Flight School FAQ

Getting Started

  • No experience at all! Most of our students have never been in a small airplane before their Discovery Flight. We guide you through every step.

  • There is no minimum age to begin flight lessons. However, you must be 16 years old to solo a powered airplane and 17 years old to earn your Private Pilot certificate.

  • A Discovery Flight is your first introductory flight lesson.

    What You Can Expect:

    • Sit in the pilot seat

    • Take the controls (if you’re comfortable)

    • Get a tour of the school

    • Meet an instructor

    • Learn about your training path

    It’s the best way to know if flying is right for you. Learn more here.

  • Becoming a student starts with a Discovery Flight, where you’ll meet our team and experience the controls firsthand. From there, we’ll match you with a dedicated instructor, help you select a training aircraft, and set up your scheduling account to begin regular lessons.

Medical & Certification Requirements

  • Not right away; you can begin lessons without one. However, you must obtain a medical certificate before you are allowed to fly solo. To our convenience, Aviate Medical practices out of our building if one is needed.

    There are three types of FAA medical certificates: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class.

    Your instructor can help guide you on which medical class aligns best with your goals.

  • Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) are FAA-authorized doctor’s who complete aviation medicals. We are fortunate to have an in-house AME right at our facility, making the process extremely convenient. You can schedule your appointment directly here.

  • It is a free FAA-issued certificate required for solo flight. You apply for it through the FAA’s IACRA website, and your instructor will guide you through the process.

The Training Experience

  • While the FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours, the national average is typically 60–70 hours. On a calendar basis, your timeline depends entirely on your weekly consistency:

    • 3–4 lessons/week: est. 3–5 months.

    • 2–3 lessons/week: est. 5–8 months.

    • <1 lesson/week: est. 8–12+ months.

    Pro-Tip: Flying more frequently reduces the need for review, leading to faster progress and a lower total cost.

  • Because training is a personalized experience, the total cost varies based on your chosen aircraft, how often you fly, and your personal study habits. We prioritize quality instruction and well-maintained aircraft to ensure you progress efficiently, which saves you money in the long run.

    • Personalized Budgeting: We sit down with every student to map out a realistic path and budget based on your specific goals and schedule.

    • Transparent Estimates: You can view our full breakdown of estimated costs for all ratings—based on national averages and real student data—at the link below.

    View CDA Training Cost Estimates

  • While there is no set minimum, we recommend flying 2–3 times per week. Consistency is the number one factor in lowering total training costs and building skills faster.

  • Each session usually lasts about 3 hours. This includes a pre-flight briefing, the pre-flight inspection, 1–2 hours of flying, and a post-flight debrief.

  • You must:

    • Be at least 16 years old

    • Have a medical certificate

    • Hold a Student Pilot Certificate

    • Demonstrate proficiency in takeoffs, landings, emergencies, and procedures

    • Meet FAA and instructor requirements

    Your instructor will make sure you are fully prepared.

  • Yes, but we recommend choosing one primary aircraft to maintain consistency early in training. You can always switch later once you’re more experienced.

  • CDA Aviation's ground school program is online-based, utilizing Sporty's, a trusted self-paced online program. As you progress through the curriculum you can practice the FAA written exam as you go. Ground instruction is provided on an as-needed basis in person with your instructor. Learn more HERE.

  • Most students take the written test about halfway through their training. Your ground school/instructor will tell you when you’re ready.

    When ready, you can schedule your written test here: FAA PSI Exams

    • FAA Written Exam: $175

    • Online Ground School: $300

  • Yes, all students must carry renter's insurance before their first solo flight. For your protection and ours, a current non-owned aircraft insurance policy is required to rent our planes. Please provide proof of your policy, with a minimum of $60,000 in hull coverage and Bodily Injury and Property Damage coverage of at least $250,000 per occurrence. This policy assists in protecting you from financial liability in certain instances. Without this insurance you can be held financially liable for all damages. We recommend purchasing your insurance policy here.

  • Our simulator allows you to practice radio communication, emergency scenarios, fundamentals, and instrument flying at a significantly lower cost than the aircraft. It also features PilotEdge integration for real-world human ATC interaction. Learn more about our sim here.

  • Our Redbird is integrated with PilotEdge, giving students:

    • Real human ATC interactions

    • Taxi, departure, enroute, and approach clearances

    • CAT Ratings (11 levels) for student pilots

    • I-Ratings (11 levels) for instrument students

    • Recordings you can listen to afterward for feedback

    It’s the closest thing to real-world ATC you can get. Learn more here.


  • Yes. We are happy to train you in your own aircraft.

Payments & Scheduling

  • Scheduling is done through Flight Circle. Read more details here.

  • Billing is transparent: Instructor time is charged "handshake to handshake," and aircraft time is billed only for the actual engine running time (Hobbs meter). Learn more here.

  • We accept credit cards, debit cards, cash, and checks. Credit and Debit card payments incur a 3.5% pass-through fee from our credit card processing company, which can be avoided by preloading your account with cash or check.

  • We offer third party financing through Stratus Financial. There are also many excellent scholarship opportunities available both locally and nationally. Click HERE for more information.

  • If you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, there is no charge. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice incur a 50% charge for the reserved instructor and aircraft time.

  • No. Rather than having two different price structures, we have a flat-value-based-rate for our aircraft and our simulator. By having a flat, value-based rate we avoid having two separate pricing structures - this ensures everyone get's the best value.

  • Yes

For Licensed Pilots

  • Absolutely, many of our students continue to:

    • Instrument Rating

    • Commercial Pilot License

    • CFI / CFII

    • Time-building programs

    • Charter/career pathways

    We’ll help you find the right path based on your goals. Learn more about each training program here.

  • Yes! Once you have completed our standard checkout process - including a document review and a flight with a CDA instructor - you are welcome to rent from our fleet. Learn more about the rental process here.

  • At this time, rentals are limited to same-day, local use only to ensure our fleet remains available for active student training. If an aircraft is needed beyond a single-day use, please contact us for more details. If you’re simply looking for a ride to a destination, checkout our charter webpage.

  • Yes, once you have your Private Pilot certificate, you can carry passengers.

General Questions

  • You’ll eventually need:

    • A headset (headset provided for training purposes)

    • Logbook

    • Online ground school

    • EFB/iPad (optional but recommended)

    We will help you choose the right equipment at the right time.

  • That’s normal. Your instructor will move at your comfort level and ensure you feel safe and supported during each lesson.

  • Coeur d’Alene Aviation is located at the Coeur d'Alene Airport (KCOE). You can find our facility at: 11101 N. Airport Dr.Hayden, ID 83835.

    Get directions here

Have any Further Questions?

Call Us directly at: (208) 635-0805

Take the Controls. Earn Your Wings.

Book Your Discovery Flight

Start Your Aviation Journey and Come Fly with Us!
Join our Flight School for Personalized Instruction and Unmatched Support.

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