Learning to fly in Minneapolis means you have more options than almost anywhere in the Midwest. The Twin Cities metro has over a dozen flight schools spread across seven airports, each with a different approach to training. Some focus on getting career pilots to the airlines fast. Others specialize in recreational flying or niche ratings like helicopters and seaplanes.
We broke down every school in the metro to help you find the right fit.
The Career Track Schools
ATP Flight School — Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE)
ATP is the largest flight school in the country, and their Minneapolis location at Blaine puts you in a structured, airline-focused pipeline. The Airline Career Pilot Program takes you from zero time to 1,500 hours with airline hiring partnerships at Spirit, Envoy, SkyWest, and others. Full financing available.
Best for: Students committed to an airline career who want a fast, structured path. Certifications: Private through CFI/CFII/MEI Fleet: 658+ aircraft nationwide Contact: (904) 595-7950
Academy College — Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE)
Academy College combines flight training with an actual college degree — Associate or Bachelor's in Commercial Aviation. The big advantage: their Part 141 Restricted Program lets graduates earn their ATP at only 1,000 hours instead of the standard 1,500. That saves months of time-building.
Best for: Students who want a degree alongside their ratings. Certifications: Private through Commercial, Part 141 Contact: (952) 851-0066
The Local Independents
Inflight Pilot Training — Flying Cloud Airport (FCM)
Inflight is one of the most active and visible flight schools in the Twin Cities, with a modern brand and strong online presence. They run a busy training operation at Flying Cloud and also operate Inflight Aircraft Maintenance (an FAA repair station) on the same field. Their instructors are engaged and their fleet is well-maintained.
Best for: Students in the south/southwest metro who want a professional, modern training environment. Certifications: Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI Contact: (952) 698-3000
Thunderbird Aviation — Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) & Crystal Airport (MIC)
Thunderbird has been training Twin Cities pilots since 1962. They're the only school with locations at two MAC airports (Flying Cloud and Crystal), which is convenient depending on where you live. They offer both formal ground school and online training options, and their instructors have decades of collective experience.
Best for: Students who value an established school with deep roots in the community. Certifications: Private through ATP Contact: (952) 941-1212
Twin Cities Flight Training — Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE)
Twin Cities Flight Training at Blaine was featured in FLYING Magazine's "Best of Minnesota" and focuses heavily on the student experience. They offer discovery flights, a structured Private Pilot program, and career-track training. The team is known for being approachable and genuinely invested in student success.
Best for: First-time students who want a welcoming, supportive environment. Certifications: Private, Instrument, Commercial Website: twincitiesflight.com
Lake Elmo Aero — Lake Elmo Airport (21D)
Lake Elmo Aero is a Part 141 school and Cirrus Training Center on the east side of the metro. If you fly or plan to fly Cirrus aircraft, this is your school. They also provide maintenance services and have excellent Google reviews — consistently rated as one of the best training experiences in the state.
Best for: East metro students. Cirrus owners/enthusiasts. Pilots who value quality over speed. Certifications: Private, Instrument, Commercial (Part 141)
Aloft Aviation — Airlake Airport (LVN)
Aloft operates at Airlake in Lakeville, serving south metro students. They're a smaller operation, which means more personalized attention and flexible scheduling. If you live south of the river and don't want to drive to Eden Prairie or Blaine, Aloft is your closest option.
Best for: South metro students who want convenience and personal attention. Certifications: Private, Instrument
The Specialists
AV8 Flight School — Flying Cloud Airport (FCM)
AV8 is the only flight school in Minnesota that offers both airplane AND helicopter training under one roof. If you're torn between fixed-wing and rotary-wing, AV8 lets you explore both without switching schools. No membership fees, transparent pricing, and they also run air tours over the Twin Cities.
Best for: Students interested in helicopters, or undecided between helicopters and airplanes. Certifications: Private through Commercial (airplane & helicopter) Contact: (952) 944-2628
Air Trek North — Fleming Field (SGS)
Air Trek North at Fleming Field is one of the few schools in Minnesota offering seaplane ratings. Minnesota has more than 10,000 lakes — learning to land on them is practically a local tradition. They also offer standard fixed-wing training from Private through Commercial.
Best for: Pilots who want a seaplane rating. Land of 10,000 Lakes pilots. Contact: (952) 594-1184
Northern Flight Company — Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE)
Northern Flight Company takes a fundamentals-first approach with classic, analog aircraft (including a 1970 Cessna 172K). No glass cockpits here — they believe real airmanship starts with steam gauges and stick-and-rudder skills. Part 61 training for Private, Instrument, and Commercial.
Best for: Pilots who want old-school, fundamentals-focused training. Certifications: Private, Instrument, Commercial (Part 61)
North Star Flyers — Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE)
North Star Flyers is technically a flying club, not a school — but it's Minnesota's most robust flying club with an excellent training program. All aircraft are hangared in heated comfort at Blaine with a dedicated mechanic. Members get access to flight training, ground school, FAA safety programs, and social events like hangar parties and breakfast flights.
Best for: Pilots who want community alongside their training. Budget-conscious students.
How to Choose a Flight School in the Twin Cities
What's your goal? If you want to fly for the airlines, ATP or Academy College will get you there fastest. If you want to fly for fun, a local independent like Inflight, Thunderbird, or Twin Cities Flight Training will give you a better experience.
Where do you live? Pick the school closest to you — you'll fly more often if the drive is short. South metro: Aloft at Airlake or Inflight at Flying Cloud. North metro: Twin Cities Flight Training or ATP at Blaine. East metro: Lake Elmo Aero.
What do you want to fly? Helicopters: AV8. Seaplanes: Air Trek North. Cirrus: Lake Elmo Aero. Classic analog: Northern Flight Company.
What's your budget? Flying clubs like North Star Flyers offer the lowest hourly rates. ATP and Academy College are premium-priced but include career placement.
Take a discovery flight at 2-3 schools before committing. Every school has a different culture, and the right fit matters more than the brand name.