IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Iowa Lakes Community College's Spencer campus extends the aviation program's reach into the Spencer, Iowa area, providing students in northwest Iowa with access to the same nationally recognized Part 141 flight training that has earned Iowa Lakes the distinction of being Flying Magazine's number one aviation community college in the nation.

Students at the Spencer location train under the same FAA-approved curriculum, with access to the program's nine-aircraft fleet distributed across both the Estherville and Spencer campuses. Whether enrolling at the Estherville main campus or the Spencer satellite, students pursue the same Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation and Airport Management, covering Private Pilot through Commercial and Multi-Engine certifications, plus all flight instructor ratings.

Chief Flight Instructor Dwayne Hoss oversees the program's flight operations across both locations, ensuring consistent training standards and instructor quality. The program benefits from a recent $490,000 FAA grant to expand its facilities and student outreach, and actively partners with JROTC programs to bring early aviation exposure to high school students across northwest Iowa.