Best Schools in Denver, CO

Aspen Flying Club, established in 1977, is a well-reputed flight school and flying club located at Centennial Airport (KAPA) in Englewood, Colorado. They offer a wide range of flight training programs, from ground school to advanced ratings, in a friendly and professional environment. With a large and diverse fleet of well-maintained aircraft, Aspen Flying Club caters to both recreational pilots and those pursuing a career in aviation. The club fosters a community of aviators, welcoming members to utilize the facilities and enjoy the camaraderie. Aspen Flying Club distinguishes itself by providing high-quality, safe, and enjoyable flying experiences. They offer training for private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, CFI, and ATP certificates. The location at Centennial Airport provides the advantage of learning in a busy, controlled airspace, preparing pilots for real-world challenges. The club also offers advanced training in aerobatics, mountain flying, tailwheel aircraft, and upset recovery. Aspen Flying Club has a large membership and a diverse fleet of aircraft. They maintain a laid-back yet professional atmosphere, conducive to learning and growing as a pilot. The club also offers a state-of-the-art full-motion flight simulator for training when weather conditions are unfavorable. Aspen Flying Club balances the varied goals of its members, whether they are learning to fly for a career or seeking a rewarding hobby. The club's location at Centennial Airport, one of the busiest business airports in the nation, provides a sophisticated and challenging learning environment.

Metropolitan State University of Denver has one of the largest collegiate aviation programs in the country and uses Centennial Airport (KAPA) and Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU) for flight training.

Located at Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL), Aims Community College is an FAA Part 141 fixed-wing flight school with a new fleet of aircraft equipped with G1000 glass cockpits.

Western Air Flight Academy is a flight school in Colorado providing pilot training, flying lessons, aviation instruction and pilot certification programs, serving Denver, Boulder, Broomfield and the front range.

ATP Flight School, established in 1984, is a prominent flight training institution headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with numerous locations across the United States. It specializes in preparing individuals for careers as commercial pilots, emphasizing airline-oriented training. ATP stands for Airline Transport Professionals and has a long history of training pilots, initially focusing on transitioning U.S. military pilots to commercial operations before expanding its curriculum. ATP Flight School partners with United Airlines in the Aviate Program and Frontier Airlines in the Frontier Direct Program, offering career pathways to these airlines. ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program is designed as an efficient route to becoming an airline pilot, providing career tracks to major airlines. The school emphasizes a fast-paced training environment, mirroring the training received at airlines. ATP boasts a high ratio of airline placements to students and has trained over 25,000 pilots since 1984. The school has a structured curriculum and partnerships with airlines, providing students with opportunities for quick career development. ATP operates 88 flight training centers across the US and has a large fleet of aircraft, including Piper Archers and Cessna 172 Skyhawks. They also utilize Frasca TruFlite Simulators, TRU Simulation Level 6, Piper PA44 Seminole Multi-Engine IFR Trainers, Frasca Piper Seminole Simulators, AATD Precision Flight Simulators, Redbird FMX Simulators and CRJ-200 Regional Jet FTD Simulators. ATP's accelerated programs aim to equip students with the skills needed to become commercial pilots. While ATP offers a fast-track program, some reviews mention that the speed can be overwhelming for some students. Some reviewers note that the quality of instructors can vary, with some being very committed and others less so. The school is known for its structured curriculum and focus on preparing students for airline careers.

ATP Flight School in Denver, located at Centennial Airport (APA), is part of a nationwide network and one of three ATP locations in Colorado. ATP offers aviation students professional commercial pilot flight training and an airline-sponsored Career Track from zero experience to 1,500 hours. ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program is a fast-track program that can take students from zero experience to commercial pilot with all flight instructor certificates in about 12 months. ATP operates under FAA Part 141 approval, providing structured, airline-oriented training that prepares students for professional aviation careers. ATP owns a large training fleet consisting of professionally maintained Piper Archers, Seminoles, and Cessna 172s. ATP's safety and reliability exceed the national average for general aviation flight instruction by a factor of ten, made possible by extensive investment in fleet maintenance and standardized operations. ATP is the largest flight training provider in the United States, producing more airline pilots than any other school, academy, or university. Founded in 1984 by airline pilots, ATP has trained over 25,000 pilots with its accelerated, airline-oriented approach. With training centers across the US and partnerships with many airlines, ATP offers a direct path from zero experience to an airline cockpit.

Front Range Flight School has effective, experienced, and patient instructors and is located in NE Denver at the Colorado Air and Space Port.

Independence Aviation, located in Denver, Colorado, is a Cirrus Flight Training Center and a Platinum Partner with Cirrus Aircraft.

The instructors at Peak Aviation Center develop safe and efficient training programs.

McAir Aviation, located at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) in Broomfield, CO, and Colorado Air and Space Port (KCFO) in Watkins, CO, has provided FAA-approved flight training since 1994.

A-Cent Aviation, Inc. is a family-owned flight school located at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), with a physical address at 1945 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80916. Despite being listed under Denver, the school operates out of Colorado Springs — about 70 miles south. With 15 years of aviation and aerospace expertise, A-Cent has built a reputation for instructors who genuinely enjoy teaching rather than simply logging hours toward airline careers. The school is a certified Cessna Pilot Center, meaning their fleet consists of Cessna aircraft and training follows Cessna-standardized curricula. Programs span the full private through commercial pathway: Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine Rating, CFI, and CFII. A-Cent is also an approved CATS testing center, allowing students to complete FAA written exams on site. A standout feature is A-Cents dual university partnership, enabling students to earn college credits simultaneously with flight training — a significant draw for degree-seeking students. Financing is available. The Colorado Springs location offers high-altitude training experience, which better prepares pilots for mountain and western US flying environments compared to lower-elevation schools.

