Elevate Your Aviation Skills with Expert Training

Why Learn to Fly?

Many learn because it has been a life long dream, or possibly a career opportunity. Others find it as a way to create a legacy they can share with family and others.

You will become a member of an elite community, as only one person in five hundred holds a pilots license. Joining this community will not be easy nor inexpensive. It never has been, and probably never will. Whatever reason applies to you, if you decide to do it, it will be a life changing experience.

People who start on this endeavor in “midlife” need a community of peers and instructors that understand that there is everyday life and commitments beyond just getting the rating. There are family and personal issues that need to be discussed here and at home in greater detail. We understand this, and will tailor your instruction to meet your goals.

Young or old, if you are interested, give us a call. We will be happy to set up a personal tour and answer your questions.

Aircraft

We currently have a Cessna 172 available for training purposes. It is equipped with current technology flight and navigation equipment.

The current aircraft rental rate is $170.00 per hour. This price is a wet price, meaning that it includes everything necessary to operate the aircraft. In addition, instructors will cost between $60 and $70 per hour.

We attempt to have access to other aircraft to meet the specific aircraft requirements for the different ratings and endorsements you may require or desire.

Training in your aircraft: This can be arranged in most all cases.

Pilot Ratings

Student Pilot

This is the first step in the process. You must hold a Student Pilot Certificate in order to perform the training necessary for your Sport or Private pilot ratings. 

The basic requirements are:

• Be at least 16 years old to Solo
• Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language
• Hold at least a third class medical certificate for the Private rating

Your instructor will guide you through the process to obtain this certificate. They will also be able to discuss the general requirements and concerns for a medical certificate, and assist you in locating an appropriate medical examiner.

Sport Pilot

The Sport Pilot certificate has recently been amended to allow much more flexibility in the type of aircraft that may be flown. This allows a Sport Pilot to fly many of today’s four seat production aircraft. Total persons aboard the aircraft remain the same: Two, the pilot and one passenger. This rating has limitations, but will allow many people who cannot get a medical to fly. Also, any time acquired here can be credited towards the Private certificate.

• Be at least 17 years old
• Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language
• Hold at least a drivers license – Some restrictions apply
• Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test
• Pass a practical test
• Additional training may be required depending on the aircraft type to be flown

Training under Part 61 requires a minimum of 20 hours of flight time, including 15 hours of flight with an instructor and 5 hours of solo flight. As you can see, the training requirements are a lot lower to start with than the Private certificate. Your instructor can discuss this option further with you. During this training you will hold a Students Pilots Certificate but possibly not a medical certificate.

Private Pilot

The Private Pilot certificate is the one held by the majority of active pilots. It allows the command of any aircraft (subject to appropriate ratings) for non-commercial purposes, and gives almost unlimited authority to fly under visual flight rules (VFR), day or night. Passengers may be carried and flight in furtherance of your or your employers business is permitted. However, a private pilot may not be compensated in any way for services as a pilot, although passengers can pay a pro rata share of expenses, such as fuel or rental costs. Private Pilots may participate in activities such as Civil Air Patrol and many others.

• Be at least 17 years old
• Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language
• Hold at least a third class/basic medical certificate
• Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test
• Pass a practical test

Training under Part 61 requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of flight with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight. There are additional requirements, but these are the basics. During this training you will hold a Students Pilots Certificate.

Instrument Pilot Rating

The Instrument Rating is added to your current Private or Commercial pilots license and allows you to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Now you don’t have to see visually in order to fly from one location to another. This graduate course greatly adds to your overall confidence in operating an aircraft in any type of airspace.

• Hold a current private or commercial pilot certificate
• Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language
• Have a minimum of 50 hours of qualifying cross country flight time
• Hold at least a third class/basic medical certificate
• Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test
• Pass a practical test

Training under Part 61 requires a minimum of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight time, including 15 hours with an instrument flight instructor, and a 250 mile x-country under simulated or actual instrument conditions with an instrument instructor. There are additional requirements, but these are the basics.

Commercial Pilot

This certificate now allows you to get paid for your flying. In general, you must have an instrument rating along with this rating to fly for hire, but there are exceptions. In many cases, people get their instrument and commercial ratings simultaneously. This rating is not adequate for an airline pilot, but is the stepping stone in the process. You will ultimately need to acquire your ATP.

• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language
• Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test
• Pass a practical test

If training under Part 61, at the time of your commercial check ride, you must have a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, including 100 hours of pilot in command flight time, 50 hours of cross country flight time, 10 hours of instrument instruction, and 10 hours of instruction in a complex, turbine powered, or technically advanced airplane (TAA), or any combination. There are additional requirements, but these are the basics.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

This is the ultimate certificate. Required for the airlines by regulation and by many of the larger general aviation flight departments. The entry requirements for this rating are quite steep.

• Private or Commercial license and instrument rating
• Be 21 years old
• 750 hours PIC (military path)
• 1000–1200 hours PIC (approved aeronautical degree program)
• 1500 hours PIC if you just accumulate the hours yourself along with specific ground school requirements

As you can see from the above, the accessibility to this rating has some very high hurtles to meet. Unless you are going to the airlines as soon as possible, the reality is you will probably acquire the 1500 hours by the time you apply for a job that requires this rating as a condition of employment.