Kentucky has several flight schools that offer high-quality training programs to help you fulfill your dream. In this page, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best flight schools in Kentucky, including Kentucky Flight Training Center, Louisville Aviation, and ETL Aviation. Each of these flight schools offers different training programs designed to cater to the needs of both recreational and career pilots.
Whether you’re just starting or you have some experience, these flight schools provide safe and cost-effective training programs to help you achieve your goals.
Best Flight Schools in Kentucky
- Kentucky Flight Training Center
- Louisville Aviation
- ETL Aviation
- Cardinal Wings Aviation
- Nexgen Aviation Jet Management and Flight School
Kentucky Flight Training Center
🗺️2700 Gast Blvd, Louisville, KY 40205
☎️(502) 689-4688
🌐https://flykentucky.com/
Kentucky Flight Training Center (KFTC) offers quality flight training courses for individuals who want to fulfill their dream of becoming a pilot. They have two locations in Louisville, KY, and Madison, IN. KFTC offers a discovery flight that allows individuals to experience flying and determine whether they want to pursue it further.
KFTC’s training courses cater to recreational and career pilots. Their syllabus keeps students on track to achieve their flight goals while minimizing costs. They offer a discount on syllabus, logbooks, Learn to Fly App, aviation headset, and other necessary materials to keep expenses in check.
The flight syllabus and ground courses prepare students for their written exams and practical tests. KFTC maintains its aircraft in excellent condition, ensuring that safety is their top priority.
KFTC offers various courses, including the Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and Flight Instructors. These courses have different requirements, such as age, medical certification, and previous flight experience.
KFTC provides a quality flight training program that is safe and cost-effective. Their experienced instructors and well-maintained aircraft make KFTC an excellent choice for individuals who want to pursue their dream of flying. Contact KFTC today and let them help you achieve your dream.
Programs Offered:
- Private pilot certificate
- Instrument pilot
- Commercial pilot
- Flight instructor
Louisville Aviation
🗺️2700 Gast Blvd, Louisville, KY 40205
☎️(502) 905-8747
🌐https://louisvilleaviation.com/
Louisville Aviation conducts its flight training one-on-one with certified flight instructors using a well-structured syllabus created by the staff and the FAA. The use of ASA products and FAA print materials is an added bonus to the student kit, and the ASA Private Pilot Virtual Course is an excellent supplement to the one-on-one teaching provided by the instructors.
One of the best features of Louisville Aviation is the flexibility offered to students. There is no formal ground school to attend, and flying is scheduled at a time that is most convenient for the student. The instructor meets with the student before and after each flight to discuss the current flight and assign study subjects for the next lesson. This format has proven to be very effective, and it allows students to schedule lessons that fit their needs and desires.
Louisville Aviation also offers a unique opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in aviation. With four part-time instructors who are currently regional airline pilots and a strong network in the airline industry, the flight school is well-positioned to help students achieve their career goals. In fact, over the last two years, eight of their instructors have obtained jobs in the regional airline industry, and five of them went to the same regional airline, creating a pipeline of success. Additionally, if a student’s goal is to become a military pilot, Louisville Aviation is the right place to be. With several active officers in the cockpit and liaisons from all of the service academies, the flight school provides excellent networking opportunities and training preparation that cannot be found elsewhere in Louisville.
Louisville Aviation is also an authorized Sennheiser Headset dealer and an authorized David Clark Headset dealer, which allows them to outfit new students with entry-level headsets or active noise reduction headsets with cell-phone and MP3 input capabilities. The flight school even offers headset demos for the first few lessons to allow students to confirm their commitment to flight training prior to making an initial purchase.
Louisville Aviation is an outstanding flight school that provides excellent flight training and career opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in aviation.
Programs Offered:
- Private pilot
- Commercial pilot
ETL Aviation
🗺️4134B Aviator Rd, Lexington, KY 40510
☎️(859) 800-7080
🌐https://www.etlaviation.com/
ETL Aviation is a helicopter flight training school headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, that offers quality flight training courses. The school prides itself on providing safe and reliable helicopter flight training, and their flight instructors are knowledgeable and friendly, creating a fun and rewarding experience. The primary helicopter trainer used for flight training is the Schweizer 300CB, a safe and reliable helicopter that was used for training U.S. Army pilots for many years. The school offers helicopter flight training courses, such as the Private Helicopter Pilot Course and the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Course.
The Private Helicopter Pilot Course is intended for new pilots who want to start flying as a career or as a hobby or for personal business. The course requires a minimum of 40 hours of total flight time, and the regulatory minimum is 40 hours, but the school’s standard course is 60 hours in length. ETL Aviation provides a fixed price option of $24,170.00 and a pay-as-you-go option of $31,950.00 for the Private Helicopter Pilot Course.
