Welcome!

Whether you're an experienced aviator or just starting out, you're in the right place. Ready to roll up your sleeves and learn something new?

View Training Services Get in Touch
Cockpit instrument panel view over the clouds Close up of aircraft instrument panel

Why I Fly

Flying is unique in my view. A highly visceral experience, especially tailwheel, where every aspect of a person comes into play. Pilots get to use their mind as well as their body to turn a science into an art. All while having a darn good time. What could be better than that?

Instructor and student in the cockpit

Flight Training Services

Sport Pilot Certificate

This recently became a really great option, privileges allow you to fly about the same aircraft as a private pilot without holding a medical. For this reason I recommend NOT doing your medical before training. Talk to me first. (eCFR Subpart J)

  • FAA Minimum: 20 flight hours
  • Medical: U.S. Driver's License eligible

Private Pilot Certificate

Comprehensive primary instruction to earn your wings and safely navigate the skies. (eCFR Subpart E)

  • FAA Minimum: 40 flight hours
  • National Average: ~70 flight hours

Commercial Pilot Certificate

Elevate your flying to the professional level with advanced maneuvers, precision airmanship, and mastery of commercial operations. (eCFR Subpart F)

  • FAA Minimum: 250 total flight hours
  • Prerequisite: Private Pilot Certificate

Tailwheel Endorsement

Master conventional gear aircraft, energy management, and advanced stick-and-rudder techniques. (eCFR 61.31)

  • FAA Minimum: Proficiency-based
  • Average Time: 5–10 flight hours

Flight Review (BFR)

Fulfill your 24-calendar-month requirement, shake off the rust, and review critical regulations (eCFR 61.56). Please also see the WINGS program to the right.

  • FAA Minimum: 1 hr ground / 1 hr flight
  • Average Time: 1.5 hrs ground / 1.5 hrs flight

FAA WINGS Program

In lieu of a flight review I recommend the WINGS program. This resets your currency on a rolling basis and helps keep you proficient year-round. The ground can be done on your own as well!

  • Requirement: 3 Knowledge & 3 Flight Activities
  • Benefit: Satisfies Flight Review (BFR)

Private Pilot Syllabus

The goal of pilot training is proficiency, good habits, and improv skills. These skills are supported by theory, understanding, experimenting, and practice. The material can be vast and complex, but you CAN understand it, and I'm here to clear up any confusion. Being dilligent on the ground will also save you money on ground lessons and help you progress faster in the cockpit. This outline is very subject to change based on student needs.

Lesson Topic Resources / Links
STAGE ONE: Pre-Solo
Flight 1 Introduction to Flight
Ground 1 Energy and The Power Curve
Flight 2 Four Fundamentals of Flight Ch. 4: Four Forces of Flight
Ground 2 Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems
Flight 3 Basic Flight Maneuvers Chapter 8: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 (8.5.1), 8.9, 8.9.4, 8.9.5, 8.9.6, 8.9.7, 8.9.8, 8.11, 8.12
Ground 3 Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace
Flight 4 Slow Flight and Stalls
Ground 4 Federal Aviation Regulations [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 5 Emergency Operations
Flight 6 Ground Reference, Approach and Landing
Flight 7 Review Nothing to do here!
Ground 5 Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance
Flight 8 Go-Around and Forward Slip to a Landing [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 9 Presolo Review [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 10 Presolo Review & Knowledge Test [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 11 First Solo [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground Stage 1 Stage One Knowledge Test [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 12 Stage One Check [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
STAGE TWO: Cross-Country & Preparation
Ground 6 Aeromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 13 Second Solo [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground 7 Aviation Weather [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 14 Short-Field and Soft-Field Takeoffs and Landings [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground 8 Towered Comms [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 15 Solo Maneuvers Review [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground 9 Navigation: Charts and Publications [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground 10 Navigation Systems [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 16 Navigation Systems & Basic Attitude Instrument Maneuvers [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground 11 Cross-Country Flight Planning & Sim/Instrument Refresher [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 17 Dual Cross-Country & Limited Panel / Unusual Attitudes / Towered Comms [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground Stage 2 Ground Stage Two Knowledge Test [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 18 Night Flight - Local [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Ground Exam Ground End-of-Course Knowledge Test [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 19 Night Cross-Country [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 20 Solo Cross-Country (Part 61/141) [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 20A Solo Cross-Country (Part 61) [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 20B Solo Cross-Country or Local Flight (Part 61) [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 21 Maneuvers Review [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 22 Solo Practice [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 23 Maneuvers Review [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 24 Solo Practice [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 25 Stage Two Check [ Add lesson link/notes here ]
Flight 26 End of Course Test [ Add lesson link/notes here ]