The Fleet That Gets You There
Our Piper Archer and Piper Seminole fleet at Des Moines International Airport gives Iowa student pilots the glass-cockpit experience and multi-engine time needed to build a professional aviation career. We have the best-in-class fleet to get you from Private Pilot to Career Pilot.
Single-engine trainer · Private through CFI/CFII
Piper Archer
Where Iowa Pilots
Become Airline Pilots.
The foundation of flight training in Des Moines
Vertical Vision Flight Academy trains student pilots in Des Moines, Iowa on the Piper Archer — one of the most proven single-engine training aircraft in aviation. Our Piper Archer fleet at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) is predominantly equipped with the Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit, giving students hands-on experience with the same avionics suite used in modern commercial and regional aircraft from day one.
Whether you are working toward your Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL), or Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII) rating, the Piper Archer supports every stage of your single-engine training in Iowa. From first solo to your final single-engine rating, Vertical Vision’s Piper Archer fleet is built to get you there efficiently and professionally.
Primary avionics
G1000NXi
Garmin glass panel
Engine
180 hp
Lycoming O-360
Autopilot
Integrated
Garmin autopilot
Ratings supported
PPL · IR
CPL · CFI · CFII
Piper Archer Training at Vertical Vision Flight Academy — Des Moines, Iowa
Vertical Vision Flight Academy offers Piper Archer flight training in Des Moines, Iowa at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM). Students pursuing a Private Pilot License in Iowa, an Instrument Rating in Des Moines, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, or a CFI rating train in our modern Piper Archer fleet equipped with Garmin G1000NXi avionics and integrated autopilot.
The Piper Archer is a four-seat, low-wing, single-engine aircraft powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine. It is widely regarded as one of the best primary and instrument training aircraft available, offering stability, predictable handling, and a glass cockpit avionics suite that mirrors the flight decks of regional airline aircraft. At Vertical Vision, the Piper Archer is used for Private Pilot training, Instrument Rating training, Commercial Pilot training, and CFI and CFII certification in Des Moines and across Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What aircraft does Vertical Vision Flight Academy use for training?
Vertical Vision uses the Piper Archer for single-engine training and the Piper Seminole for multi-engine training.
Does Vertical Vision have glass cockpit aircraft?
Yes, the majority of our Piper Archer fleet is equipped with the Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit.
Where is Vertical Vision Flight Academy located?
Vertical Vision Flight Academy is located at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM), 6214 SW 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50321.
Multi-Engine Trainer · MEL · MEI
Piper Seminole
Where Iowa Pilots
Get Multi-Engine.
The path to your multi-engine rating and airline career at KDSM
Vertical Vision Flight Academy operates a factory-new 2025 Piper Seminole at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) — Iowa’s premier multi-engine training aircraft. Equipped with the Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit and twin Lycoming O-360 engines, the Seminole is FAA-approved for multi-engine rating training, Commercial Pilot Certificate requirements, and MEI certification. Every multi-engine hour logged in the Seminole counts directly toward ATP minimums, putting Iowa student pilots on the fastest path to a regional or major airline career.
Year
2025
Factory new
Avionics
G1000NXi
Full glass suite
Engines
2× 180hp
Lycoming O-360
Ratings supported
MEL · CPL
CFI · MEI
Piper Seminole Multi-Engine Training at Vertical Vision Flight Academy — Des Moines, Iowa
Vertical Vision Flight Academy offers Piper Seminole multi-engine flight training in Des Moines, Iowa at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM). Our 2025 Piper Seminole is one of the most capable twin-engine training aircraft available, purpose-built for students pursuing a multi-engine rating in Iowa, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, or CFI and MEI certification.
The Piper Seminole is a four-seat, low-wing twin-engine aircraft powered by two 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engines with counter-rotating propellers. It features retractable landing gear and a constant-speed propeller, satisfying FAA requirements for a complex aircraft endorsement. The Seminole’s Garmin G1000NXi avionics suite mirrors the glass flight decks found in regional airline aircraft, making it the ideal platform for pilots building toward an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multi-engine aircraft does Vertical Vision use for training?
Vertical Vision Flight Academy trains multi-engine students in a factory-new 2025 Piper Seminole equipped with the Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM).
Does the Piper Seminole qualify for a complex endorsement?
Yes. The Piper Seminole has retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller, satisfying all FAA requirements for a complex aircraft endorsement needed for a Commercial Pilot Certificate.
Do multi-engine hours in the Seminole count toward ATP minimums?
Yes. All multi-engine flight time logged in the Piper Seminole at Vertical Vision counts toward FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate requirements.