60% of their flight training paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA Benefits Accepted:
Financial Aid Does the flight school offer financial aid to students. Financial Aid:
Visa Do they accept Visa cards Visa:
Mastercard Do they accept Mastercard Mastercard:
American Express Do they accept American Express American Express:
Discover Do they accept Discover credit cards Discover:
Check Do they accept Checks Check:
Cash Do they accept Cash? It may seem incredible, but yes there are flight schools that do not accept cash. For example some university training programs will not take cash on the spot. Cash:
Students and Careers
Accept Foreign M-1 Visa Applicants Does the school sponsor foreign students looking to train under an M-1 Visa. Accept Foreign M-1 Visa Applicants:
Affiliation with a College/University Is the flight school affiliated with a college or university? Can your flight training count for college credits? Affiliation with a College/University:
Bridge Program Is there a bridge program for career oriented student pilots. Bridge programs are in place with typically airlines or charter services that provide an easy and likely route into being a professional pilot. Bridge Program:
Disabled Pilot Training Training specifically designed for the physically disabled individual. With this training an individual who has a physical disability can receive a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SoDA) from the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and are eligible to become a certificated pilot. Typically special flight controls are needed inside the cockpit. Disabled Pilot Training: