Air Force JROTC Flight Academy
Each summer, Air Marion and Marion Municipal Airport host the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy — a group effort in partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University and Jeff Air — taking high-school cadets from the classroom to the cockpit and a real Private Pilot certificate before they head home.
See the latest updatesFrom cadet to certificated pilot in one summer.
The Air Force JROTC Flight Academy is a prestigious, scholarship-based program that introduces cadets to a future in aviation. Hosting it is a true group effort: Air Marion and Marion Municipal Airport provide the home base, working hand-in-hand with Indiana Wesleyan University and Jeff Air to put cadets in the air nearly every day.
It's hands-on, it's demanding, and the results speak for themselves — a completion rate well above the national average, with every flight hour logged right here at Marion Municipal Airport.
Summer 2026 updates
Follow the cadets' progress all season. We'll post milestones, solos, and photos here as they happen.
Cadets arrive at KMZZ
Our 2026 cohort touches down for orientation, ground school, and their first look at the aircraft they'll be flying all summer. Check back here for weekly updates and photos.
First solos
Replace this with your update text when cadets reach their first solo flights — and add a photo to the gallery below.
This summer at the field
A look at this summer’s cadets — ground school, the flight line, and life at KMZZ. More added as the program flies on.
The path through the academy.
Selection & arrival
Cadets are selected through the national JROTC scholarship process and arrive at Marion for orientation and ground school.
Daily flight training
Working one-on-one with their flight instructors, cadets fly nearly every day, building the skills and hours toward their certificate.
Checkride & wings
The summer culminates in the FAA Private Pilot checkride — many cadets leave KMZZ as certificated pilots.
Questions about the academy?
Whether you're a cadet, a parent, or an instructor partner, we're happy to tell you more about the program at Air Marion.
Get in touch