Purdue University / Purdue Aviation (School of Aviation and Transportation Technology)
USA · FAA Part 141 / Part 61
Purdue University's School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, part of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, is a collegiate flight and aviation-technology program based in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. It trains professional pilots and aviation technologists using Purdue University Airport, the first university-owned airport in the country.
The professional flight program is Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) accredited and delivers FAA pilot certificates and ratings from private pilot through commercial, instrument, multi-engine and flight instructor. Training is based at Purdue University Airport (KLAF) in West Lafayette, which opened in 1930. The fleet includes Piper Archers, Piper Arrows, a Cirrus SR-22, Piper PA-44 Seminole twins for multi-engine training and American Champion Super Decathlons, many equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics. The Professional Flight Technology major can be completed in about three years.
School facts
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Region | Indiana (West Lafayette) |
| Base airport | Purdue University Airport (KLAF) |
| Regulator | FAA Part 141 / Part 61 |
| Courses | PPL CPL IR Multi-engine degree-integrated professional flight |
| Fleet | Cirrus SR20 (~16), Piper Archer, Piper Arrow, Piper Seminole, Super Decathlon, plus Phenom 100/Beechjet for advanced training |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Website | purdue.edu |
Key facts
- Country: USA; based in West Lafayette, Indiana
- Base airport: Purdue University Airport (KLAF), the first university-owned airport in the U.S. (opened 1930)
- Part of Purdue Polytechnic Institute; professional flight program is AABI-accredited
- FAA training from private pilot through Airline Transport Pilot
- Fleet includes Piper Archer, Piper Arrow, Cirrus SR-22, Piper Seminole and Super Decathlon aircraft
- Multi-engine training conducted in the Piper PA-44 Seminole
Frequently asked questions
Where does Purdue's flight training take place?
Is the flight program accredited?
What aircraft are used for multi-engine training?
Sources
- https://www.purdue.edu/airport/education/
- https://www.purdueaviationllc.com/flight-training/overview-curriculm
- https://checkrides.io/flight-schools/purdue-aviation-llc-west-lafayette-in
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purdue_University_Airport
- https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/degrees/professional-flight/faq
Last verified 2026-07-13. Professionally-public, sourced information only.