ETL Aviation offers the Standard Helicopter Private Pilot Add-On Rating for pilots who already hold a private rating or higher for fixed-wing airplanes or rotorcraft gyrocopters and want to add a private helicopter rating to their certificate. The program’s standard length is 40 hours, and the regulatory minimum is 30 hours. ETL Aviation provides a fixed price option of $16,080.00 and a pay-as-you-go option of $21,300.00 for the Standard Helicopter Private Pilot Add-On Rating.
According to the reviews provided by ETL Aviation’s students, the aircraft used for flight training is top-notch and meticulously maintained. The flight instructors are knowledgeable, calm, and patient and demonstrate everything properly and in a very understandable way. One student stated that they were amazed at how much they learned in such a short time and how fun the experience was.
ETL Aviation is a reputable helicopter flight training school in central Kentucky that offers quality and safe flight training courses.
Programs Offered:
- Private helicopter pilot course
- Commercial helicopter pilot course
- Professional pilot program
Cardinal Wings Aviation
🗺️2900 Moran Ave, Louisville, KY 40205
☎️(502) 452-2115
🌐https://cardinalwingsaviation.com/
Cardinal Wings Aviation is a flight school based in Louisville, KY, that offers a variety of aviation courses for aspiring pilots. The school is the only Cirrus Certified Training Center in the area, providing the highest level of new pilot and Cirrus transition flight training. All training is conducted at Bowman Field.
The flight school has a fleet of new technologically advanced aircraft, which are used for all courses in aviation. Cardinal Wings Aviation offers courses in private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, certificated flight instructor, and helicopter flight training.
The Private Pilot course is designed for those who want to fly with passengers but not for hire. Cardinal Wings Aviation provides experienced instructors and a structured syllabus to make learning to fly a smooth process. The school’s Instrument Rating course is designed to be more challenging and requires precise aircraft control using references solely by instrumentation.
The Commercial Pilot course is the first step towards a career in aviation, enabling pilots to be paid or compensated while working for a commercial operator. The CFI-CFII-MEI course allows students to teach people to fly and log hours, all while getting paid to have fun flying. The Career Pilot course is designed for individuals with zero time who aspire to become a professional pilot.
Cardinal Wings Aviation also offers Cirrus Transition Training. The school is a Cirrus Standardized Training Center, providing identical training to that which can be received at the Cirrus Design factory in Duluth, Minnesota.
The flight school also offers a Helicopter Private Pilot course, which allows students to fly with passengers, but not for hire. The course is designed to help individuals master the complex machine of helicopters, with experienced instructors and a structured syllabus to make the learning process easier.
Cardinal Wings Aviation is a highly professional flight school with a strong focus on safety and quality training.
Programs Offered:
- Private Pilot Course
- Instrument Rating Course
- Commercial Pilot Course
- CFI – CFII – MEI Course
- Career Pilot Course
- Cirrus Transition Training
- Helicopter Private Pilot Course
Nexgen Aviation Jet Management and Flight School
🗺️4144 Aviator Rd STE 100, Lexington, KY 40510
☎️(859) 281-1177
🌐https://www.flynexgen.com/
Nexgen Aviation Jet Management and Flight School is a professional flight training school that provides a comprehensive pilot training program. The school focuses on creating a unique and dynamic learning environment for its students, offering a real-world training experience that prepares them for all weather conditions, including instrument conditions and challenging landings.
Located at the Lexington Bluegrass airport, the school benefits from a lower traffic Class C airport that allows students to master radio communications with tower and approach controllers. Students can complete their training to become a Commercial Pilot and Certificated Flight Instructor in as little as six to nine months, all while earning a competitive salary as a flight instructor.
The school’s training program is structured to provide a minimum of 40 flight hours and includes training in a simulator program, ground school, stage checks, textbooks, FAA written tests, and practical tests.
The Private Pilot License program is designed to provide a minimum of 40 flight hours, which includes dual and solo aircraft rentals and simulator program training. The Instrument Rating program is designed to provide a minimum of 35 hours of flight time, which includes dual aircraft rentals, FMX simulator program training, and analog or G1000 rental options.
The Commercial Rating program requires a minimum of 120 hours of flight time, which includes training in a complex aircraft such as a single or multi-engine aircraft, that has retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller. Upon completion of the Commercial License program, students can work for an FAA certificated Part 121 or 135 air carrier or any operations for hire that fall under Part 91 rules.
The Instructor Courses offered include the CFI, CFI-I, and MEI courses and are structured to include dual aircraft rentals, FMX simulator program training, advanced stall, spin, and upset training, and more. The total course estimate for the Instructor Courses program is $9,500.
Programs Offered:
- Private pilot license
- Instrument rating
- Commercial pilot rating
- Certified flight instructor courses (CFI, CFI-I, and MEI)
