At Embry-Riddle, becoming a pilot is more than just learning to fly — it’s about becoming one of the best in the sky. Since 1926, our Daytona Beach Department of Flight has been the launchpad for future airline captains, military aviators and commercial flight professionals. Flight training isn’t just part of what we do — it’s the foundation our university was built on.
From our earliest days developing the Master Airman designation, we’ve trained pilots to exceed expectations. Our students earn their wings and learn to handle aircraft in all conditions, solve real-world problems and fly with confidence, professionalism and purpose.
You’ll train on a fleet of more than 100 advanced aircraft, comprised of Cessna 172s and Diamond DA42s, supported by state-of-the-art avionics and industry-leading simulation technology. Our campus includes three academic buildings, a full-service hangar and one of the most advanced simulator labs in the country. With more than 200 dedicated flight instructors, close to 100 technical support staff and a 25-person technical support team, you’ll have the tools and mentorship you need to succeed.
Ready to take off? Let Embry-Riddle help you get there.
Pushing the Envelope of Possibility
College Labs
College Labs
Our labs and facilities offer dynamic, hands-on environments where students practice real-world skills.
In the Department of Aviation Maintenance Science, students thrive in a dynamic research environment, mentored by faculty who actively publish, secure grants and drive innovation.
Our diverse staff helps students climb higher. They have a wealth of experience in the field of Aviation Maintenance Science. This puts our students on the leading edge of learning.
It’s more than just learning to fly. Safety is always a top priority at Embry‑Riddle, and their flight operations are also run the same way that airlines do it, with the same attention to detail and following regulations. It has made it an easier transition for me than for someone who didn’t have that kind of experience.”
The Department’s educational philosophy is that ethical and responsible behavior — nested in a culture of safety and professionalism — is imperative for the success of its graduates.
The goal of the Flight Department is to provide the aviation professionals of tomorrow with the knowledge, skills, abilities and judgment necessary to succeed in the global aviation community.
The intent of the Department is to accomplish its mission by:
Serving the student body, the department, the college and the external community in support of the university’s overall mission
Investing in and maintaining an exceptional safety culture
Recruiting, training and using top-quality instructional staff
Acquiring and maintaining the appropriate national and international certifications for pilot training
Providing the appropriate certifications required for students to become professional pilots
Infusing state-of-the-art flight simulation into the curriculum
Employing scenario-based training to develop advanced aeronautical decision-making
Providing a well-structured program to sustain the high level of standardization and professionalism demanded by the industry
Using quality management techniques to continuously enhance the flight program
Collaborating with industry leaders and aviation experts worldwide
Operating Seven Days a Week, 51 Weeks a Year
Embry‑Riddle’s Flight Department operates seven days a week, 51 weeks a year, only shutting down between Christmas and New Year's Day. Normal hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Embry-Riddle is one of the largest aviation training universities in the nation. Our practice area reaches north to St. Augustine, west to Leesburg and south to Titusville, providing nearly 450 square miles for local training.
During cross-country training, our students can be found anywhere from Charleston, SC to Key West, FL.
Department Location
The Flight Department is located at our campus in Daytona Beach, FL. Our Flight Line is within walking distance of all dorms and classrooms. That means our students don’t have to catch a shuttle to take them to where the airplanes are. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Sitting on the eastern side of the airport, our flight ramp stretches nearly a quarter of a mile to accommodate our fleet. Daytona Beach International Airport offers the opportunity to fly in an active Class C airspace, where students learn to work with air traffic control and other operators ranging from flight-training aircraft to scheduled air carriers. This mix of airplanes coming in and out of Daytona Beach serves as a great learning tool for our students and helps prepare them for careers as professional pilots.
Multiple instrument approaches are available at the airport, as well as full radar services provided by ATC. Very few other flight schools can offer this combination of convenience, safety and exceptional learning environment.
And, of course, the weather is almost always ideal for flight training, which means our students spend more time in the air and less time “grounded” waiting for the weather to clear.
Professional & Commercial Airline-Style Approach
As a flight student at Embry‑Riddle, you’ll be introduced to an airline-style approach to flight training. Our structured system teaches each student the importance of thorough preflight preparation, safety-minded flight operations and a rigorous academic approach to understanding the theory and principles that make flight possible.
Our modern fleet is equipped with the same avionics and flight instrumentation that can be found in today’s airliners. Using the latest in fleet management software and flight-tracking equipment, we’re able to dispatch and retrieve hundreds of flights every day.
All of our students play a critical role in this process, and their attitudes as professional pilots make it all possible. Each of our graduates are fully prepared for the airline environment because they’ve been living it for the last four years.
Nothing is more satisfying than taking novice flight students and turning them into commercial pilots who are primed and ready for careers as airline pilots. We look forward to each new class of flight students, and we hope you’ll let us show you why Embry‑Riddle has put more pilots in the cockpits of major airlines than any other flight school in the country.
Yes. Embry-Riddle is the only university where the Flight Line is located on the main campus and is within walking distance of its dormitories and classrooms. The campus is also adjacent to Daytona Beach International Airport. See map for details.
