Flight School
Experience the American Winds Difference!
The following are just a few things that distinguish American Winds from other flight training institutions!
- Open Enrollment
- You can train either under part 141 or part 61 – Get Fast-Tracked to a commercial pilot!
- Part 141 flight school meets rigorous training standards established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Our one-and-a-half-year program is the fastest route to a lifelong career in aviation. Commercial airlines prefer hiring candidates with a degree which means you may be hired sooner than someone without a degree.
- Associate Degree approved by the FAA for the Restricted ATP hiring minimums
for the airlines. - Small class size and individualized instruction vs. competing for time and attention among 100+ students.
- Training in all-season weather; students gain invaluable experience learning to fly in all conditions.
- We offer quality aircraft that are maintained on-site, ATD flight training device, online general academic courses and in-person ground school offered 5 times a year. Each session lasts 9 weeks.
No training delays! Open 7 days a week! Full time flight instructors. Online scheduling and aircraft available year-round.
Remember We Are Open 24/7!!
Available Courses
American Winds is an FAA certified Flight School as well as being an accredited and licensed educational institute. What does that mean for you? Students at American Winds have the option to train two different ways. The first option is to take an induvial course from the Flight School. An FAA Certificate or Rating is awarded upon completion of each course. The second option is to enroll in one of our 5 accredited programs, which is a collection of courses, culminating to a graduation with an Associates Degree in Applied Science.
The Federal Aviation Administration calls individuals with the authorization to fly an aircraft (airplane, helicopter, etc.) in approved airspace, pilot certificates. Additional privileges are called ratings. Pilot certificates and ratings are issued by the FAA only. A flight school (American Winds) does not have the authority to issue pilot certificates. The FAA can give authorization to an individual or entities to act upon behalf of the FAA to issue pilot certificates. Example: Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE’s). However, American Wind has not been granted such authority. American Winds issues certificates of completion or graduation certificates for a course or program. American Winds certificates are NOT pilot certificates. As previously stated, this is where the academic world uses the word “certificate” in a different meaning than the FAA. The accrediting bodies assume when American Winds issues a certificate it gives the student authority to exercise pilot privileges. However, it only shows students received the required training for an authorized FAA instructor to endorse a student’s logbook. In world of aviation, it is the FAA who holds the power and authority not the flight school. Hence, the two meanings of the word “certificate.”
Students may elect to train under Part 61 or Part 141 operations. An approximate timeframe may be given for each course, due to weather restrictions, academic knowledge and flight skills required, each course may be completed in less time if all academic course requirements and flight requirements are met. Veterans may use benefits such as Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and Montgomery G.I. Bill on courses after Private Pilot. These courses are marked with a $. An FAA Certificate or Rating is awarded upon completion of each course.
- Obtain at least a 3rd Class Medical
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
- Must be a Citizen of the United States (or obtain TSA approval before training)
- Be at least 17 years old (you may begin your training at any age)
- Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test
- Pass an oral test and a check ride
- Log the minimum flight hours listed below in flowchart
Initial or Add – on
The student will obtain the academic knowledge, flight skills and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements for an instrument rating for the initial or add on. This rating allows the pilot to operate an airplane into instrument meteorological conditions. This means the pilot will operate in reduced visibility, near and in clouds for longer and more varied flights. The knowledge gained from being able to fly an aircraft solely with instruments adds confidence and ability to your growing experience. FAA minimum requirements:- Hold at least a current private pilot or be currently applying for a private pilot certificate
- Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language
- Log the minimum flight hours listed below in flowchart
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a Private Pilot certificate
- Pass a 100-question aeronautical knowledge written test
- Pass an oral test and check ride
- Log the minimum required flight hours listed below in the flow chart
- Be at least 18 years old
- Must hold a valid 3rd class medical
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
- Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP
- Pass the FAA knowledge test
- Pass FAA practical flight test and oral exam
- Must possess a commercial certificate
- Must possess an instrument rating on his/her pilot certificate
- Pass the Flight Instructor Instrument written examination
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Hold at least a certified flight instructor certificate (airplane).
- Hold at least a commercial certificate for multi-engine airplanes.
- Be able to read speak, and understand the English language.
- Obtain at least a second-class FAA medical certificate.
- Pass the FAA practical flight test.
- Must be at least 23 years old
- 1,500 Hours for fixed wing or 1,200 for helicopters
- 500 hours of cross-country flight time
- 100 hours of night flight time
- 75 hours of instrument flight time (simulated or actual)
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
- Must hold an Instrument rating
- Pass Written Exam
- Cross Country reduced to 200 hours
- Total flight time is reduced to
- 750 Hours for former Military pilots
- 1,000 hours for graduates of university bachelors degree programs
- 1,250 for graduates of university associate degree program
AVAILABLE COURSES: Multi-Engine Land (MEL) Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) ATP-SEL Military Transition
