GET TO KNOW THE SCHOOL
A closer look.
Southwestern Illinois College offers Aviation Pilot Training through an associate degree and shorter certificate options. Lectures take place at the Belleville Campus, while flight instruction is delivered through Ideal Aviation in Sauget. Both airplane and helicopter pathways are published. Airplane study includes private and commercial training, instrument and multi-engine qualifications, with optional instructor courses. The helicopter pathway identifies private, commercial/instrument, CFI and CFII training. The program also includes simulator study. Students can explore an SIU Carbondale continuation pathway after the associate degree, making SWIC relevant to applicants who want an initial community-college program with a later bachelor’s option.
College and flight-provider roles
SWIC holds lectures in Belleville and identifies Ideal Aviation in Sauget as its flight-training partner.
Airplane progression
Published airplane training includes private and commercial certificates, instrument and multi-engine ratings, plus optional CFI and CFII courses.
Helicopter pathway
The collegiate helicopter track describes private, commercial/instrument, CFI and CFII qualifications.
Degree continuation
SWIC describes a continuation arrangement with SIU Carbondale after completion of its associate degree.
Published training options.
The school’s published options are summarized below. Each note explains the training type and what to clarify when comparing the school’s exact course.
Aviation pilot training associate degree
An academic pathway with its own entry and graduation requirements. Compare the flight qualifications, academic credits and flight fees included in your chosen track.
Aviation pilot training certificate
The provider publishes flight instruction, but the exact course scope needs a closer look. Ask for the available certificates, ratings and current aircraft.
Private pilot certificate pathway
A private-pilot training path. Compare the aircraft used, ground-school arrangements and how lessons progress from initial skills to practical-test preparation.
Private pilot — airplane and helicopter
A private-pilot training path. Compare the aircraft used, ground-school arrangements and how lessons progress from initial skills to practical-test preparation.
Instrument rating — airplane and helicopter
Training focused on instrument flying, procedures and planning. Compare aircraft and simulator use, scheduling and the preparation expected before flight lessons.
Commercial pilot — airplane and helicopter
A commercial-pilot training option. Ask which aircraft category, prerequisites, experience-building flights and practical-test preparation are included.
Multi-engine training
Training in multiengine aircraft. Confirm whether the course is an initial rating, an add-on or a transition, and which aircraft will be available.
Flight instructor
Training in teaching, lesson preparation and instructional flying. Ask which instructor qualification is included and how practice teaching is assessed.
Instrument flight instructor
Preparation for instrument-instruction responsibilities. Confirm the required existing instructor qualification and whether simulator work is part of the course.
Simulator training
Practice using a training device. Ask which device is used, whether an instructor is included and how the sessions support your particular course.
The published multi-engine instructor approval is described as pending and is not included as an available course.
Aircraft & training scope
Aircraft categories: Airplane · Helicopter
Aircraft models: A current model list was not established from the reviewed sources. Ask which aircraft or training device your course uses.
This is a college program using Ideal Aviation for practical flight training; the Belleville campus itself is not the aircraft-training location.
Current aircraft models were not verified in the reviewed college sources. Individual course availability and transfer terms need confirmation.
Training framework & verification
Part 141: Matched to the FAA roster dated 2026-10-19. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school. The workbook does not list individual course approvals or establish training quality.
FAA reference: faa.gov. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school.
PART 141 SOURCE CHECK
FAA roster information.
This listing is matched to the supplied FAA Part 141 roster record. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school; the roster does not list course approvals or establish training quality.
SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE
Certificate DEMS159DLocation designator DEMS
Address as recorded: 2500 CARLYLE AVENUE, BELLEVILLE, IL 62221
Use the faa.gov facility dashboard for future cross-reference. The dated record above reflects the FAA workbook used for this directory update. How we check records
TRAINING FIT
Our school review.
SWIC provides a useful distinction between classroom location and the actual flying provider, and its helicopter track materially expands the options beyond airplanes. Students should compare the degree, professional certificate and private-pilot-only routes rather than assuming they carry the same requirements. A written plan from both SWIC and Ideal Aviation will help establish flight scheduling, separate charges and elective instructor availability. Transfer arrangements and the exact training approval for each course should be checked for the entering term.
An AI-assisted editorial assessment of the school’s published information. This is separate from student feedback. We have not attended or inspected this school.
WHAT THE AVAILABLE FEEDBACK TELLS US
Student review evidence.
Niche evidence: Niche's review page covers Southwestern Illinois College as an institution. Its overall feedback is useful for considering the broader college experience, but the page-level rating is not an assessment of the flight-training program or this location's aircraft and instructors. General institutional reviews are not separated into a representative aviation-program sample. Ask aviation students specifically about flight slots, additional flight fees, instructor changes, and time to complete each certificate.
How to read this evidence
General institutional reviews are not separated into a representative aviation-program sample.
Follow up with the school
- Can I speak with recent students who completed this course at this location?
- What are the current booking delays, instructor continuity arrangements, and typical total completion costs?
Read the review sources
- Southwestern Illinois College Reviews - Niche Third-party source
General institutional reviews are not separated into a representative aviation-program sample.
AI-assisted summary of the cited material. Public comments are individual experiences; the sample may be small, selective, or dated.
How we prepare review summariesMAKE YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION COUNT
Questions for Southwestern Illinois College.
- Which SWIC pathway matches my airplane or helicopter goal, and what is the current course sequence?
- How are flights at Ideal Aviation scheduled around lectures in Belleville?
- Which instructor courses are offered this term, and are they electives or part of my selected program?
- What flight charges, transfer requirements and remaining costs apply if I continue to the SIU bachelor’s pathway?
Sources & listing information.
School facts are compiled from the source material below. Imported record identifiers are retained for traceability and are not presented as proof of current certification.
- Southwestern Illinois College — college and flight-provider roles
- AVIATION PILOT DEGREE AND CERTIFICATES - Southwestern Illinois College
- Aviation Pilot Training Contact - Southwestern Illinois College
- Source-record reference: checkrides.ioReference retained from the supplied spreadsheet; current content not rechecked for this import.
- faa.gov — Find a FacilityFAA pilot-school facility reference. Part 61 instruction is not a separate FAA school certification.
View source record references
DEMS159D
Part_141_Flight_School_Websites (1).csv; faaverifiedp141.xlsx