Meadow Lake Airport in Peyton, Colorado serves the flight training needs of the greater Colorado Springs area and is home to several of Colorado Springs’ most famous (and some of its most infamous) flight schools. Ranging from accelerated, career-focused training to casual aircraft rental to aerobatic and upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT), the Flight Schools at Meadow Lake Airport are guaranteed to offer something for everyone.
The Flight School at Meadow Lake
For All Your Flight Training Needs
The Flight School at Meadow Lake, also known as The Flight School at Colorado Springs, is now the largest, most affordable and reliable flight training at the Meadow Lake Airport. Operating both traditional Cessna 172 and Cessna 150 aircraft in addition to a growing fleet of brand-new SLSA aircraft, The Flight School at Meadow Lake offers training from Sport Pilot to Flight Instructor and everything in-between. The Flight School at Meadow Lake even offers weekly housing to its students and time-builders.
The school’s time-building program redefines extremely-affordable flight time building. The school’s operations team connects time-building pairs, offers housing and schedules night flight time-building to ensure maximum value for its customers. Time-builders can often achieve 30-60 hours per week while flying the operation’s aircraft for as low as $55 per hour per seat–and that’s a wet (with fuel) rate!
The Flight School at Meadow Lake also offers mountain training, casual training toward a Private Pilot Certificate and Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Checks and simulator training in partnership with the Meadow Lake Airport’s local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter, EAA Chapter 72.
Meadow Lake Flyers
For Casual Training and Aircraft Rental
A recently-formed branch of Centennial Flyers, the sizable flight club and aircraft rental operation out of Denver’s Centennial Airport, Meadow Lake Flyers offers affordable aircraft rental for members of the club in both locations. Those who often fly at Centennial Flyers in Denver can stop by the Meadow Lake airport and, after a 15 minute facilities checkout, can rent aircraft and receive instruction at the Meadow Lake Flyers location, and vice-versa. Meadow Lake Flyers is managed on-the-ground by the folks at The Flight School at Meadow Lake.
Aces Up Aviation
For Aerobatic Training, UPLT and Aspiring Fighter Pilots
Gar, a retired offers both Private Pilot and Aerobatic training from his field just north of the crosswind runway at the far end of Cessna Drive under the banner Aces Up Aviation. The go-to school for anyone seeking a blood-pumping (or stopping, depending on how many Gs you pull) experience, Aces Up Aviation is the best option in Colorado Springs for spin endorsements and fighter pilot qualification training. For casual flyers interested in handing an aircraft inadvertently in an upset, inverted. or otherwise tricky situation, Aces Up Aviation. is a great choice. Gar’s students are well-known for a fervent admiration and rave reviews.
MOVED: Direct Connect Flight Academy
For GI Bill, VA Benefits and 141 Programs
A former resident of the Meadow Lake Airport, Part 141 Flight School Direct Connect Flight Academy has now moved to the Colorado Springs Airport (KCOS), where its airline-pilot founders offer flight training for those seeking a Part 141 flight school environment and whose training can be paid for by GI Bill or VA benefit funding.
The Dead Reckoning Society
For Multi-Engine Time-Building and Those Who Don’t Actually Need a Flight School
Though The Dead Reckoning Society is not a flight school and specifically does not advertise instruction, this non-profit flying club offers the use of its aircraft to its members only. Membership dues amount to $100 per month or $1,000 per year and the club’s multi-engine Aeroprakt A-26 is a great way for students and aircraft renters to build multi-engine time quite affordably. Primarily, the group is an aviation social club and not a flight school, hence its special title here.
Springs Aviation
Also still a flight school at the Meadow Lake Airport
Though few in our circles recommend what was formerly the go-to flight school at Meadow Lake Airport, Springs Aviation remains a landmark inside the Airport Association’s FBO. Offering relatively-expensive rental of its fleet of mostly Cessna 172 aircraft, the operation remains plagued by lawsuits from former employees and as of this writing, also appears embroiled in a lawsuit with the Meadow Lake Airport Board itself.
Finding The Right Flight School at Meadow Lake Airport
Finding the right flight school at Meadow Lake Airport isn’t as simple as typing “flight school near me” and picking the first Google result (though if you did, you might’ve landed here—so, well done). The Meadow Lake Airport in Peyton offers a surprisingly wide range of training options for a relatively small airfield—from career-focused academies and military-minded aerobatic instruction to grassroots flying clubs and a few… let’s just say, “colorful” local institutions.
What makes Meadow Lake a gem (if you want to call it that,) apart from its vibrant cast of characters, is its environment. It’s a pilot-controlled airport sitting at nearly 6,900 feet elevation—no control tower, no long taxi lines and no waiting behind 737s for takeoff. Flight students at Meadow Lake experience the freedom of general aviation in its purest form while still being close enough to Colorado Springs to fly into controlled airspace for tower operations and controlled instrument work.
