Central Iowa Air Service

Central Iowa Air Service (CIAS) is one of Iowa's most established flight training organizations, operating from Ames Municipal Airport (KAMW) in Ames, Iowa. The school holds FAA Part 141 certification—one of only six schools in the entire state of Iowa to earn this distinction—and also offers the flexibility of Part 61 training to accommodate students with varying schedules and goals.

Led by Chief Flight Instructor Glenn Dodd, CIAS maintains a focused training fleet of Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft, which are widely recognized as reliable, forgiving, and excellent primary trainers. The school operates four training aircraft with four full-time flight instructors, keeping the student-to-instructor ratio low and ensuring each student receives personalized attention throughout their training.

The Part 141 program offers significant cost savings for students pursuing their Commercial Pilot certificate, reducing the required hours from 250 (under Part 61) to 190. CIAS has partnered with local universities and community colleges to offer flexible payment options, and accepts GI Bill benefits for qualifying veterans. Whether a student's goal is recreational flying or a professional aviation career, Central Iowa Air Service provides quality, efficient training in the heart of Iowa.