Do you want to learn how to fly? Searching for the best aviation training centers in Kansas City or “flight schools near me” in the metro area?
Learning to fly is a lifelong dream for many people. There are many different areas of aviation you can go into, flying planes just one. There are also many different planes you can fly and many types of careers.
It’s vital that you receive the best training and education you can. It requires a lot of classroom learning before you are ever ready to take to the skies. It’s important you understand the safety precautions.
There are a lot of terminologies to learn, instruments, how to read them, and what they do. You need to be comfortable with these terms and where the instruments are located. You never want to second guess yourself.
A good instructor can help you not only learn everything you need to know but can help you feel comfortable and less nervous in the plane. It’s a very different feeling flying in a commercial airplane than commandeering a small two-seater.
It’s imperative you are comfortable and relaxed. You never know what can happen and the slightest incident can change everything. Finding an instructor you feel confident in is going to be key.
Maybe you want to be a bush pilot, flying goods into areas with no access. Maybe you want to be a crop duster, helping with forest fires, rescues, and patrol.
Regardless of your reasons, you need to be confident. That’s why you need to check out more than one flight school before you commit to classes there. You want to learn and not lose faith.
Becoming a pilot or learning other aspects of flight is an exciting time. Embarking on a career in aviation is very rewarding and you never stop learning as you progress through the years.
These are some of the top flight schools and aviation training centers in the Kansas City area. Check them all before you make any commitments.
Top 10 Best Kansas City Flight Schools and Aviation Training Centers
Midwest Pilot Training
See what flying is all about with your first half-hour of flight. The introductory flight includes a pre and post-flight briefing, a flight where you are able to get hands-on flight experience in one of their training airplanes, a tour of the flight school, hangar, and ramp.
During the briefing, they will discuss your goals and what it takes to become a pilot. This is the starting point for all aviators. Jim is an FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot, and holds an FAA Instrument Flight Instructor rating for single and multi-engine airplanes (CFI, CFII, MEI), as well as being an FAA Advanced Ground Instructor-Instrument rating.
Midwest Pilot Training
2525 NE Douglas
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
Phone: (816) 889-8906
https://www.greatcfi.com
Nehemiah Aviation
Nehemiah Aviation provides affordable and exciting flight and training opportunities for anyone of any age or flying ability. They are passionate about aviation and love to share that passion with anyone who shows interest.
They are friendly and encouraging and their goal is to help you meet your goal. Nehemiah Aviation specializes in personalizing exciting flying adventures and affordable flight experiences.
They fly the Citabria, a two-place, tandem (front/back) conventional gear airplane with outstanding visibility and handling. It’s a calm, safe aircraft for seeing the leaves change color in fall and for flying aerobatics!
Nehemiah Aviation
16085 Gilman Rd
Leavenworth, KS 66048
Phone: (913) 364-7919
http://www.nehemiahaviation.com
Kilo Charlie Aviation
Kilo Charlie Aviation has been serving and training flight students in the Kansas City area since the mid-2000s. Conveniently located in the Midwest, their students travel from all over the world to participate in their self-paced pilot license programs.
At Kilo Charlie, you won’t just learn how to fly. You’ll learn how to be a pilot. Their mission is to give you the knowledge and training you need to place yourself among the finest aviation enthusiasts and professionals in the world.
Their flight instructors are committed to providing you the safest and most professional experience possible, while still keeping it fun and enjoyable.
Kilo Charlie Aviation
280 Gardner Dr
New Century, KS 66031
Phone: (913) 346-2746
https://www.flykilocharlie.com
ATD Flight Systems
ATD Flight Systems is a full-service, Kansas City-based flight school offering training programs catered to your individual needs. Whether you’re a pilot looking to get in some much-needed flight time, or an aspiring professional pilot in search of a structured FAA-approved 141 flight training program, ATD is the place for you.
ATD Flight Systems is a full-service flight training facility located at the historic downtown Kansas City airport. They are conveniently located at the historic downtown airport in Kansas City, Missouri. Stop in today for a tour of our facilities with one of their dedicated flight instructors.
ATD Flight Systems
10 Richards Rd
Kansas City, MO
Phone: (816) 221-8455
https://atdflightsystems.com
Air Associates of Kansas
Air Associates is a general aviation services company providing a diverse range of services including fixed-base operations (fueling, hangar, maintenance), aircraft management, charter, and flight training.
Whether it’s fueling your aircraft, providing turbine or piston maintenance, providing charter services to you or your business, or teaching you to fly, Air Associates has the experience and capabilities to meet all of your aviation needs.