Whether you’re training for your Private Pilot Certificate or grinding toward your Commercial and CFI, the flight schools at Meadow Lake Airport cover the full spectrum. The key is finding one that fits your personality, goals, and budget.
If you want structure, speed, and results: The Flight School at Meadow Lake offers accelerated programs, affordable time-building, and a serious approach to career pilot training. If you want flexibility and casual weekend flying, Meadow Lake Flyers has club-based rentals that make it easy to stay current without commitment. And if you just want to do loops and rolls to scare your parents, Aces Up Aviation specializes in aerobatics and UPRT.
No matter which you choose, expect a bit of somewhat-organized chaos, a planeload of learning and a front-row seat to one of Colorado’s most uniquely authentic aviation communities.
How to choose a flight school at Meadow Lake Airport
Choosing a flight school at Meadow Lake Airport (KFLY) is a little like choosing a mechanic—you want one that’s competent, transparent, and ideally, not being sued by anyone this week for creating major safety issues. It’s worth spending a little time touring the facilities, talking to instructors and getting a sense of how each operation treats its students and maintains its aircraft.
Here’s a quick checklist to separate the good from the questionable:
- Aircraft Maintenance: Are the planes clean, cared for and airworthy—or held together with duct tape and hope?
- Instructor Quality: Ask how long instructors stay with the company. A typical tenure for a CFI is about a year to two years. If they’ve been there longer, ask why—instructors making a career out of instructing may be worth flying with, but instructors who simply can’t find another job or have been flying less because no one wants to fly with them may not be worth flying with.
- Scheduling: A school with lots of aircraft and no students may have availability for a reason, so don’t fall into the “they can never fit me on the schedule” trap. Sometimes it’s worth waiting for an instructor who everyone wants to fly with because they’re a good instructor. On the other hand, you’ll want a school that is consistent and honest about its scheduling and availability, so ask to see the schedule itself.
- Culture: Does it feel like a professional training environment or a weekend mom ’n’ pop? There’s no wrong answer—it just depends on what you’re looking for. How does the school treat employees? How does it treat students? Be careful, however, not to equate delays with disrespect. Aviation is full of delays and rescheduling you (sometimes multiple times) doesn’t mean a school is disrespecting or ignoring you—weather, maintenance and other safety-related factors absolutely necessitate delays. Being frustrated with excessive delays is fine, but if you find delays entirely unacceptable, aviation may not be for you.
- Cost Transparency: “Wet rate” means fuel included. If you’re being charged for every molecule of oxygen, keep shopping. Ask about testing fees, materials, ground schools, ground instruction and any other very necessary costs that schools will charge you, one way or another. Prices should be transparent and available. Ask for all-in estimates. Any school giving you a guaranteed quote is probably a scam, since no one can predict how much flight time a certificate will take you.
- Safety Record: Don’t be afraid to ask. Reputable schools will be upfront about safety, incidents and how they handle risk. Unless they’re very new, every school has had an incident or issue of some kind. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to you.
The best way to choose is to fly a discovery flight with a couple of schools. You’ll learn more in one hour of flying—and a post-flight hangar chat—than you ever will reading online reviews.
Why Meadow Lake Airport is (Still) One of the Best Places to Learn to Fly
Despite its reputation for chaos, Meadow Lake Airport is actually one of the best training environments in the state. It offers a mix of untowered operations, short cross-country hops to towered airports like Colorado Springs (KCOS), and real-world exposure to density altitude, mountain weather, and the occasional rogue pattern flyer.
With over 340 days of sunshine, students can fly almost year-round. And because the airport sits outside Class C airspace, it’s easy to train without waiting on ATC or sharing pattern space with heavy traffic.
Add in the local pilot community—equal parts mentorship, gossip, and outright lies about what people have done with an airplane—and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable training experience.
Colorado Springs Municipal Flight Schools vs. Meadow Lake Flight Schools: What’s the Difference?
Flight training in Colorado Springs at Colorado Springs Municipal (KCOS) tends to be more expensive and laborious. You’ll deal with ground control, tower clearances, and a parade of airline traffic that makes even the shortest taxi feel like a marathon.
Meadow Lake, on the other hand, is where you actually learn to fly—not just follow instructions. You’ll make your own radio calls, practice real-world decision-making, and occasionally navigate a pattern full of everything from 172s to experimental taildraggers.
If you’re looking for a Part 141, VA-approved program, Direct Connect Flight Academy at the Colorado Springs Airport is your best bet. If you want flexible Part 61 training, The Flight School at Meadow Lake is next to impossible to beat on affordability and valuable experience.
Flight School Costs in Colorado Springs
Flight training isn’t cheap. In fact, paying for flight training can feel like entering an unrecoverable flat spin. In Colorado Springs, prices range anywhere from $43,000 to $150,000, depending on where you train and how disciplined you are. The Flight School at Meadow Lake consistently ranks among the most affordable in the region, with programs starting around $43,000 for a full commercial pathway and flight time with an instructor under $200 per hour.
