Saint Louis University's Flight School trains students to become skilled pilots as well as strong industry leaders.
Students enrolled in Saint Louis University's aviation program are able to fly within weeks of their freshman year, and continuously gather more and more certification throughout each year of the flight science degree program.
FAA Medical Certificate Requirements for Flight Training
All students planning to begin flight training at Saint Louis University are advised to hold a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate. Proof of your holding a current first or second-class medical certificate must be provided before you will be allowed to enroll in any flight training courses. A medical certificate will be considered current if it has been issued within 12 calendar months prior to the start of flight training.
Without a current FAA second-class or first-class medical certificate, you will not be allowed to enroll in any flight training course offered by Saint Louis University.
Learn More About FAA Medical Certificate Requirements
Location and Transportation
Our Center for Aviation Science is housed at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, located at 4300 Vector Drive in Cahokia, Illinois, and can be reached at 314-977-9569.
University transportation between campus and the Center for Aviation Science is available for aviation students during the fall and spring semesters.
- A Center for Aviation Science shuttle operates hourly Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5 p.m. The shuttle pick-up and drop-off point is located at Grand Hall on the Saint Louis University campus and at the Center for Aviation Science at the St. Louis Downtown Airport.
- Additional transportation is available during off hours and on weekends via SLU Ride. Students are to use the TapRide app (which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play) during the hours of operation to request a ride.
- Outside of SLU Ride and the shuttle hours, the Department of Public Safety can provide safety escorts. To request a safety escort, call 314-977-3000
Saint Louis University Aircraft Fleet and Technology
SLU hosts a versatile aircraft fleet, including these cutting-edge airplane options:
Our GPS-equipped Diamond DA-20 aircraft, capable of flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), are used for primary and instrument training. The Diamond DA-20 is a two-seat, all composite airplane that is ideal for high-utilization flight instruction environments and has an industry-leading safety record and outstanding fuel economy.
The technologically advanced Piper PA-28-281 is equipped with a glass cockpit, Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and autopilot, allowing you to receive additional training in an aircraft with electronic systems that are typical of today’s commercial aircraft.
The multi-engine, advanced-training Seminole is sleek, strong, consistent and smart. Powerful twin 180-horsepower Lycoming engines make Seminole the only true multi-engine trainer available today, providing a unique and vital advanced instrument training experience. Its simplicity, stability and safety have made it a low-maintenance, high-value mainstay of training programs everywhere.
Learn in our state-of-the-art flight simulator while being advised by lab instructors with extensive real-world experience.
Flight training is further supported by our fleet of Frasca advanced aircraft training devices (AATD), also referred to as simulators.
Our smaller class sizes and individual flight instruction ensure a student-centered approach to learning and the individualized attention afforded by a private education.
Registration
You can register for flight courses at Saint Louis University as soon as you are admitted to the flight science concentration.
To register for a flight school course, coordinate with the chief flight instructor for a flight slot. Once a flight slot has been obtained, you may register with the consent of your faculty mentor and academic advisor. You must register for flight courses online. New students may obtain a flight slot and register for their flight course during SLU 101.
Students are not allowed to register for a department flight course without having completed prerequisite coursework unless they have consent from the Department of Aviation Science. To complete the degree requirements in four years, it’s important that you continue to make adequate progress in each flight course.
Currently required FAA records are maintained using the Talon Systems’ Education and Training Administration software. Upon enrollment in a flight course, you will receive access to your flight training records via your ETA login. You are encouraged to monitor your flight training progress to avoid or anticipate additional flight course charges.