Questions&Answers

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.

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.

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.

Yes, because the FAA requires student pilots to train at night, we do provide night flying for our student pilots. Night training is just one aspect of the Private Pilot License course.

The hours logged on a simulator or airplane do not expire, but if a pilot has not flown in a long time, they are required by the FAA to meet a standard and experience level.

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!

To obtain a commercial pilot certificate under CFR Part 61, you'll need at least 250 flight hours, including 100 hours of pilot-in-command time and 50 hours of cross-country flying. Also, you'll need to get at least 10 hours of instrument training and 10 hours in a complex aircraft.
You need at least 250 hours of flight time for a commercial pilot's license
Once you get it, you can earn a comfortable income: The median salary for commercial pilots was $82,240 in May 2018. Entry-level pilots at the commercial level earn around $44,660.

The more frequently you take lessons and the harder you study at home all equate to how long it will take you to get your pilot’s license. The 40-hour minimum is just that, a minimum. It will take as long as it takes for you to be safe and knowledgeable enough to pass your flight exam. The FAA says that the national average for someone learning to fly is 80-90 hours.

A student pilot certificate is valid for 24 calendar months

You don’t have to be a particular age before you can begin to take flying lessons. That said, however, you do have to be at least 16 years old before you can solo an airplane (14 years old for the operation of a balloon or glider), and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate.

The possibilities are endless! Contact us to talk about the opportunities available to you. Having earned your PPL means you are ready to continue on to earn your Instrument Rating. After that, you can decide if you want to continue with your Commercial Pilot’s License.

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.

60 hours of Aviation Skills Development
7 hours simulator time in a Cessna 172 with an Instructor
40 hours flight time in a G-1000 Cessna 172
10 hours of solo flight time in a G-1000 Cessna 172
20 hours of one-on-one ground
6 hours of pre/post activity briefing

Now that you have your license, whole new freedom has been opened up to you. Do you want to fly to Portland for breakfast? Go right ahead. Or how about commuting to your next business meeting above all the traffic? With a pilot’s license, the possibilities are nearly endless.

• Start a new career in aviation
• Exciting vacations and day trips
• Explore new destinations
• Experience the beauty of night flights
• Learn aerobatics
• Conveniently visit friends & family

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.

A licensed commercial pilot may act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft for compensation or hire, as well as carry persons or property for compensation or hire. To put another way, holding a commercial pilot license means you are legally allowed to get paid as a pilot. With this license, you can do things like offer air tours, engage in rescue operations, take aerial photos, and perform crop dusting.

Unfortunately, headsets are not included in the tuition.

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.

For flight training, we tend to choose the Cessna 172 or Piper Archer with the Garmin G1000 because that is what you’d fly in real life.

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!

Student pilots have to pass a pre-solo written exam before taking their solo flight, the FAA private pilot written exam, and a practical exam/ checkride (flight test). These three requirements must be met to obtain a private pilot license.

Yes, If you complete CPL, you are eligible to complete the multi-engine add-on to receive your multi-engine rating. We are currently offering Commercial multi-engine add on in our school. Please contact us for more information.