School of Aviation

Program History

Hesston College’s aviation-professional pilot program launched in 1970, and has continuously integrated exceptional academics and foundational flight instruction for professional aviators.

An Air Traffic Control option was added to the program in 2009, and in 2010 earned Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) status from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Hesston’s Air Traffic Control program is one of 36 FAA-CTI programs nationwide and the only program in the state of Kansas. In January 2019, Hesston College Aviation was granted approval from the accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), for a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation-Professional Pilot. Hesston College Aviation graduates work in a myriad of aviation-based environments, from on-demand charter, regional, domestic and international airlines, corporate flight departments, missionary-based or humanitarian-relief organizations, flight instructors in academic institutions, aerial application operations, FAA roles and more.

Learning Environment

Located 15 minutes from campus, the Newton City-County Airport (KEWK) exposes students to a wide variety of traffic and serves as a reliever for Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport. There are 30 other airports within 30 miles ranging from 1500 foot grass strips to 10,000 foot airline-served runways. This allows many learning opportunities!

The Hesston College training facility offers private briefing rooms to meet one-on-one with your instructor. The facility houses five single and multi-engine aircraft and an FAA-approved Advance Aviation Training Device (AATD).

Flight Training for International Students

Program Certification & Accreditation

Hesston College Aviation, the sole provider of all ground and flight training, is the holder of a Federal Aviation Administration Air Agency Certificate, and is formally recognized as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 141 Pilot School authorized to conduct all phases of training for the Private Pilot, Instrument Airplane and Commercial Pilot certification courses. Hesston College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is authorized to grant degrees by the state of Kansas. All aviation curriculum and degrees at Hesston College are also approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.