With the launch of Coe College’s new flight school and aviation management program, Eastern Iowa is poised to become a hub for aviation education and training. The partnership between Coe College and Kansas City-based ATD Flight Systems is expected to provide students with a comprehensive education and training in the aviation industry.

Addressing the Pilot Shortage

The pilot shortage in the United States has reached a critical level, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting over 17,000 open positions. This shortage is driving up pay for airline pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers, with median annual wages reaching $226,600 in 2024.

Benefits of the Partnership

The partnership between Coe College and ATD Flight Systems offers several benefits to students. These include:

• Expedited exam process: ATD holds examining authority from the FAA, which allows students to complete their flight training quicker through a structured FAA-approved curriculum.
• Shorter wait times: With ATD holding examining authority, students can expect shorter wait times for practical exams and check rides.
• Access to experienced instructors: ATD has a sterling reputation in the flight training sphere, and students can expect to work with experienced instructors who are committed to providing top-notch training.

Program Details

Coe College’s aviation management and flight operations concentration is a new program that is set to launch next month. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the aviation industry, including flight training, aircraft maintenance, and management.

1. The program is pending FAA approval.
2. At least three training aircraft will be based at Coe’s aeronautical field station at The Eastern Iowa Airport.
3. Students in the program will have the opportunity to work with ATD instructors and gain hands-on experience in the aviation industry.

Success Stories

Kirkwood Community College’s aviation maintenance technology program has been a success, with 23 students graduating with their airframe diploma and powerplant certificates in December 2024. Eight of those students are now fully certified A&P mechanics, and they have gone on to work for top airlines such as Jet Air, Duncan Aviation, Endeavor Air, and Flightstar.

Collaboration and Cross-Population

Kirkwood President Kristie Fisher has stated that she believes there will be opportunities for collaboration and cross-population between Coe College’s aviation program and Kirkwood’s aviation maintenance program. “We talk a lot,” Fisher said. “And we believe there’ll be times when some Kirkwood students might want to pick one of the Coe classes because it’s interesting … Or if you’re going to be a pilot, you might want to understand a little bit more about the airplane.”

Conclusion

The partnership between Coe College and ATD Flight Systems is expected to provide students with a comprehensive education and training in the aviation industry. With the growing demand for pilots and other aviation industry jobs, this partnership is poised to address the pilot shortage in the region. “Students can also expect shorter wait times for the practical exams and check rides as ATD holds examining authority from the FAA,” according to Coe, reporting wait times for a designated pilot examiner — required for a pilot’s certification — can stretch over three months. “Less than 60 flight providers in the United States hold both 141 approval and examining authority.”

The Coe aviation management and flight operations program is pending FAA approval. “Working with a college like Coe that is not only dedicated to the success and safety of its students, but also to fulfilling a need in a critical industry, is a privilege,” Keara Neifach, director of operations at ATD, said in a statement. At least three training aircraft will be based at Coe’s aeronautical field station at The Eastern Iowa Airport, and Director Marty Lenss said, “We welcome this extra traffic.”

“Students in the program are going to enjoy working with ATD, as they have a sterling reputation in the flight training sphere,” Lenss said. “Take to the skies”

Coe in May 2024 announced the new opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a concentration in aviation management beginning in fall 2025, and spokeswoman Natalie Milke said Coe remains on track to launch the program next month. The college has received more than 150 applications, with 26 so far planning to enroll in the program that promises students in their first term will “take to the skies, building flight hours right away as you work toward your pilot certificates and ratings.”

And Coe’s new partnership will allow more students to enroll given ATD’s 20-year history adhering to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules to provide Part 141 flight training, which lets students complete flight training quicker through a structured FAA-approved curriculum. “Students can also expect shorter wait times for the practical exams and check rides as ATD holds examining authority from the FAA,” according to Coe, reporting wait times for a designated pilot examiner — required for a pilot’s certification — can stretch over three months. “Less than 60 flight providers in the United States hold both 141 approval and examining authority.”

The Coe aviation management and flight operations program is pending FAA approval. “Working with a college like Coe that is not only dedicated to the success and safety of its students, but also to fulfilling a need in a critical industry, is a privilege,” Keara Neifach, director of operations at ATD, said in a statement. At least three training aircraft will be based at Coe’s aeronautical field station at The Eastern Iowa Airport, and Director Marty Lenss said, “We welcome this extra traffic.”

“Students in the program are going to enjoy working with ATD, as they have a sterling reputation in the flight training sphere,” Lenss said.

“We talk a lot,” said Kirkwood President Kristie Fisher. “And we believe there’ll be times when some Kirkwood students might want to pick one of the Coe classes because it’s interesting … Or if you’re going to be a pilot, you might want to understand a little bit more about the airplane.”

The partnership between Coe College and ATD Flight Systems is expected to provide students with a comprehensive education and training in the aviation industry. With the growing demand for pilots and other aviation industry jobs, this partnership is poised to address the pilot shortage in the region.

Aviation Industry Jobs

The aviation industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers, and the partnership between Coe College and ATD Flight Systems is expected to provide students with the skills and training needed to fill these positions.

Conclusion

The partnership between Coe College and ATD Flight Systems is expected to provide students with a comprehensive education and training in the aviation industry. With the growing demand for pilots and other aviation industry jobs, this partnership is poised to address the pilot shortage in the region. The aviation industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers, and the partnership between Coe College and ATD Flight Systems is expected to provide students with the skills and training needed to fill these positions.