Sioux City, Iowa—Morningside University is proud to announce a major milestone in its continued ascent as an Aviation Department. As of May 20, 2025, the university has officially received full certification as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 141 Pilot School, marking the successful conclusion of a two-year effort to transition from provisional to full FAA Part 141 status.

“This is a tremendous moment for Morningside Aviation and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and flight training partner, Oracle,” said Dr. Chris Spicer, Provost. “Achieving full Part 141 certification means our program now meets the FAA’s highest standards for safety, curriculum quality, and instructional excellence.”

FAA Part 141 certification establishes a rigorous and structured training environment that allows students to qualify for various pilot ratings with fewer required flight hours than other pilot training options. This efficiency leads to cost savings and faster progress toward pilot careers, especially important in today’s high-demand aviation job market.

With this certification fully secured, the department is preparing its application for the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) Program, a distinction available to FAA Part 141 programs offered through four-year universities. Once approved, Morningside graduates will be eligible to apply for their airline transport certificates with 1,000 flight hours, instead of the traditional 1,500.

Moreover, Part 141 programs require that flight instructors and examiners meet standardized FAA oversight and accountability measures. This ensures consistent, high-quality instruction and greater reliability in student evaluation and training outcomes, creating a safer, more effective pathway to the flight deck.

“Our graduates will now enter the workforce with credentials from a program backed by the FAA’s most rigorous standards,” said Dr. Thomas H. Paulsen, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Aviation. “This elevates our program and provides our students a critical advantage in a competitive and growing aviation industry.”