Your first flight commonly referred to as the “Introductory Flight’’, is a very exciting experience! Your instructor will give you a general overview of the airplane as well as how the flight controls work. Once in the plane, the instructor will guide you as you take the controls and prepare for takeoff! Once in the air, you’ll venture out towards Jones Beach to catch some breathtaking views of the Fire Island. Your instructor will then guide you through the steps of basic aircraft maneuvering before returning back to our based airport. For most people, it ends up being the best minutes of their lives!

Perhaps the most important element in successfully learning to fly is sheer desire. Once you’re ready to invest your time and effort in learning to fly, it’s time to go ahead and take the first steps.

A pilot logbook is a record of a pilot’s flying hours. It contains every flight a pilot has flown, including flight time, the number of landings and types of instrument approaches made. Pilots also log simulator time, as it counts towards training.

The aviation industry is full of technical terms you will have to know. We have prepared a list of these terms /help/terminology so you can study them before starting our school.

You’ve already completed the first step. Making the decision that you want to pursue flight training is the most important step. However, before you fully invest your time, effort, and money it is recommended that you take an “Introductory Flight” in order to experience what it’s like to fly in a small airplane. After this, you will know for sure whether or not flying is for you.

Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question, nor should anyone start their pilot training with this question constantly lurking in their mind. Everyone learns differently, and there is no way around that. The regulations only require a pilot applicant to complete 40 hours of flight before taking the practical test. However, a more realistic average is about 65 hours of flight time.

An Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) typically gives you a student pilot certificate to fill out as part of the third class medical exam. Your flight instructor will likely refer you to a local AME, or you can find an examiner online using AOPA’s database of AMEs searchable by city and state. A student pilot certificate is valid for 24 calendar months and a third-class medical could be valid for up to 36 months, depending on your age at the time of your AME visit. If your student pilot certificate expires first, you can get a new one from a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) or your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

You can find the nearest medical examiner through search the FAA database here: AME Locator. There are three types of medicals: Classes I, II and III. Student and Private pilots only need a Class III medical and student pilots much also request a student pilot certificate when scheduling the exam.

It depends. For most student pilots, an aircraft such as a Piper Archor or Cessna 172 is probably the most suitable, although there are a number of other aircraft that can provide an excellent introduction to flight while offering reasonable operating costs.

There are no age restrictions, however, participants must be at least 5 feet tall.

We suggest flying a minimum of 2-3 times a week in order to progress through your training efficiently. Our schedule allows for a customize-able schedule which allows you to choose your own class times and pace!

To be an airline pilot you will need to hold an Airline Transport Pilot rating, however, there are a few steps to take before you get there!
Below we have outlined the most common way that we see people reach their airline pilot goals!

PRIVATE- First you will need to get your private pilot license. This allows you to rent an aircraft and go fly when the weather is looking good!

INSTRUMENT- After your private pilot rating you will get your instrument rating. This adds on an extra level of safety by teaching you how to fly in in-climate weather and through clouds with no reference to the ground. During your instrument rating, you will also learn how to fly on a flight plan and shoot approaches to an airport in low visibility situations!

COMMERCIAL- The next step is to get your commercial rating. This rating allows you to fly for hire, however, you will not have enough time or experience to be able to go fly for the airlines yet. At this point, you will have about 250 hours worth of flight time.

CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR- Your flight instructor rating allows you to teach others how to fly while building your hours toward the airline minimums (1500 hours).

AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT- After building up your time as a flight instructor, you can get hired on by an airline that will then pay for your airline transport pilot ratings and give you a type rating in the aircraft that they fly. You will need 25 hours of multi-engine time prior to being hired on at the airlines which most people acquire either after their commercial as an add on rating or as a flight instructor in a multi-engine aircraft.

The FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, internationally referred to as Commercial Pilot License (CPL) qualifies pilots to be financially compensated for piloting an aircraft. Unlike the Private Pilot Certificate, which is designed for recreational use and only permits the licensed pilot to share the cost of the flight, a CPL is a key to earning money through your service as an aircraft pilot.

General Aviation airplanes are built to rigid federal specifications, and our airplanes are constantly checked and rechecked to make sure they are both mechanically and structurally safe. People who fly are safety conscious. Safety is the most important word in aviation vocabulary and is the basis for all of your training.

An aircraft engine is a piece of finely built machinery that is designed to keep running. In the unlikely event of an engine failure, however, a plane does not just fall out of the sky. The airplane will descend slowly in a glide…just like a bird that is not flapping its wings. The procedures for dealing with these kinds of scenarios are thoroughly taught throughout your training.

The number one reason we cancel flights is because of excessive wind, which is also the most difficult weather events to predict. Often, cancellations will occur within a few hours of the flight reservation. Our instructors are very good at understanding aviation weather reports and they want you to experience the best of aviation with good visibility and smooth air. If the weather won’t play nicely with us, the representative will call to let you know and help you to reschedule the flight.

First and foremost STUDY before you go to the airport
While studying at home write down all your questions and come prepared to ask your instructor when you show up to the airport. You will learn more as an engaged student asking questions versus a one-way discussion where the instructor preaches aeronautical theory for an hour.
Fly regularly
Unfortunately flying is not like riding a bike. There are too many things that must be kept fresh in a new pilots mind and if they do not fly often they will be lost and have to be re-learned. You should commit yourself to fly at least two times a week. Flying is easy but earning a pilot certificate does take regular practice.
Become an airport geek and get to know other pilots!
Aviation is a tight-knit community. Knowing other pilots has its advantages such as meeting an aircraft owner who you can learn a lot about aviation. Also knowing people around the field you might land your first job since many flying positions are not posted publicly and are word of mouth.

Flight simulators
Flight simulators are especially great for learning instrument procedures since they can reset an approach in a matter of seconds. This allows a pilot to fly several more instrument approaches an hour versus just 1 or 2 in an aircraft. Also, this time in a simulator is significantly cheaper than flying an aircraft and counts towards required hours to complete the private, instrument, and commercial certificates!

After a lesson, we will make an entry in the pilot logbook. If you don’t have a logbook, we will provide you with a basic one.

Yes, you can bring your phone and cameras for the flight.

You will be given a headset to wear.

Unfortunately, headsets are not included in the tuition.

It depends. For most student pilots, an aircraft such as a Piper Archer or Cessna 172 is probably the most suitable, although there are a number of other aircraft that can provide an excellent introduction to flight while offering reasonable operating costs.

• 10 hours block time for 65/hour
• 20 hours block time for 60/hour
• 50 hours block time for 50/hour

It can normally be completed in 6-10 hours of training. It will also comply with the requirements for the Flight Review. There is no minimum number of hours required or a formal FAA written exam. There is an Oral/Practical Flight Exam with a Designated Pilot Examiner.

We suggest flying a minimum of 2-3 times a week in order to progress through your training efficiently. Our schedule allows for a customize-able schedule which allows you to choose your own class times and pace!

If you have been accepted and are coming to our office, here are the things you should bring with you. First of all, everyone will need to bring a laptop computer OR an iPad (or tablet of a similar size).
You should also bring all pertinent documentation, which includes:
Domestic Students:
Passport or Driver’s License and Birth certificate;
Current Medical certificate;
Copy of FAA license, if applicable.

Our instructors are active airline pilots who work with the simulator on their days off. The best way to meet/chat with an instructor is to book a lesson online or by calling us.