Franklin Students Trade Waitlists for Flight Time
Pilot training near Franklin, TN at Shelbyville Municipal Airport (KSYI) & Tupelo Regional Airport (KTUP).
Beyond Franklin Limits
Accelerated Airline Readiness
As a resident of Franklin, you might be searching for flight schools near me only to encounter long waitlists, unpredictable hourly fees, and outdated equipment. You deserve a clear, structured path to your 1500 hour airline career requirement. By taking a short drive to our dedicated Shelbyville facility, you eliminate the friction of crowded local airspaces and maximize your actual stick time. You accelerate your progression toward your professional goals in a highly controlled, professional environment.
Our academy is recognized nationally as a 2026 AOPA Distinguished Flight School. This means you train with an award winning institution that prioritizes your career trajectory over basic hourly rentals. We offer a direct Professional Pilot Program designed to take you from zero experience to a Certified Flight Instructor in under 10 months. Instead of wondering how much your next lesson will cost, you get a fixed price package of $89,995 that covers everything from your Private Pilot License to your Multi Engine Instructor rating.
If you are comparing local options and programs similar to als aviation franklin tn, you will find our structured approach delivers unmatched efficiency. When you type flight school near me into your search engine, remember that the fastest route to the airlines requires training with the industry best. We are also the proud partner for the Williamson County Schools aviation pathway launching in August 2026, solidifying our commitment to the Franklin community. Choose a tennessee flight school that guarantees your future success.
Advanced Fleet Technology
Master Modern Glass Cockpits
Transitioning to the airlines requires absolute proficiency in the same systems used by commercial jets. While standard local options might keep you in fifty year old aircraft with outdated steam gauges, we guarantee your training happens in a modern fleet equipped with Garmin G3X Touch screens and digital GFC 500 Autopilots. You gain mastery over complex avionics systems early in your journey. This technological edge makes you a safer, more confident pilot when sitting for your evaluations.
You build true competence in our Vans RV-12iS aircraft which feature fuel efficient Rotax 912iS engines. This efficiency is exactly why our program costs remain fixed and predictable. Our students consistently bypass the delays common in other programs because our operations are streamlined for your success. You also have access to advanced redbird simulators including the FAA approved redbird td2 flight simulator and the full motion Redbird MCX. These powerful tools allow you to log up to 10 hours toward your Instrument Rating on the ground, saving you money while perfecting emergency procedures safely.
Whether you are looking for flight lessons near me in Franklin or exploring flight schools in mississippi for a broader perspective, our technology provides the definitive advantage. We even offer a specialized accelerated multi engine rating in our six seat Piper Aztec. You finish your twin engine requirements in just a few days, securing your multi-engine rating tennessee certification and getting you to the hiring pool faster than your peers.
Your Clear Flight Path
Overcome Training Uncertainty
The decision to become a professional pilot carries significant financial and personal weight. You might worry about hidden fees, aircraft downtime, or instructors who treat you as just another logbook entry. We eliminate those risks before you even step onto the tarmac. You receive a guaranteed fixed price model that protects you from cost unpredictability. You learn from dedicated career mentors rather than instructors who are just passing time building their own hours. Every step of your journey is mapped out clearly.
We maintain a full time in house mechanic team to keep our seven aircraft fleet fully operational and ready for your scheduled flights. This infrastructure ensures you complete your training on time without frustrating maintenance delays. When searching for reliable tennessee flight training, you need a partner with a proven track record. We graduated over 50 successful pilots in 2024 alone. Our students do not just pass their checkrides, they excel. You can start with a simple discovery flight to experience our professional environment firsthand.
If you want specialized paths like accelerated sport pilot training, we provide targeted curriculums to match your exact goals. We serve students across the country looking for top tier tennessee flight schools or high quality flight school mississippi facilities. We remove the guesswork so you can focus entirely on mastering the art of flying, providing the best tn flight training available today.
- 140+
- Active Students
- 50+
- Graduates in 2025
- 7
- Training Aircraft
- 2
- Locations
Why Drive to Train
Strategic Training Advantages
Taking a short drive from Franklin for your aviation education ensures you escape the distractions of home and immerse yourself completely in your career. You surround yourself with over 140 active students who share your ambition and drive. This focused environment accelerates your learning curve and builds your professional network from day one. Our locations offer the perfect blend of controlled airspace and diverse terrain. This means you practice complex procedures without the heavy commercial traffic delays found near major hubs like Nashville.
