History & Eligibility
About Us – IAAC History
The International Aerospace Accrediting Commission (IAAC) was formally launched in February 2023 as a separate and independent accrediting commission. The IAAC accreditation program will bring cultural change to the Ab Initio flight training and aviation focused career-training space within the United States and ultimately other nations. The genesis of the Commission began in 2017 with original support from the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA).
Utilizing a group of aviation thinking partners representing flight training institutions and aviation employers, the IAAC accreditation process was developed to include a set of industry training standards, that conform to industry needs and support the various federal flight-training regulations promulgated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and to which various aviation focused schools must adhere.
IAAC accreditation seeks to maintain the highest standard for aviation training with respect to graduate competency, sound business practices and professionalism.
While safety and high quality training are paramount driving forces at the IAAC, it is a goal of the IAAC to demonstrate that it is a reliable authority on flight and aerospace training and education, and to seek recognition for the U.S. Department of Education, thus permitting IAAC accredited schools to participate in U.S. federal student tuition aid programs.
IAAC Eligibility Criteria
The International Aerospace Accrediting Commission (IAAC) is the accreditation body that oversees the IAAC Institutional Accreditation Program.
IAAC Scope and Eligibility Criteria: The Scope of the International Aerospace Accrediting Commission is for institutions that offer career training primarily in non-degree clock-hour vocational flight, aviation and aerospace related trade and technical occupational programs.
Institutions eligible for application to, and accreditation from, the IAAC must offer programs that lead to gainful employment in an aerospace related field as its primary purpose. Such training may include, but not be limited to, programs that are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Such programs as those offered under 14 CFR Part 141 for Pilot Training, Part 142 Simulator Training Centers, Part 147 for Mechanic Training, Part 65 Dispatch Training, Air Traffic Control (ATC) Training and Part 107 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Pilot Training. [Note: schools training under Part 61 may be eligible if for such training the institution utilizes an FAA Approved Curriculum and meet the IAAC Standards].
Flight schools are in the business of education. Accreditation ensures a minimum standard of quality and enhances the quality of flight training education. This includes maintaining academic values that meet and/or exceed accreditation standards.
The purpose of IAAC accreditation is to maintain the highest standard for flight schools in respect to industry business practices and professionalism.
IAAC accreditation will provide the public with an opportunity to identify flight schools that comply with a set of established criterion, which by way of recognition demonstrates the school meets or exceeds the core focus of these accreditation standards.
IAAC accreditation is the recognized standard and litmus test to which the public and flight training vendor community may refer in evaluating schools and programs with whom they wish to affiliate.
IAAC accreditation helps schools training in aerospace related competencies to develop sound academic, business and financial practices, which lead to improved student learning, retention and completion.
Continuous accreditation recognition generates an aggregated positive impact among both flight schools and the public. The process of accreditation is an ongoing, interactive and evolving system of standards and best practices that lead to continued improvement at IAAC Institutions.
The International Aerospace Accrediting Standards are designed to focus on these core areas within the flight-training environment:
Institutional and Program Quality and Integrity
Security
Business Practices
Education
Safety
Risk Management
Finance and Accounting
Student Satisfaction