Tennessee is home to 2 flight schools featured in our nationwide flight schools guide.
It’s a smaller field than the major training hubs, but the programs profiled below are credible options worth a closer look, particularly if you’d prefer to train without relocating.
Among our list of the top 2 Tennessee flight schools, 2 hold Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 141 certifications. This means their curriculum is FAA-approved and they require fewer flight hours for the commercial certificate.
All Flight Schools in Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace
Murfreesboro, TN
Best for: Students seeking a fast-growing program with one of the largest Diamond fleets in collegiate aviation and a deep Delta Air Lines partnership
Based in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace is a four-year aviation university, certified under FAA Part 141 and accredited by AABI. Worth knowing: Pro Pilot enrollment grew from ~450 to ~900 students 2015–2023.
- Tuition & fees
- Tuition ~$30,000/yr per pilot-colleges.com (varies by residency). Flight lab fees billed per course; substantial. VA benefits cover required hours; additional hours student-funded.
- Program length
- 4-year B.S. Pro Pilot students start flying first or second semester. R-ATP credit up to 500 hours toward the 1,500-hour requirement.
- Fleet
- 45 training aircraft (2024 reporting): primarily Diamond DA40s (~30+, with 8 added in 2023; 20 with Garmin G1000 + GFC Automated Flight Control + Synthetic Vision); Piper PA-44 Seminoles (5, with 2 added recently); Diamond DA20; Piper Super Cub.
- Airline partnerships
- Delta Air Lines Collegiate Pilot Career Path (Propel), conditional employment offers while in training. GI Bill / VA benefits accepted.
- Job placement
- Graduates fly for every major US airline + dozens of regional and corporate operators.
- Online options
- Limited, primary delivery in-person.
Spring City Aviation
Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, TN
Best for: Students wanting Tennessee Part 141 training in metro Knoxville
Based in Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, TN, Spring City Aviation is an independent flight academy, certified under FAA Part 141. Airline pathways: Standard regional pipelines.
- Airline partnerships
- Standard regional pipelines.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Specifics not published. Contact the school directly for current tuition, program length, and fleet details.
Nearby Results
A few notable programs in neighboring states for readers willing to travel.
Middle Georgia State University, School of Aviation
GeorgiaEastman, GA
How Much Is Aviation School in Tennessee?
Not every school in Tennessee publishes their tuition publicly, and reported figures vary widely depending on whether the school lists annual tuition, total program cost, or full cost of attendance. Four-year university programs run around $120,000. Below are the schools with figures we could verify.
| School | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace | ~$30,000/yr |
How Long Is Pilot School in Tennessee?
Pilot training in Tennessee typically runs about 4 years, based on the schools profiled below that publish a specific timeline. Not every school publishes a specific timeline. The schools below are the ones that do.
| School | Program length |
|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace | 4 years |
How to Choose a Flight School in Tennessee
Choosing a flight school in Tennessee comes down to matching the program to your goal (airline pilot, corporate, helicopter, instructor) and your timeline. Use the considerations below to narrow the list.
- Decide between a degree and an accelerated certificate. Four-year aviation universities (like Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace) pair flight training with a bachelor’s degree but take longer and cost more. Accelerated academies (like Spring City Aviation) skip the degree and aim to get you to the airlines in 9 to 18 months.
- Confirm FAA Part 141 vs. Part 61. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-approved structured syllabus, which lets you finish the commercial certificate in fewer hours. Part 61 schools are more flexible but require more total flight time. Most Tennessee schools profiled here (including Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace and Spring City Aviation) hold Part 141 certification.
- Check for airline pathway access. If you’re aiming straight at a commercial airline job, look for schools with formal partnerships (such as Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace). These programs typically include a conditional job offer or interview guarantee once you hit hours and ratings benchmarks.
- Confirm financial aid eligibility. 2 of the 2 Tennessee schools below participate in federal financial aid programs, which matters because flight training is one of the most expensive vocational paths in the country. VA benefits, scholarships, and tuition rebates can offset substantial portions of cost.
- Visit the campus or do a discovery flight. Tuition, fleet size, and partnerships are easy to compare on paper, but program culture, instructor quality, and weather-driven flight cancellations are not. A campus visit and a short intro flight are the fastest way to read a school before you commit to a multi-year investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flight Schools in Tennessee
Why choose a flight school in Tennessee?
Choosing a flight school in Tennessee keeps you close to 2 programs featured in our guide. Local schools matter because flight training is hour-intensive. Staying in-state keeps housing costs down and makes campus visits feasible while you choose.
Do any aviation schools in Tennessee offer job placement?
Yes, at least one flight school in Tennessee publishes job-placement data. Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace reports placement outcomes for its graduates. Other schools in the list below may track placement internally without publishing it. Ask each program for current numbers when you compare.
What if a school doesn't offer FAA Part 141?
If a school doesn’t offer FAA Part 141, it most likely operates under Part 61. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-audited syllabus and let students earn the commercial certificate in fewer total flight hours (typically 190 hours versus 250 hours under Part 61). Part 61 schools are more flexible and often cheaper hour-for-hour, but they require more total time to reach the same ratings. All Tennessee schools profiled below hold Part 141 certification.
Is financial aid available for Tennessee aviation programs?
Yes, financial aid is available for Tennessee aviation programs. 2 of the 2 schools profiled here participate in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), and many also offer institutional scholarships, VA / GI Bill benefits, or partner financing through Sallie Mae or similar lenders. Examples include Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Aerospace and Spring City Aviation. Aid eligibility varies by program type. Community college and university degrees usually qualify, while standalone Part 141 academies are case-by-case.
Do any Tennessee flight schools offer online or distance learning?
Yes, some Tennessee flight schools offer online ground school and academic coursework, though flight training itself is always in-person. Schools that publish online options include Spring City Aviation. If you’re balancing work or family commitments, asking about online ground school and weekend flight blocks is a useful filter.
