FAQs

Admission & Eligibility

What are the admission requirements for the aviation program?
You must be admitted to Coe College and meet FAA eligibility requirements for flight training. Admission to Coe does not automatically guarantee entry into the flight program. Learn more about admission requirements.

Do I need previous flight experience to apply?
No prior flight experience is required. Students begin flight training in their first term. While not required, we encourage prospective students to schedule a discovery flight to confirm their interest in aviation.

Are there age or citizenship requirements to begin flight training?
Students must be at least 16 for their first solo flight and 17 at the time of their Private Pilot certification. U.S. citizens need a valid passport or birth certificate and driver’s license. International students must complete TSA clearance.

Can international students participate in the flight program?
Yes, provided they meet FAA and TSA eligibility requirements.

Can transfer students apply to the flight program?
Yes, it is possible for students to transfer previously completed coursework into Coe's program. Transfer students should complete their Transfer Student Application and work through Coe's Admission Office if they have specific questions about transfer credit. The coursework will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, following established Coe policies.

What is the process for obtaining FAA medical certification?
Students must obtain a valid FAA medical certificate prior to orientation. We recommend obtaining a First-Class Medical. Learn more about FAA medical certificates.

Curriculum & Flight Training

What degree is being offered?
Students studying aviation at Coe can choose between a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with an aviation management concentration or a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with an aviation management & flight operations concentration. The aviation management & flight operations concentration is designed for students who aspire to be professional pilots, as it includes flight training for various pilot certificates and ratings. The aviation management concentration is designed for students who want to work in the aviation industry in a role other than piloting.

When will I start flying?
Flight training begins in your first term, enabling a hands-on experience from day one. 

How many times per week will I fly?
Students typically complete 3-4 flight sessions per week, depending on course requirements, weather and individual availability. 

How many flight hours will I complete each semester?
Flight hours vary by course and student pace, but your schedule is designed to steadily build hours toward pilot certificates or ratings each semester.

What types of aircraft will I train in?
Students train in Piper Warriors (single-engine) and Piper Aztec or Seminole (multi-engine) aircraft.

How is flight training integrated with my business degree?
Aviation courses are scheduled alongside business core courses so you progress toward your Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration while pursuing professional flight training.

Is it possible to double major or pursue a minor while at Coe?
For most students, completing the business administration major with the aviation management & flight operations concentration will leave little room for pursuing a double major or a minor. Students interested in double majoring or completing a minor should talk with their academic advisor in their first term about the feasibility of doing this. Students pursuing the business major with an aviation management concentration without flight training will have more flexibility to double major or pursue a minor.

Can students seeking admission as an aviation management & flight operations student transfer coursework to Coe?
Yes, it is possible for students to transfer previously completed coursework into Coe's program. Transfer students should work through Coe's Admission Office if they have specific questions about transfer credit. The coursework will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, following established Coe policies.

• The previous coursework, whether taken in high school through a dual-credit program with a regionally accredited college/university or as a college student at a regionally accredited college/university, might transfer as general education equivalents, major/concentration equivalents or credit toward graduation. 
• If the completed coursework includes any courses required for Coe's programs in aviation, however, policies specific to our aviation programs will impact what Coe will accept in transfer. Generally speaking, the number of business and aviation management courses accepted in transfer toward the degree will be limited. In addition, students in the aviation management & flight operations program will be expected to complete all flight operations courses beyond private pilot at Coe. 
• Private pilot credit will be accepted only after the student has a private pilot license (PPL). Students must hold a valid PPL before starting any higher-level flight operations courses at Coe.

Can students take flight courses and earn a Coe degree focused on aviation management & flight operations if they already have an undergraduate degree from another college or university?
Yes, those who already have a completed bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school can apply to be a second-degree student at Coe. To earn the degree in business administration with a concentration in aviation management & flight operations, second-degree students would need to complete at least 40% of the major and concentration courses at Coe. Policies related to aviation management and flight operations courses may also affect the number of courses a student would need to take when completing the degree at Coe. The previous coursework of each second-degree applicant will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Facilities & Resources

Where does flight training take place?
All flight training occurs at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), within 15 minutes from campus, in Coe’s Aeronautical Field Station. 

What simulators are available for student use?
Students use the RedBird TD2 flight simulator, which replicates a range of aircraft systems, flight conditions and emergency scenarios.

How many students does each Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) work with?
Each of our flight instructors works with approximately 5 Coe flight operations students, ensuring personalized instruction and guidance.

What safety measures are in place during flight training?
All aircraft are maintained to FAA standards, instructors follow FAA-approved syllabi and every flight includes preflight briefings and safety procedures.

Cost & Financial Aid

Is flight training included in tuition?
Flight training costs are separate from tuition. Students pay for flight hours and simulator time through their My.Coe portal. Questions regarding cost can be directed to the Coe College Office of Admission.

What additional costs should I expect for flight hours, simulator time or materials?
Students are required to purchase additional materials and supplies to support their flight training. A full itemized list will be provided. Before new-student orientation, students are required to purchase an iPad mini, kneeboard and logbook. Simulator hours are billed hourly and are available for purchase in the student’s My.Coe account.

Are scholarships or financial aid available for aviation students?
Admitted students are eligible for scholarship opportunities towards their bachelor’s degree and direct cost of attendance.

Outside scholarships are available for students seeking a career in aviation. Questions regarding payment options and additional information can be directed to the Coe College Office of Admission.

Can a 529 Plan cover flight operations training costs? 
Some plans may have certain restrictions. Students should contact their plan provider to see if their 529 plan can help pay for expenses associated with flight training. 