Yes. Embry-Riddle students and immediate family members are permitted to observe any flight training activity. Any person participating in a training flight must be in proper attire — long pants, shirt with sleeves, socks and closed-toe shoes. Check in at the flight desk and inform the dispatcher that you wish to observe a training flight. The student being observed must agree to take a passenger.
Yes. You are required to have a headset, electronic flight computer, plotter, iPad and a kneeboard. These items may be acquired through the Embry-Riddle Bookstore or other commercial sources.
Check in at the flight desk and let the dispatcher know that you want to observe a flight. The flight desk will attempt to find a student who agrees to fly with a passenger. Be sure to bring your FTRA badge with you; it is needed to get onto the ramp. If you do not have an FTRA badge, the flight supervisor can issue a temporary badge.
Private Pilot (FA 121) Training Start Dates
At Embry-Riddle, students are phased into our training at different start dates for capacity and safety reasons. Training start dates are assigned on a first come, first served basis depending on your matriculation date to the university. You can identify your start date by looking at your flight block registration (FA 95S). Each section will line up with the start date listed in the chart below (based on the semester you are registered for):
FA 95S Sections
Semester
50, 51 & 53
60, 61 & 63
70 & 71
80 & 81
Fall Semester Start Date
Week 1
Week 5
Week 9
Week 13
Spring Semester Start Date
Week 1
Week 5
Week 9
Week 13
Summer A Start Date
Week 1
Summer B Start Date
Week 1
Week 5
Instrument Start Dates
Start dates for instruments occur on a first come, first served basis as well. However, students are assigned daily as room in the flight block section (FA 95I) permits.
Yes. For safety reasons, any person occupying Embry-Riddle aircraft must wear long pants, a shirt with at least short sleeves (NO shirts with cutoff sleeves or sleeveless shirts), socks and closed-toe shoes.
Assistant Chief Flight Instructors are experienced instructors who supervise a team of flight instructors. Training managers are responsible for tracking student progress throughout their flight course and for solving any problems that may arise.
Training progress falls under non-directory educational records, which cannot be shared without the student's permission. Students may grant auxiliary access to non-directory records through Campus Solutions in their Student Self Service Center.
Once Auxiliary Access has been granted, the University will be able to disclose non-directory information and respond to inquiries from the student-designated individuals. Students may revise their designations for disclosure at any time through Auxiliary Access in Campus Solutions.
You will need to provide proof of citizenship to Flight Data and Certification located in the Flight Operations Building (#26) Room 207.
If you are a U.S. citizen, an original birth certificate AND a valid driver’s license OR a valid Passport AND copy of the birth certificate serves as proof. If you do not have an original birth certificate, a certified raised-seal copy from Vital Statistics will be accepted. Flight Data and Certification will also need copies of your medical certificate, pilot certificate (if applicable) and EagleCard (university ID).
First time flight students will have the opportunity to apply for a Student Pilot Certificate with one of Embry Riddle’s 141 Airmen Certificate Representatives on campus.
IMPORTANT: Due to FAA regulations, it is mandatory that all official documents listed above include your full legal name spelled out in its entirety. Please contact Flight Data and Certification with questions regarding documents needed for flight training at 386-226-7660 or 386-323-8073.
You will be assigned to your flight instructor after you have registered for a flight course, proven your citizenship and your FAA medical certification at the Embry-Riddle Flight Data and Certification Department.
Your instructor will contact you via your university email or by cellphone.
Students who matriculate with a valid FAA Private Pilot Certificate will be enrolled in FACR 99A: Transition to Embry-Riddle and validation of pilot Certificate/Rating. Upon successful completion of FACR 99A students will be eligible to enroll in the instrument rating flight course. In addition, students will receive academic advanced standing for the Private Pilot courses (ASCI 121 Private Pilot Operations – 6 credits and FACR 121 Private Pilot Flight – 1 credit).
Students who arrive with flight experience but lack final FAA certification will be enrolled in Embry-Riddle’s Private Pilot flight course (FACR 121) and the Private Pilot academic course (ASCI 121). Based on demonstrated proficiency and flight experience, a student may be permitted to receive credit for specific flight lessons in the FACR 121 course, as determined by an Embry-Riddle flight instructor, check instructor or assistant chief instructor. If the student is granted over 25% credit for the flight lessons in the FACR 121 course then the student must complete the FAA private pilot practical exam with an FAA Designated Examiner (DE) to earn FAA certification once the course is completed. The student will be responsible for the DE fee.
After matriculation to Embry-Riddle, students may not complete any flight certifications/ratings off campus for Embry-Riddle academic credit or course completion. The only exception occurs when all of the following conditions are met before matriculation to Embry-Riddle:
The student has already completed all FAA-required aeronautical knowledge and flight training for the Private Pilot Certificate par FAR part 61/141
The student’s logbook contains a valid FAA instructor endorsement authorizing them to take the FAA Private Pilot Practical Test
The student must complete the off campus flight training within the semester that the off campus permission is provided
In this limited case, the student may be approved by the Chief Instructor to complete the FAA practical test off campus.