Arapahoe Flight Club, located at the Colorado Springs Airport, is a veteran-owned and operated Part 141 flight school established in 2019. Voted Best Flight School in 2022 and 2023, they offer flight training, tour flights, and aircraft rentals. They are the only flight school in Colorado that offers both fixed wing (airplane) and rotor (helicopter) training in the same place. Arapahoe Flight Club employs instructors with real commercial experience in aviation who are passionate about teaching. The flight school aims to train competent pilots without excessive costs, respecting both the student's time and money. They are committed to training to a high standard and accomplishing goals as close to the minimum required hours as possible. The high-altitude environment provides a challenging and beneficial training ground for pilots. Arapahoe Flight Club also offers helicopter tours showcasing Colorado Springs from a unique aerial perspective. These tours cover landmarks like Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Canon. They also offer discovery flights in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Arapahoe Flight Club is set up as a training provider within the Pikes Peak Workforce Center system and accepts Army Credentialing Assistance and Air Force Tuition Assistance for private pilot license, commercial license, and instrument rating. They also accept GI Bill benefits for pilot training.

CMU Tech, a division of Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, specializes in vocational studies. Formerly known as Western Colorado Community College, CMU Tech provides certificate and associate degree programs, with students taking core curriculum courses at CMU's main campus and completing their program of study at CMU Tech. CMU Tech is committed to elevating the trades and redefining vocational education's role in society. They offer various programs including Aviation Technology, professional certificates, and associate degrees. Located seven minutes from the main CMU campus, CMU Tech's main campus is known as the Bishop Campus. CMU Tech also operates the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Center in Whitewater and the Electric Lineworker Training Center in Grand Junction. CMU Tech provides unique learning opportunities such as the Mobile Learning Lab and the Winiarski Institute of Viticulture & Enology. CMU Tech is dedicated to student success, offering a Student Support Center in Kayenta Hall to assist students in identifying, planning, and achieving their academic goals. The Student Services team supports students in developing meaningful education plans and selecting courses aligned with their abilities, values, interests, and career goals. CMU Tech also provides resources such as campus maps, dining options, and technology tools to support the academic journey.

Offers helicopter flight training programs, scenic helicopter tours, and commercial operations in Denver/Northern Colorado.

A family-owned business providing helicopter flight instruction and scenic tours in the Denver Metro Area.

Offers air-crew training and Rocky Mountain hospitality at their Denver Learning Center, located west of Denver International Airport.

Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) offers comprehensive aircraft maintenance and aviation (flight) training programs, leading to certificates and associate degrees. The aviation mechanic program is FAA-approved under Part 147, while the commercial pilot program is FAA-approved under Part 141. CNCC has been teaching people how to fly airplanes for over fifty years. The college is located in Rangely, Colorado, and boasts a residential campus with dorms and food services. CNCC's aviation programs provide pathways for students seeking careers in aviation flight and maintenance. CNCC has transfer agreements with Metropolitan State University – Denver (MSU-D) and Utah Valley University (UVU). CNCC's flight program offers training and certification from Private Pilot to Flight Instructor. The program is based out of Rangely Airport, managed by CNCC, just two miles from the main campus. Students benefit from well-seasoned instructors, state-of-the-art aircraft, and unrestricted airspace. CNCC also has a National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) team where students compete regionally. Classes are small, with 8 to 15 students, and instructors have real-world aviation careers. The college owns a fleet of flight training aircraft, turbine and piston engines, and maintenance training equipment. CNCC strives to provide an outstanding education in aviation technology and aviation maintenance to fulfill the employment demand in the aviation industry.

Rocky Mountain Flight School offers affordable flight training.

American Flight Schools offers a flexible flight training program.

ATP Flight School is the largest flight school in the U.S., with over 80 locations and a focus on providing the most efficient path to an airline pilot career. For over 40 years, ATP has been a major supplier of professionally trained pilots to regional airlines. ATP offers airline career pilot programs with career tracks to major airlines, providing students with the training, resources, and support needed to become an airline pilot. The school operates a Part 142 airline training center called ATP JETS in Dallas, TX, which provides Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP) training for multiple airlines and offers full-motion Airbus and Boeing simulators. ATP's accelerated programs are designed to equip students with the skills needed to become commercial pilots. ATP partners with United Airlines in the Aviate Program, where students complete training and requirements with ATP before flying for a United Express regional partner airline. ATP students have access to a mobile-optimized web app for lesson plans, online scheduling, and online modules. ATP's fast-paced training environment is designed to mirror the training received from airlines. The school has relationships with DPEs (Designated Pilot Examiners) to minimize check ride delays. ATP has airline hiring partnerships with 38 regional airlines, including Envoy Air and Horizon Air. ATP is known for its fast-track programs, aiming to get students to CFI/CFII/CFI multi in a short amount of time. However, the fast pace can be overwhelming for some students.

Flights Inc strives to provide the best and most diverse range of flight training services.

Vector Flight Training is a full-service flight school located at the Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK) in Erie, Colorado.

Leading Edge Flight Training is Colorado's highest-rated flight school, offering comprehensive pilot certification programs.