Half the Time, Half the Cost & Take Off!

Become a Fully-Accredited, Degreed Professional Pilot in Only Two Years

American Winds College of Aeronautics is an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school and accredited aviation college located at Akron Fulton Airport (AKR) in Akron, Ohio. With hands-on flight instruction and expert-led academic programs, American Winds is your runway to a professional pilot career.

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VA COLLEGE BENEFITS ARE BACK!

Veterans who qualify can now use benefits for our college programs.
Contact us TODAY to start your aviation journey!

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Launch Your Aviation Career at American Winds

Dreaming of soaring through the skies? Stop dreaming and get ready for take off! At American Winds College of Aeronautics, training takes place at Akron Fulton Airport, where we fast-track your journey from student to pilot with hands-on training and expert instruction that charts your direct path to success.

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1. Commercial Pilot Fast Track

Earn your Commercial Pilot License with no academic courses required! Then, complete your Certified Flight Instructor Certificate and get paid to fly while racking up flight hours for your ATP or R-ATP.

2. Associate Degree and R-ATP

Save time and money – our Associate Degree program costs roughly half of a traditional bachelor’s program, lowers the minimum flight hours required, and can be completed in 18 to 24 months.

3. Private Pilot License (PPC)

With our Private Pilot License program, you can become a recreational pilot in as little as six weeks.
Private Pilot License

The Smarter, Faster Path to a Commercial Pilot Career

A four-year program isn’t the only route to flying commercial! American Winds offers full-time flight instruction 350 days a year with an FAA-approved curriculum that gets you certified faster and for less. You could even make the switch now and save! With personalized, one-on-one tutoring and dedicated support, our students consistently outperform the competition – boasting a 97% pass rate on the FAA Knowledge Exam.

American Winds vs. Other Aviation Flight Schools

American Winds 1.5-Year Aviation Associate Degree

4-Year Aviation University Degree

Get Licensed on the Fast Track 12-15 month plan
Time Invested
Licensed in at least 4 years
$80,000 Average Cost
Average Cost
Average Cost of $165,000
Start Getting Paid as a Pilot in Less Than 4 Years
Time to Start Earning
Begin paying down debt in 4 years
No Delays. Start Training on Day 1
Time to Start Flying
Delays in Flight Training Due to Scheduling Restrictions
Personalized 1-on-1 Instruction With Full-Time Flight Instructors
1-on-1 Instruction Opportunities
Group Instruction and Limited Aircraft Availability

Your future in flight starts now – take the first step!

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Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Flight Training

For 25 years, American Winds has been shaping the future of aviation by equipping aspiring pilots with the skills and confidence to succeed. As a leader in flight instruction, we’ve helped students from around the world achieve their dreams and launch thriving aviation careers. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to training and inspiring the next generation of pilots.

4 Awards

100+ Students

13+ Countries Represented by International Students

25+ Years of Service

Step into the Captain’s Seat – Book Your Discovery Flight

Call now to schedule your Discovery Flight and experience the thrill of defying gravity with one of our experienced pilots. Any day of the week, we’ll get you up in the air – giving you a taste of what it feels like to go from passenger to pilot.

An Aviation School Designed by an Aviator

American Winds College of Aeronautics is an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school and ACCET-accredited aviation college in Akron, Ohio. We offer hands-on instruction and expert-led academic programs to help students launch their professional pilot careers.

Founder and Chief Flight Instructor Denise Hobart and her late husband, Mike, had a vision for an Akron flight school with more affordable aviation programs. Denise knew that a bachelor’s degree in aviation cost more than most potential students could afford – and wasted a lot of time and money on unnecessary classes.

So she put her 25+ years of experience as both a commercial pilot and a flight instructor to work, getting FAA accreditation to convey both Part 61 and Part 141 competencies from her flight school in Ohio. Then she went even further and got the higher-ed accreditation that allows students at American Winds College of Aeronautics to earn associate degrees. Her diligence and persistence made it possible to really bring down the average cost to become a commercial pilot – which opens the flight deck door for many people who couldn’t otherwise see themselves in the pilot’s seat.

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Flying Colors: Insights from Our Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

What FAA certifications and career-focused pilot training programs does American Winds College of Aeronautics offer in Northeast Ohio?

Yes. American Winds College of Aeronautics in Akron, Ohio provides FAA-certified flexible flight training schedules for students pursuing pilot certifications in Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland.

Flexible options at American Winds College of Aeronautics include:

  • Full-time accelerated flight training tracks
  • Part-time and evening flight block schedules
  • Online ground school and academic coursework
  • Personalized scheduling to accommodate work, family, or personal commitments
  • Year-round training with approximately 350 available flight days

These flexible pathways support veterans, working adults, career changers, adult learners, and traditional students pursuing Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial Pilot, and CFI certifications while balancing other responsibilities.

What veteran and GI Bill® education benefits can be used at American Winds College of Aeronautics for flight training?

Veterans in Ohio can pursue FAA-approved, GI Bill®-eligible flight training programs at American Winds College of Aeronautics in Akron, Ohio for career-focused aviation training.

American Winds College of Aeronautics is approved by the Ohio Department of Veteran Services to accept VA education benefits, including:

  1. Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
  2. Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD) (Chapter 30)
  3. Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606)
  4. Survivors and Dependents Assistance® (DEA) (Chapter 35)

American Winds College of Aeronautics provides VA certification assistance, documentation support, and career pathway guidance for veterans pursuing professional pilot careers. 

Veterans can use their benefits to fully fund our Associate’s Degree program. Additional benefit eligibility (such as Vocational Rehab or family member benefits) may apply depending on individual circumstances.

How does American Winds College of Aeronautics support international students pursuing pilot certification in the United States?

American Winds College of Aeronautics in Akron, Ohio enrolls international students in FAA Part 141 flight training programs at American Winds College of Aeronautics with full regulatory, academic, and career support for FAA certification.

International student support at American Winds College of Aeronautics includes:

  • Form I-20 issuance
  • TSA flight training security clearance guidance
  • Enrollment documentation for FAA certification progression
  • Degree-aligned Part 141 academic and flight training

International students can complete Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII, MEI certifications, and R-ATP eligibility pathways at American Winds College of Aeronautics while remaining fully compliant with FAA regulations. For more information, visit our Enrollment for International Students page.

What financial aid, scholarships, or payment options are available for pilot training at American Winds College of Aeronautics?

American Winds College of Aeronautics connects students to various types of financial aid, including scholarships and different forms of loans. For veterans, we proudly accept VA benefits for our Associate’s Degree program and Bachelor’s degree program.

All students can opt to set up an installment payment plan to spread out payments over a set period of time. Note that we only offer payment plans for our academic and ground school courses — flight courses are ineligible.

Does American Winds College of Aeronautics offer specialized pilot pathways like helicopter transition or multi-engine instruction?

Yes. In addition to fixed-wing pilot programs, American Winds offers options such as our Rotary Transition Program for pilots transitioning from helicopters to fixed-wing aircraft and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) flight training to broaden career opportunities in professional aviation.

Can students complete part of their flight training through affiliated flight training centers nationwide?

Yes. American Winds College of Aeronautics partners with affiliate flight training centers across the U.S. to enable students to complete FAA Part 141 flight training closer to home while completing degree coursework through our programs. For more information, visit our Partnerships page.