Can students keep their scholarships if they drop out of the flight operations training portion of the program? 
Students can keep their Coe scholarships and grants awarded based on pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Coe. The financial aid offer letter will disclose the annual direct costs (tuition, housing and meal plan) of a student’s undergraduate degree and the associated Coe scholarships and grants. Furthermore, flight operations students will also receive an annual flight training cost addendum that clearly outlines the expenses for flight operations training.

Internships & Career Opportunities

What internship opportunities are available at the Eastern Iowa Airport or local aviation businesses?
CID offers a 10-week paid internship in airport management, giving students hands-on experience across multiple departments. Interns interact with Administration, Facilities, Guest Services, Maintenance and the Public Safety Department. Part-time work opportunities are also available at the airport, depending on availability.

What careers are available after graduation?
Immediately following graduation, most flight operations students will work as flight instructors in order to accumulate enough flying hours to qualify for an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate. Others might work as pilots for aerial imaging, crop dusting, pipeline control, aerial advertising or skydiving companies, for example. An ATP certificate is required to fly for passenger or cargo airlines. To qualify for an ATP certificate, a pilot must meet age and experience requirements, typically 23 years old with a minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time. However, if students graduate from a four-year college with an FAA-approved degree in aviation, they will be eligible to qualify a restricted ATP at age 21 with 1,000 hours of total flight time — after passing the ATP knowledge test and practical test. Coe has begun the process of applying for FAA-approval to certify aviation management & flight operations students for reduced flight time. Coe students will likely complete 250-350 flight hours if they complete all of the flight courses at Coe. Students may, however, opt to arrange to earn more flight hours prior to graduation.

How does Coe support job placement for pilots or aviation management students?
Coe provides career advising, internship placement and a strong local aviation network to help graduates launch their careers.

Program Logistics & Student Life

How is transportation to the airport for flight training handled?
Students are responsible for commuting to the Eastern Iowa Airport. Parking and study spaces are available at the Aeronautical Field Station. Cedar Rapids public transportation offers a bus route to the airport, and all Coe students are able to ride the bus for free with valid Coe identification. The airport is located within 10 miles from Coe's campus.

Can I participate in flight training year-round, including summer?
Flight training is scheduled during the academic year, and summer sessions are available for students to maintain proficiency and seek additional hours.

How do weather delays affect flight schedules?
Flight schedules are flexible, instructors adjust lesson times for weather and safety conditions.

How many students are in each cohort?
Cohort size is typically 30-35 students, allowing for low student-to-instructor ratio and personalized attention.

Can students participate in clubs or student aviation organizations?
Yes! Aviation students are encouraged to get involved in over 100+ clubs and organizations offered on campus. The program also has a student-run club, CoePilots, which meets regularly to discuss current aviation topics, share resources and provide study group support for flight curriculum.

Can students balance this program while also being a student-athlete?
Yes, provided that students are organized and are able to manage busy schedules well. There occasionally may be times when sports competitions and scheduled classes conflict. Students would need to communicate with their coaches and their course instructors to determine what to do in these situations.

Certificates & Outcomes

Does Coe College currently have Part 141 certification?
Coe has Part 141 certification for private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot ground courses. Through our partnership with ATD Flight Systems, students will take Part 141-certified flight courses. 

Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) is a certification process for flight schools that train professional pilots. The process establishes standardized training methods and requirements for rigorous training, and ensures schools meet prescribed standards for equipment, facilities, personnel and curriculum. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regularly reviews Part 141 schools to ensure they provide quality training, meeting FAA standards.

Part 141 training sets lower minimum flight hours for certificates and ratings (as compared to Part 61 training), allowing most students to complete their training in a shorter period of time. This can lead to substantial cost savings for students. Most Part 141 students work on flight training full time compared to Part 61 students who often need more flexible training because of their careers, jobs or other obligations.

Does Coe’s aviation program meet FAA standards?
Yes, Coe’s aviation curriculum is FAA Part 141 approved.

Is the aviation program accredited by the Higher Learning Commission?
Yes. 

Which pilot certificates and ratings can I earn through Coe’s program?
Students earn Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine ratings, and can also pursue Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) credentials.

• Private Pilot: These courses teach students to fly. After completing the courses and passing the FAA’s written exam and checkride, students have a private pilot certificate (license). This certificate allows students to fly in good weather during daylight hours, avoiding clouds.
• Instrument Rating: These courses teach students to fly by relying on the plane’s instruments, rather than only on sight. After earning this rating, students will be able to fly through clouds, in bad weather and at night.
• Commercial: In these courses, students learn more about aircraft systems, aerodynamics, weather and navigation, as well as learning to finesse flying maneuvers. Earning a commercial certificate allows students to be paid to fly and opens the door to jobs such as agricultural pilot, banner towing, pipeline patrol, traffic reporting, corporate pilot and drone pilot.
• Multi-engine Rating: In these courses, students learn to fly an aircraft that has two engines. Earning this rating allows students to fly multi-engine aircraft, making them more marketable. It is also a necessary step toward being qualified to fly for passenger airlines.
• Flight Instructor: These courses prepare students to work as a flight instructor, teaching other people to fly. Working as a flight instructor allows students to quickly gain additional flight hours that are needed to qualify for some corporate jobs and for an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate. With a flight instructor certificate, you can log flight hours while training others, reducing the costs of accumulating additional flight hours. See below for more information.

Are there opportunities to earn instructor ratings during the program?
Yes, students earn their Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) credential as part of the flight operations curriculum. In addition, students have the option to pursue the Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) and Certified Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) credentials.