Flight Training in Suffolk County

Flight Training Suffolk County, NY (KISP)

Academy of Aviation — Islip
200 Hering Dr
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Local: (631) 859-7486
Admissions: (888) 983-4284

Map & Directions

Flight School at MacArthur Airport — Suffolk County, NY

Academy of Aviation's Islip campus is based at Long Island MacArthur Airport (KISP) in Ronkonkoma — the primary commercial service airport in Suffolk County. Students training here are on a live ATC frequency at a towered airport with scheduled airline operations from day one.

That means real radio discipline, real traffic sequencing alongside commercial jets, and a professional environment that prepares you for the airline cockpit faster than quieter general aviation fields can.

Pilot Training in Eastern Long Island Airspace

MacArthur Airport sits in central Suffolk County, well-positioned for cross-country training across the East End, the South Fork, and the Hamptons corridor, as well as instrument work within the broader New York Class B environment.

Students based in Suffolk County get a full career pilot training environment that matches their geography — no commute to Nassau County, no relocation required. Long Island's coastal climate delivers consistent year-round flying with milder winters than upstate New York, keeping training schedules on pace.

FAA Part 141 Career Pilot Program

The Islip campus offers a full FAA Part 141 career pilot program. The structured curriculum covers every rating on the airline pathway: Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, and Certified Flight Instructor ratings including CFI, CFII, and MEI.

Training Alongside Commercial Operations

MacArthur Airport is one of the few training airports in New York where student pilots share the pattern and the frequency with scheduled commercial airline traffic daily. That exposure — learning to hold short, sequence into approach, and communicate with a busy tower — is not something you can simulate. It is the kind of operational experience that makes AOA Islip graduates stand out in airline hiring evaluations.

Airline Partnerships — Delta Propel and Republic Airways RJet

The Islip campus participates in two of the most significant airline cadet pipelines in the country. The Delta Propel program offers a conditional flow offer to Endeavor Air for students who complete their CFI ratings and instruct at AOA, with a clear path to Delta Air Lines.


The Republic Airways RJet Cadet Program connects students directly to one of the largest regional operators in the country, serving American Airlines, United Airlines®, and Delta Air Lines.

Frequently Asked Questions — Islip Campus

Where exactly is the Islip campus located?

The Islip campus is based at Long Island MacArthur Airport (KISP) at 200 Hering Drive in Ronkonkoma, New York. MacArthur is the primary commercial service airport in Suffolk County, centrally located on Long Island with easy access from throughout the East End and south shore.

What makes the Islip campus different from the Farmingdale campus?

Both campuses are on Long Island and offer the same FAA Part 141 career program, but MacArthur Airport (KISP) is a commercial service airport with scheduled airline operations. Islip students train alongside commercial jet traffic from day one, which adds a layer of real-world operational exposure that is unique to this campus. Students based in Suffolk County also benefit from a significantly shorter commute than traveling to Farmingdale in Nassau County.

Will I fly near New York Class B airspace from KISP?

Yes. Instrument and cross-country training from MacArthur Airport operates within the broader New York Class B environment. Students gain exposure to the same complex ATC structure that defines professional aviation in the New York region, building the situational awareness and communication skills that airlines evaluate in hiring.

Is the Islip campus FAA Part 141 approved?

Yes. Academy of Aviation holds an FAA Part 141 Air Agency Certificate. Part 141 is the structured, curriculum-based training standard required by most airline hiring programs and allows you to test for your commercial certificate with fewer hours than the Part 61 minimum.

Does the Islip campus participate in the Delta Propel program?

Yes. Students who complete their flight instructor ratings and instruct at AOA are eligible to enter the Delta Propel pathway, which leads to a conditional flow offer to Endeavor Air and a clear route to Delta Air Lines.

Referral
Program

Refer a friend and Earn $1,000 in Flight Training Credit

At Academy of Aviation, we believe flying is better with friends. That is why we are rewarding you for helping others achieve their aviation dreams. Here is how it works:

• • Refer a new student to Academy of Aviation
• • When your referral enrolls in our PPL to CPL program, you will receive a $1,000 flight training credit.
• • Your credit will be added 60 days after your referral starts school, and their payment is confirmed.
• • There is no limit. Refer as many friends as you like and keep earning credits toward your flight hours.
• • Start spreading the word and watch your flight hours take off.