Their associates are committed to safety and customer service. On any given day, you may find their Associates doing everything from aircraft maintenance, providing flight instruction in a single-engine Cessna, or crewing a variety of aircraft.
Air Associates of Kansas
12901 W 151st Street, Suite B
Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: (913) 764-4800
https://airassociatesinc.com
Hetrick Air Services
Whether you want an instrument rating, or you just want a new and exciting hobby, you’ll get all the training you need. Their packet includes estimated costs for private, instrumental, or sports licenses, all documents needed in order to rent, and their rental agreement.
There’s nothing like the feeling you get from flying. The sense of freedom and the thrill you get from soaring high above the clouds changes your perspective. For many, the idea of actually piloting a plane is just a fantasy, but at Hetrick Air Services, their experienced and courteous flight instructors are working hard to give you the tools to make that dream a reality.
Hetrick Air Services
1930 Airport Road
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 842-0000
http://www.hetrickairservices.com
Crotts Aircraft Service
Crotts Aircraft Service operates full-service fixed-based operations at the Dodge City Regional Airport in Dodge City, Kansas, and Hays Regional Airport in Hays, Kansas.
In business for over thirty-five years, Crotts Aircraft Service offers the expertise you need to fulfill your aviation needs. Their focus on safety and customer service means that you have assured a first-class flying experience every time.
Whether for business or pleasure, Crotts Aircraft Service aims to be your partner in the aviation industry. Rooted in Kansas history, Dodge City and Hays, Kansas serve as the ideal locations. Crotts Aircraft Service offers a large variety of services with a focus on charter service, managed aircraft, and aircraft maintenance.
Crotts Aircraft Service
102 Airport Road
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-3553
https://crottsaircraft.com
Pray Aviation Services
Their specialized Part 61 training syllabus for all certifications trims away unnecessary training time while ensuring quality and safety standards are constantly met.
Their key to enhanced, accelerated training is by formulating their own specialized training syllabus. They focus on the necessary to get you ready for the certification while ensuring that the fundamentals of flying and safety standards are never compromised.
They value customer satisfaction over profit. By having our very own in-house facilities such as a fuel farm, personal maintenance hangar, accommodations, and transportation, we are able to provide a one-stop, cost-effective solution for our students, especially those from out-of-state.
Pray Aviation Services
10504 SW Indianola Road
Augusta, KS67010
Phone: (316) 519 3399
https://prayaviation.com
US Flight Co
US Flight Co is a flight school that offers aircraft rental for flight training or recreation in Kansas City, MO. Their mission is to make flying affordable, safe, and fun.
They allow both students and instructors the freedom to teach and learn in a way that is best suited for them. You can even bring your own instructor. They are conveniently located within the Signature Flight Support building at the Charles B. Wheeler Airport in Downtown Kansas City.
They have a network of flight instructors with skill sets in different areas of flying that we can recommend. This allows you to hone your flying skills according to your goals.
US Flight Co
500 Richards Rd
Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: (816) 542-7525
https://usflightco.com/kansas-city
Little Blue Aviation
They are Kansas City’s only flight simulation-based training center. We use the highest quality, Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD) made by Precision Flight Controls.
These full-motion, high-fidelity flight simulators offer a level of realism previously unheard of for light aircraft. And because of how well it replicates the real airplane, we can now totally change the way people learn to fly. There are two main areas in the process of learning.
Skill items, the physical handling, and management of all aspects of conducting a safe flight. You can’t stop an airplane in flight and the actual cockpit is a terrible environment in which to learn.
Little Blue Aviation
1001 NW Lou Holland Dr
Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: (913) 226-7199
https://littleblueaviation.com
Now You Are Ready to Learn How to Fly with a Top Kansas City Flight School
These Kansas City flight training and aviation companies should give you something to think about. They all have their own unique way of teaching and approaching the learning process.
Check them all out and see which ones look appealing to you. Not all may not be suitable and there are variations in prices, time limits, and class time. Make sure you find the one that suits your needs.
Once you have looked through this list, make a few notes and then contact the schools that look like they will be a good fit for what you want. Make sure you are prepared to ask some questions.
Some have special offers, as well. Take a good look and you might find a way to win a free flight, be it for entertainment or a free lesson. There are offers for a flight only, so you can get a better idea of what it would be like to be up flying one of those planes.
It’s a big adventure and learning to fly would be a very rewarding and exciting time in your life. Be sure to take your time, ask all the questions you have, and even book an appointment to meet the instructors and see the facilities.