Rates as low as $55 per hour per seat (wet) for time-building make The Flight School at Meadow Lake the most cost-effective way to log hours in Colorado—especially if you’re staying in student housing and flying daily.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a Colorado Springs flight school that can take you from zero to airline pilot, or just a flight school near me where you can finally earn that long-dreamed-of Private Pilot Certificate, Meadow Lake Airport has something for every kind of aviator.
It’s not polished, it’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not boring—but that’s what makes it the beating heart of general aviation on Colorado’s Front Range.
Frequently-Asked Questions About Meadow lake Airport Flight Schools (FAQ)
Is the Meadow Lake Airport dangerous?
Arguably, sometimes Meadow Lake Airport can become a dangerous environment. The Meadow Lake Airport’s infamy is well-known throughout the Colorado Front Range and among aviators across the nation who’ve ventured into the busy pattern. Most notable for the “cowboy” behavior of several of its residents who choose to fly unpublished approaches in disruption of other aircraft’s pattern work Meadow Lake Airport’s high elevation and summertime heat have also helped it earn a hazardous reputation. Runway incursions are often reported and one preliminary accident report cited reports of aircraft performing aerobatics in the pattern.
Those seeking to navigate the pattern at Meadow Lake Airport safely should keep their heads on swivels and utilize all tools for traffic avoidance and hazard awareness available, including keeping eyes up and outside the cockpit as well as more modern solutions like ADSB-in for iPad or MFD traffic advisories. Beware not all aircraft flying into and out of Meadow Lake Airport are equipped with ADSB-out or electrical systems at all.
To learn to navigate the Meadow Lake Airport pattern and surrounding area more safely, flight schools like The Flight School at Meadow Lake offer one-off training flights, mountain training and other courses that discuss the specific dangers of the area and the Meadow Lake Airport.
Where is Meadow Lake Airport?
The Meadow Lake Airport is located approximately 14 miles northeast of Colorado Springs, CO. The airport’s official elevation is 6878 feet above sea level and located in Class G airspace.
Is Meadow Lake Airport a public airport?
The Meadow Lake airport is a privately-owned airport available for public use. The Airport is owned by the Meadow Lake Airport Association (MLAA).
What is Meadow lake Airport’s code?
The Meadow Lake Airport’s FAA identifier is KFLY.
Where is KFLY?
KFLY is the FAA identifier for Meadow Lake Airport, located in Peyton, Colorado. The airport is in Class G airspace approximately 14 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, CO.
How many airports are in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is home to several public, private and military airports and airfields. Colorado Springs Municipal (KCOS) is the primary commercial airport in Colorado Springs and also serves the Peterson Space Force Base. Meadow Lake Airport (KFLY) remains open to the public and is located in Peyton, CO, 14 miles northeast of Colorado Springs, and serves as a reliever airport for Colorado Springs.
Other nearby airfields include Colorado Springs East (CO4), located northwest of the town of Ellicott. This general-aviation focused airfield serves the greater Colorado Springs Area to its east. Davis Airfield (AFF) serves the Air Force Academy to the north and Fort Carson also maintains Butts Army Air Field (FCS) to the south of Colorado Springs. The USAF auxiliary airfield known as “Bullseye” (CO90) to the east of Colorado Springs serves the Air Force only, but provides an additional runway for emergency aircraft. To the northeast lies Calhan Airport (5V4), a turf and gravel strip just north of the town of Calhan.
A handful of private airfields dot the northern and eastern landscape, with creative names like “Fat Chance,” “Perry Park,” “Kelly Air Park,” “Tranquila,” “Mountain View Ranch” and “Bijou Springs Ranch.”
How many flight schools are in Colorado Springs?
The Colorado Springs area is host to over ten flight schools. Choosing the right school for you can be a challenge, so we’ve put together lists of the Best Flight schools in Colorado Springs and the list above documenting the flight schools specifically at the GA-focused reliever field, Meadow Lake Airport.
Is flight school in Colorado Springs expensive?
Flight school anywhere is expensive. The costs go beyond the sticker price, too.Most flight schools in Colorado Springs are no exception, but The Flight School at Meadow Lake at Meadow Lake Airport offers affordable training that is just about as inexpensive as flight training can be without sacrificing quality.
For those paying for flight training with the GI Bill or whose VA Benefits may provide financial support for flight training, Direct Connect Flight Academy in Colorado Springs works hard to ensure any additional costs are as low as possible.
How much does flight school in Colorado Springs cost?
Becoming a certificated commercial pilot in Colorado Springs can range in cost from approximately $43,000 with The Flight School at Meadow Lake Airport to as high as $150,000 or more with other schools. The Flight School at Meadow Lake is the least-expensive flight training option in Colorado Springs by several thousand dollars.
