Prepare for a fulfilling, high-demand career by studying Aviation at LaGrange College. Available as a major or minor, our program allows you to obtain the skills needed for a wide variety of pilot professions—including airline pilot, private charter pilot or cargo pilot.

For questions specific to flight training (aircraft, scheduling, training expectations, fees, timelines), please contact Paragon Flight Training directly. Our team is happy to help.

Flight training is conducted at nearby LaGrange-Callaway Airport (10 minutes from campus) in conjunction with our aviation partner Paragon Flight Training. You’ll learn on Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) featuring “glass cockpits” with digital avionics and systems that correspond to what you’ll use as a professional pilot.

You can begin flying one of our Cessna Skyhawks your freshman year—and an on-campus flight simulator lets you get started immediately

Soaring demand

A commercial pilot shortage is already plaguing the industry:

  • Over the next 15 years, more than half of current U.S. pilots will have reached the mandatory retirement age of 65.
  • More than 602,000 new pilots will be needed to fly globally over the next 20 years according to the Boeing Pilot Outlook.

Commercial pilot salaries are expected to enjoy steady growth.

commercial-pilot-salary-projection-at-400.jpg

[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics]

Enjoy a traditional college experience and a personal learning environment that leads to your commercial pilot certificate.

Requirements:

  • Citizenship documentation required on [file: U.S](file: U. "‌"). birth certificate or U.S. passport.

  • FAA 1st Class Medical Certificate required (must be obtained before flight training begins).

  • Payment in full due 7 days prior to the semester start (and non-payment drop expectation, as mentioned earlier).

FAA Medical Certificate Process:

  • Step 1: Complete the application on FAA MedXPress and bring your confirmation number.

  • Step 2: Schedule with a local Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

  • Add the “find an AME” link + MedXPress link on the page

LaGrange College's Aviation Leadership program is not currently an FAA-approved R-ATP (Restricted Airline Transport Pilot) institution, meaning students are not eligible for the reduced 1,000-hour ATP minimums under FAR 61.160 through this program at this time. R-ATP approval is something we're actively pursuing, and we'll update students as that status changes.

What LC students do have is the ability to start flying their freshman year — meaning more hours, more consistency, and less time (and money) lost to gaps in training.