North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), the oldest community college in the Midwest state, is launching a professional pilot program in the fall.
Laura Wood, dean of agriculture and skilled trades at Mason City, Iowa-based NIACC said the program’s development stemmed from the growing industry need for pilots.
“The launch of our new aviation program was motivated by the industry’s demand for professional pilots and a unique chance to collaborate with [North Iowa Air Service], the Fixed Base Operator [FBO] at Mason City Municipal Airport [KMCW],” said Wood of the classes set to begin in August. “This partnership enables us to utilize experienced flight instructors and existing aircraft for flight training. The program embodies our mission to provide high-quality, career-focused education in innovative and cost-effective ways.”
Enrollment Now Open
NIACC’s aviation professional pilot associate of applied science (AAS) degree program offers a fall semester start, and the inaugural class is limited to 15 students so that they can progress through training in a timely manner.
In addition, Iowa offers a wide variety of weather that can help the students become more comfortable safely flying in wind, rain, and low visibility, helping them develop the real-world skills needed to be professional pilots.
“Maintaining a manageable cohort size allows us to prioritize safety, individualized instruction, and scheduling efficiency,” said Wood. “As the program grows, there is potential to expand enrollment in the future, especially with North Iowa Air Service operating multiple locations that could support additional capacity. Our focus remains on delivering a high-quality experience for each student from day one.”
“Training will be conducted under Part 141, which was a key part of what made our collaboration with North Iowa Air Service so valuable,” Wood added. “They became an FAA-certified Part 141 Flight School in 2023 and are one of only five in the state of Iowa. Partnering with an established Part 141 provider not only added credibility to the program but also allowed us to move more quickly through the planning and approval process.”
Through a combination of coursework and flight training, the program will enable students to pursue the following certificates and ratings:
- Private pilot certificate
- Instrument rating
- Commercial pilot certificate
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
- Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII)
- Ground instructor certificate
- Multiengine rating
The program begins with the private, instrument, and single-engine commercial tickets, according to Todd Kyle, president and chief pilot of North Iowa Air Service, utilizing the FBO’s two Piper Warriors.
“We have three locations in the state of Iowa, and a DPE [Designated Pilot Examiner] on staff,” Kyle said. “Currently Mason City is Part 61, and [our] Part 141 program will be geared toward the professional pilots.”
Kyle noted he is an NIACC graduate, as was his father, so he feels a strong kinship with the school and is pleased the Mason City FBO will be providing the flight training for the next generation of pilots.
School officials pointed out that creating the program took a great deal of coordination as it is the first aviation degree offered by the college. In addition to developing an internal curriculum, school officials had to work with external organizations, such as the flight school and FAA.
“There has also been a learning curve as we build our own internal expertise,” Wood said. “Established programs often run on well-developed systems, but launching something new is a reminder of how much thoughtful planning and collaboration it takes to get things running smoothly from day one.”
More information about the NIACC aviation program or a way to apply can be found here.
About NIACC
North Iowa Area Community College is the state’s first public two-year college, with a legacy dating back to 1918.
NIACC offers more than 35 academic programs, on-campus housing, and a full range of student life opportunities. The school focuses on hands-on learning, transfer pathways, and workforce readiness, maintaining a 98 percent employment rate among career and technical graduates.
More information on NICAA can be found here.
