Ascent Aviation and Lake Superior Helicopters Approved For Examining Authority by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Students are photographed upon completion of each checkride to celebrate the important milestones in their flight training.

Ascent Aviation and Lake Superior Helicopters in Duluth, Minnesota have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for partial Part 141 Examining Authority, meaning certified flight instructors with the professional pilot flight training programs can now do their own internal examining and approval of student check rides. According to the FAA, of the 509 certified flight schools in the nation, only about 75 schools (approximately 15%) are approved to hold examining authority for at least one of their training courses.  Ascent Aviation has been approved for three of their training courses: private pilot certificate, instrument rating and commercial certificate. Lake Superior Helicopters has been approved for instrument rating. This will help reduce wait times and costs for students in both programs and make these programs even more efficient, affordable and attractive for current and potential students. 

"This is a game changer for our flight training programs, and especially for our students. It's a process we've been working with the FAA on for several months," said Daniel Fanning, Vice President of Ascent Aviation and Lake Superior Helicopters. "This will drastically help to reduce any potential wait times or delays due to needing to schedule an external examining authority, as well as eliminate any associated costs with those delays. Receiving this approval speaks volumes about the quality of our program, and especially the quality of our certified flight instructors. At a time when we're now looking to grow these programs, this will help make Duluth an even more attractive option to potential flight school students from all across the country." 

Ascent Aviation and Lake Superior Helicopters continue to recruit more aspiring pilots into the programs, as the need for professional pilots continues to grow. Both programs are also approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept Veteran benefits, including the GI Bill®. Fall semester begins August 25. Students interested in enrolling this fall are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible to allow time to complete the necessary steps required to be accepted, and before programs are full. Classes are starting to fill up, especially in the fixed-wing program with over twenty (as of July 1) new students already enrolled and preparing to start that program next month. 

Ascent Aviation and Lake Superior Helicopters partner with Lake Superior College to offer a two-year pilot degree program for both fixed-wing (Ascent Aviation) and helicopter (Lake Superior Helicopter) flight training. Applications for fall enrollment are now being accepted. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a pilot (airplane or helicopter) is encouraged to visit www.ascentaviation.com/fly. Any prospective student interested in the professional pilot programs can also contact Ascent Aviation, info@ascentaviation.com, to arrange an individual tour of training facilities, both at LSC’s Center for Advanced Aviation and/or at Lake Superior Helicopters, as well as an opportunity to speak with an admissions representative to learn more.