Student Operations & Training Policies
The Complete Guide to Scheduling, Billing, and Academic Standards.
Note: Your instructor may adjust these blocks for special sessions like solo flights, cross-country trips, or checkride prep.
1. Getting Started: Flight Circle
How to Access Your Account:
Discovery Flight: We assist with account creation following your discovery flight.
Front Desk: Our staff can get you set up upon request if you call or walk in.
Instructor Setup: Your instructor can create your account during your first meeting.
What You’ll Book: Instructor time, training aircraft, SIM sessions, and briefings.
All scheduling for aircraft, instructors, and simulators is managed through Flight Circle.
2. The Standard Lesson Structure
To ensure consistency and quality, we recommend a standard 3-hour block for most lessons. This ensures you have dedicated time for preparation and review without feeling rushed.
Note: Your instructor may adjust these blocks for special sessions like solo flights, cross-country trips, or checkride prep.
3. Transparent Billing
We believe in fair and predictable pricing.
You are charged based on:
Instructor Time: Billed from "Handshake to Handshake" - any time the instructor is teaching, coaching, or briefing you.
Aircraft Time: Billed hourly based on the Hobbs meter. (only when the engine is actually running).
Simulator Time: Billed hourly based on the Hobbs meter.
4. Commitment & Consistency
While we do not require a certain amount of lessons per week, consistency is the #1 way
to reduce your overall training cost.
High Performance
→ 3-4 lessons per week
→ est. 3-5 month finish
Standard Cruise
→ 2-3 lessons per week
→ est. 5-8 month finish
Leisurely Pacexx
→ < 1 lesson per week
→ est. 8-12+ month finish
5. Cancellation & No-Show Policy
To respect the schedules of our instructors and the availability of our fleet, we require 24-hour notice for cancellations.
More than 24 Hours: No charge. | Less than 24 Hours: 50% of the scheduled instructor and aircraft time will be billed.
GROUND TRAINING & ACADEMIC STANDARDS
The Sporty’s Building-Block Approach
Our flight school utilizes the Sporty’s Online Flight Training curriculum, which follows a logical "building-block" sequence where each lesson expands on previously mastered skills. To maximize training efficiency and reduce total flight hours, ground lessons and video segments should always be completed prior to their corresponding flight lessons. As you progress through the online modules, the Sporty's platform allows you to practice the FAA written exam as you go, ensuring you are fully prepared for the final test.
1-on-1 Instructor Support
While the Sporty’s online program delivers the core academics, your instructor provides critical preflight briefings and postflight evaluations to clarify complex maneuvers and aeronautical terms. If you encounter difficulty in a specific subject area or require a more in-depth explanation, you may request dedicated 1-on-1 ground sessions with your instructor for personalized instruction at any time.
Knowledge Verification & Testing
To maintain progress and safety, we implement the following academic milestones:
Stage Checks: These measure your accomplishments during each phase of the Sporty's syllabus to ensure proficiency before entering a new stage of training.
Presolo Written Exam: A graded review of local procedures and aircraft systems administered by your instructor before your first solo flight.
FAA Knowledge Test: To complete the ground portion of the course, students must score at least 70% on the final FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test (written test) prior to your checkride.
14 CFR Part 61 Flexibility
By operating under Part 61 regulations, we utilize the Sporty's curriculum to adapt the training schedule to your individual goals and pace. This ensures you meet or exceed all FAA aeronautical knowledge and experience requirements while maintaining a flexible schedule.
If you require assistance with your Sporty’s Online Flight Training account setup or navigation, our instructors can help guide you through the initial account creation & set-up.
Success Tips for New Students
Use the SIM: We teach in the SIM, we execute in the aircraft. Regularly use the simulator to reinforce skills at a lower cost.
Communicate: If you’re unsure how to book a specific lesson (like a solo or cross-country), just ask your instructor.
Book Ahead: Ask your instructor how far in advance they prefer you to schedule (many suggest 2–3 weeks out).
Come Prepared: Study between lessons and arrive ready for your briefing.
Ready to Schedule Your Discovery Flight?