Iowa Aviation

At last week’s 4 State Airport Conference in Kansas City, the Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI) received the FAA’s Distinguished General Aviation Airport Award. The FAA’s presentation said:

“Clinton Municipal is a very active general aviation airport serving eastern Iowa. They sponsor numerous aviation events throughout the year and have an active FBO. Their most recent state safety inspection resulted in no discrepancies, and they frequently receive accolades from pilots for their runway condition and snow removal efforts. They maintain a modern and accessible terminal building and they have focused their recent AIP funding on important projects like taxiway and apron pavement improvements and terminal area fencing to secure the airport.”

Congratulations CWI on this excellent honor!

Charles City Aeronautics, Inc. d/b/a North Iowa Air Service (NIAS) in Mason City and Charles City, Iowa, and Central Iowa Air Service (CIAS) in Ames, Iowa, is pleased to announce that Central Iowa Air Service Flight School has become an FAA Part 141 Certified Flight School.

One of only 5 FAA Part 141 Flight Schools in Iowa, CIAS' Flight School can now partner with local Universities and Community Colleges to develop Piloting majors and minors. These partnerships will allow students to use financial aid, grants, and utilize the resources of the schools to achieve their career goals.

“The Central Iowa Air Service Flight Training Department has been working toward this goal for 5 years, and I am very proud of this team for their work,” said William R. Kyle, President of Charles City Aeronautics. “Achieving Part 141 Certification takes a tremendous amount of time, work and dedication. This team is more than ready to take the CIAS Flight School to the next level.”

“CIAS’ Flight School is ready to accept new students and continue growing our school,” said Brian Gowen, CIAS Director of Flight Training. “We are currently working with local community colleges, universities, and with local military veteran groups for use of GI Bill funds. This is a very exciting time for aviation in Ames.”

“With the nationwide pilot shortage, adding an FAA Part 141 School in Ames is a great step forward,” said Christopher Schrodt, Charles City Aeronautics’ Flight Training Manager. "Pilots have become the number one hottest job in the country, and this school will allow students of all ages to work towards the career goals of becoming a Pilot. We are excited for what the future is going to bring.”

With the growth of the CIAS Flight School, the school will be moving into their own building at the Ames Airport beginning April 2023. Currently the school has 4 full-time flight instructors and 4 training aircraft.

Pictured are Glenn Dodd, CIAS Chief Flight Instructor; Brian Gowen, CIAS Director of Flight Training; Christopher Schrodt, Charles City Aeronautics, Inc. Flight Training Manager