Getting Started
American Winds trains tomorrow’s pilots today! Our sole focus is to train individuals to have a career in aviation as a professional pilot, whether they fly for the airlines or in general aviation.
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. More information about induvial courses can be found here. 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. More information about our accredited programs can be found here.
To begin the enrollment process for the college program, please fill out the following form and send to admissions@americanwinds.edu.
2023 COLLEGE Enrollment Form
If you wish to enroll in the flight school only, please fill out the following form and send to admissions@americanwinds.edu
2023 FLIGHT SCHOOL Enrollment Form
- Valid Driver’s License (with current address)
- Valid Passport (with current address)
- Birth Certificate
- Completed/Signed Enrollment Agreement
- Renters Insurance
- Credit Card
- FAA Aviation Medical (make an appointment)
- Student Pilot Certificate (see below)
- Flight Equipment (to be ordered)
Approximate Cost
- Fuel Tester………………………… $6.50
- Kneeboard…………………………. $14.00
- Log Book…………………………… $9.00
- Flight Computer………………… $25.00
- Plotter……………………………….. $7.00
- Headset…………………………….. $110.00
- Flight Bag (optional)……………. $32.00
- Operator’s Handbook………….. depends on aircraft
- Aircraft Checklist ……………….. depends on aircraft
- Detroit Sectional Map…………. $8.50
Total $212.00
Registering on the IACRA Site
- Click the [Register] link near the top right of IACRA home page
- You must use the Applicant role to apply for a new certificate, or to modify an existing certificate
- Check the [Applicant] box, then agree to the Terms of Service (TOS) and continue
- On the IACRA User Profile Information page, please enter all the information.
- If you don’t have an existing certificate just leave that section blank.
- Use your full legal name, including any suffix
IMPORTANT NOTE : This name must match the name on your Knowledge Test (if test was taken). - Please enter a valid email address. IACRA will use it for important notifications.
- Create a user name and strong password. Please write user name and password down.
- Click [Register]
- If there is any required information missing, there will be error messages.
- IACRA will display your FTN (FAA Tracking Number). Please write this number down; it will also be emailed to you. This number is your unique identifier, and for most application types you must provide it to your Instructor and/or Certifying Officer to complete an application.
If you start an Airman application, additional personal information will be required (residential address, height, weight, etc.)
Starting a Student Application
- Login to IACRA with your username and password. If you don’t remember them, follow the “Forgot Username or Password” link.
- Applicant Console
- You can start a Student Pilot application once you turn 13 years old, but you can’t complete it until you’re within 90 days of your 14th birthday, or older
- From the Applicant Console, you can start new applications and view any existing applications. Click [Start New Application]
- Select [Pilot] from the Application Type dropdown list. This will now show the different types of pilot certificates IACRA has available.
- Click on [Student Pilot]. There is no other information required to start a student application, so click [Start Application].
Student Application Process
- The Application Process page will open, and the Personal Information section will be open. This section will be prepopulated with the information you entered when you registered. If no changes are needed, click the green [Save & Continue] button in the bottom of this section.
- The Certificate Held section will open. Answer the English Language and Drug Conviction questions. If you have a medical certificate enter it, but it is not required for Student pilots. Click [Save & Continue].
- The Basis of Issuance section will open. There is no information needed in this section so click [Save & Continue].
- The Pilot Time section will open. There is no information needed in this section so click [Save & Continue].
- The Review and Submit section will open.
- Answer the Denied Certificate question.
- Summary information info will be displayed.
- You must view the Privacy Act and Review your application before you can submit your application. Click [Submit Application].
- Your application is NOT complete at this point. On your next meeting with your Flight Instructor (also known as a Recommending Instructor (RI) in IACRA) you will complete the process. You must bring valid photo ID to that meeting.
Certifying Process
- On your next meeting with your Flight Instructor, they will look you up using your FTN and they will start the Certifying Checklist.
- Your Flight Instructor will verify your identity and enter ID information. They will also verify your English Language Proficiency and that you meet minimum Student Age requirements.
- After reviewing the application together, your Flight Instructor will verify that you have reviewed the Privacy Act and the Pilot Bill of Rights.
- You (the applicant) will enter your username and password and then electronically sign the Pilot’s Bill of Rights Acknowledgement and the Student Pilot application.
- Your Flight Instructor will reenter their credentials to continue the Checklist.
- Your Flight Instructor will sign and complete your application.
- The temporary Student Pilot certificate will be available on the Applicant Console after both these conditions are met:
- You are at least 14 years old
- You have been successfully vetted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- Your application will now be electronically sent to the FAA Airman Certification branch.
- Your permanent certificate will arrive by mail in approximately three weeks.
What class of medical certificate must I hold and how long is it valid?
FIRST CLASS: Required to exercise the privileges of an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. If the holder of the first-class medical is an airline transport pilot, the medical is valid for six (6) calendar months. If the airmen is age 40 or older on or before the date of examination, the medical is valid for six (6) calendar months. If the holder of the first-class medical is NOT an airline transport pilot and has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination, the first-class medical is valid for 12 calendar months. Please note: our academic programs require students to hold a current, valid First-Class Medical Certificate.
SECOND CLASS: Required for commercial, non-airline duties (e.g., crop dusters, corporate pilots, etc.) and is valid for one (1) year plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination (12 calendar months). Those exercising the privileges of a Flight Engineer Certificate, a Flight Navigator Certificate, or acting as air traffic control tower operator must hold a Second-Class Medical Certificate.
THIRD CLASS: Required to exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate, Recreational Pilot Certificate, a Flight Instructor Certificate, or a Student Pilot Certificate. A third-class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue; plus 24 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate, if the airman is age 40 or older on or before the date of the examination, or 60 calendar months for operations requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination.
What do I have to do to get a medical certificate?
To obtain a Medical Certificate you must be examined by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME):
1) Set up an online account with FAA MedXPress to complete the initial portion of your application online. Information entered into MedXPress is available to your FAA-designated AME for review at the time of your medical examination.
2) Schedule an appointment with the AME of your choice. Click here to locate an AME near you. At your scheduled appointment, the AME will complete your medical examination and the remainder of the FAA application form. If you meet the required medical standards, the AME will issue you a medical certificate.
Dr. Anne M. Carrol 35036 Cannon Road Bentleyville, OH 44022 216-831-3494 |
Dr. Glenn J. Novak 51 Westchester Youngstown, OH 44515 330-799-1718 |
Dr. Martin Hendrickson 1860 State Road Suite C Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 330-733-4031 |
Dr. Richard J. Reichert 7054 Mears Gate Drive NW North Canton, OH 44720 330-904-9483 |
Dr. Richard S. Lang 9500 Euclid Avenue Suite A-11 Cleveland, OH 44195 216-444-6842 |
Dr. Norbert P. Schutte 7750 Mentor Avenue Suite 100 Mentor, OH 44060 440-946-7766 |
Dr. Donald E. Long 551 Washington Street Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 440-893-9393 |
Dr. Ivan Santoso 3333 Massilon Road Akron, OH 44312 330-896-3036 |
Dr. Michael J. Marvin 4650 Hills & Dales Road Canton, OH 44708 330-491-9675 |
Dr. Todd M. Zeiger 5133 Ridge Road Wadsworth, OH 44281 330-239-4455 |
Per Ohio Administrative Code Section 3332-1-09, All College Program Students will be shown a 5 minute video that will disclose to you your rights as a student in the State of Ohio.