17³Ô¹Ï

Aviation at Nicolet

​17³Ô¹Ï is dedicated to fostering aviation education and supporting aspiring pilots through initiatives like becoming an FAA testing location, coordinating aviation events, and offering the Private Pilot Ground School. Additionally, 17³Ô¹Ï is collaborating with other institutions to establish transfer opportunities for students seeking aviation degrees and is enhancing hands-on learning experiences by acquiring an FAA-approved flight simulator and drones. Learn more at the links below.

Private Pilot Ground School   |   FAA Exam    |   Drones

Learn to Fly: Private Pilot Ground School at 17³Ô¹Ï

17³Ô¹Ï will offer its next Private Pilot Ground School March 10 to May 12, 2026. Registration is now open! Learn about the joys of flight, what it takes to become a pilot, and the many career options there are in the aviation field. Over 200 Wisconsin companies have ties to the state's aerospace sector, and more than 26,000 people are employed in Wisconsin by companies that support aviation businesses and aerospace manufacturers. Learn more about Private Pilot Ground School >

Flight Training in Northern Wisconsin

17³Ô¹Ï does not operate aircraft or provide flight training, but a number of our ground school students are flying with the following flight schools:

Lakeland Aviation -  Rhinelander and Minocqua
Cessna 172 (two)
Redbird FMX Flight Simulator

Lakeland Airport (KARV)
715-356-3891
Rhinelander Airport (KRHI)
715-365-3456

Wausau Flying Service
Wausau Downtown Airport (KAUW)
Cessna 150 & 172, Stearman Bi-Plane, Flight Simulator

715-845-3400

KTKV Flyers
Tomahawk Airport (KTKV)
Cessna 172 Flying Club
Redbird FMX Flight Simulator
Facebook: KTKV Flyers
715-612-3336

Northwoods Gateway Aviation
Langlade County Airport, Antigo (KAIG)
Cessna 140, 152 & 172

715-623-4525

Additional information about flight training can be found at:

Aviation and Aerospace in Wisconsin

Jobs in aviation go far beyond flying! The average aircraft contains thousands of parts from hundreds of different suppliers, with many people involved in their operations, resulting in many types of jobs in aviation. There are many careers available other than the pilots up front flying the plane.

Over 200 Wisconsin companies have ties to the state's aerospace sector, and more than 26,000 people are employed in Wisconsin by companies that support the aviation and aerospace manufacturing sectors.

Wisconsin ranks above the national average for employment concentration in many different professions relating to aviation and aerospace. They can include:

  • Pilots
  • Flight Instructors
  • Mechanics
  • Airline pilots, mechanics and flight crews
  • Airline operations and management
  • Air Charter operators
  • FAA inspectors
  • Avionics Technicians
  • Air Traffic Controllers
  • Aeromedical Operations
  • Fixed Base Operator (FBO) operations
  • Aviation Education
  • Aviation Sales and Marketing Professionals
  • Aviation Manufacturing
  • Industrial engineers
  • Machinists
  • Maintenance and repair workers
  • Tool and die makers
  • Welding and fabrication
  • Airport Management and Operations
  • Flight Schools
  • Commercial Drone Pilots Operators
  • Aerial Photography, Mapping and Surveying
  • Aviation engineering

Aviation Education

17³Ô¹Ï does not currently offer a for-credit aviation program, but we are working to establish arrangements with several other 2-year and 4-year institutions. In many of these programs, credits earned for passing your written FAA exam, your Private Pilot License, or other General Education classes may transfer to an approved degree program.  We will post that information when it is available. 

If you’re interested in an aviation college education, please contact Curt Drumm at 17³Ô¹Ï at  cdrumm@nicoletcollege.edu