Learn to Fly in New Jersey: Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, ATP & More at Essex County Airport

Century Air is an FAA Part 141 Approved flight training center located at Essex County Airport (KCDW) in Fairfield, New Jersey, approximately 20 miles and 30 minutes from Manhattan. We have been training pilots since 1975, making us one of the longest-established flight schools and the only school owned by a retired American Airlines pilot in the New York and New Jersey region. Whether you are a complete beginner looking to earn your Private Pilot Certificate or an experienced pilot building toward a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, Flight Instructor Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Century Air offers structured FAA Part 141 Approved programs designed to get you to our goal efficiently and safely. Our courses are open to hobbyists, career pilots, international students, and veterans using GI Bill benefits.

Why Choose Century Air for your Flight Training

Training at Century Air means access to experience, resources and professionalism that sets us apart from the typical flight school. Owned and operated by a retired Airline Pilot with over 30,000 hours of flight experience, Century Air brings decades of real-world aviation knowledge and professional flight experience directly into our training programs. From a student’s very first flight through advanced certificates and ratings, our programs are designed to develop knowledgeable, confident, and highly skilled pilots. We also provide specialized insurance-approved aircraft training (for owners) in a wide range of Cessna, Beechcraft, Mooney, and Piper single- and multi-engine piston aircraft.

Century Air operates an advanced Simulator Training Center featuring the state-of-the-art Garmin G1000 Mentor glass cockpit, and Redbird Full Motion MCX (AATD) simulators.

Whether you are taking your first aircraft flight or training for an advanced rating in our simulators, Century Air provides a level of quality, technology, and real-world training experience rarely found in general aviation. Our combination of advanced simulation technology, professional instruction, and comprehensive flight training capabilities distinguishes Century Air as one of the premier flight training facilities of its kind in the Northeastern United States.

For students pursuing a professional aviation career, Century Air is a partner school with Republic Airways, one of the largest regional airlines in the United States, providing career-focused students with a connection to the airline industry. We are also affiliated with Utah Valley University (UVU) for accredited online aviation coursework and are approved to provide eligible flight training benefits for U.S. Veterans through the GI Bill®.

For international students, Century Air is SEVP-certified and authorized to issue Form I-20 for eligible M-1 vocational students, allowing qualified students from around the world to pursue professional flight training in the United States.

Together, these programs and affiliations provide our students with expanded opportunities and resources as they work toward their education, professional pilot qualifications, and aviation career goals.

Century Air proudly serves student pilots from throughout New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York, including the greater New York City metropolitan area. Students travel to Century Air from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken, Jersey City, and communities throughout Northern New Jersey to experience the exceptional quality, professionalism, and depth of training that have distinguished Century Air for decades.

Our convenient Northern New Jersey location makes Century Air an excellent choice for aspiring and experienced pilots seeking high-quality, professional flight training in New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan area.