We represent the pinnacle of flight schools in tennessee and the surrounding regions. Whether you are researching a tennessee flight training, flight school setup or looking specifically for a program with full career packages, we have your ultimate solution. We also cater to specific community needs through initiatives like our tennessee flight, youth organization, shelbyville connection and our Williamson County Schools partnership. Your search for the perfect flight school tennessee or flight schools tennessee options ends with our comprehensive professional programs.
Skip the generic online videos and join our fourteen week, in person ground school featuring an exam pass guarantee. Explore our financing options including Stratus Financial and AOPA Finance to see how accessible your dream career can be. You secure your future in the skies by choosing an academy that treats your success as its primary mission.
Fixed Price Guarantee
You pay a predictable $89,995 for your zero to CFI journey without worrying about hourly rental spikes.
AOPA Distinguished
You train at a facility recognized nationally for instructional excellence and high student success rates.
In House Maintenance
You fly on schedule thanks to our dedicated mechanics who ensure high fleet availability.
Hear from our students
Our Success Stories
Discover how our aviation academy launched the careers of aspiring pilots, flight instructors, and aviation professionals. Real voices. Real dreams taking flight.
"These guys are top notch!! I called today last minute if they had any last minute openings with an instructor. The manager was very enthusiastic and paired me up with Dan! Their aircraft's are all new, the 'vibe' at the facility was nothing like I've experienced. I've been to 2 other flight schools in Nashville and they are uptight, it seems intense and every man for theirselves so here was quite refreshing. They had their own mechanic on staff. Planes were very clean. I can't rave enough about the experience. Top notch guys! I'll see you guys again once the weather clears up!"
Jude Sanchez
Private Pilot Student
"Hawkins is an incredible place to be! The staff consistently strives to go above and beyond in order to provide their students with top tier training and experiences. From the moment you enter the building you can feel the excitement and passion that both the owners and instructors possess for all things aviation. They offer some of the best pricing in the area as well as an incredible fleet of brand new aircraft which are equipped with top of the line Garmin avionics. Whether you are getting your private certificate or you want to be a career airline pilot I have no doubt that Hawkins Flight Academy will do everything in their power to make your aspirations a reality."
Bradley Edens
Flight Student
"Love this flight school!! I completed IFR training and recently passed IFR checkride. Now working on commercial. I'm convinced that Light Sport Aircraft are really the way forward for training. The Garmin G3X avionics in all the planes are absolutely fantastic. Hawkins has safe great new planes, responsible and thoughtful ownership, attentive and relational CFIs that are concerned with teaching and not solely building time. These are metrics of longevity and success and Hawkins has it. I also love that I'm building TAA time from day one. While other flight training schools felt mercenary, Hawkins presents a real value for value exchange in their service model. Excellent!"
Jason Germain
Instrument Pilot Graduate
"Hawkins is hands down the best flight school around. Everything about them is organized and incredibly accommodating to the students. They have awesome planes and the instructors are the best in the business. I’m super grateful to them for helping me get my PPL and can’t wait to keep working on my other ratings. I highly recommend giving them a call if you’re interested in flying!"
Brandon Tipps
Private Pilot Graduate
Enroll Now
Reach Out to Hawkins
Let's Get You In The Air
All other times by appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
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We operate out of two locations: Shelbyville, TN (KSYI) and Tupelo, MS (KTUP). Only Short Commute to Shelbyville away from Franklin, TN. Both locations offer modern training fleets and full-time instruction.
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Our fleet includes RV-12s with Garmin G3X glass cockpits, a Piper Cherokee 140, a Vector Harmony, and a Cessna 172. All aircraft are maintained to the highest safety standards.
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Yes. We specialize in fast-track training for career pilots, with personalized scheduling to help you move from zero experience to CFI as efficiently as possible.
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We offer program-based pricing on our RV-12s—no hourly rental required. This helps keep training costs predictable and affordable for students.
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Yes, we work with trusted aviation finance providers to offer flexible financing options for eligible students.
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Absolutely. A discovery flight is the best way to experience what it’s like to train at Hawkins. Contact us to book one at either location.
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Yes. Whether you're training on weekends or pursuing an accelerated full-time program, our instructors will tailor your schedule to meet your goals.
Ready for Takeoff?
Book a Discovery Flight Today
Experience the thrill of flight firsthand with a Discovery Flight at Hawkins Flight Academy. Whether you're considering a career in aviation or just want to see what it’s like to be in the pilot’s seat, this is the perfect first step. You'll fly with a certified instructor and take the controls yourself—no prior experience needed.