Primary Flight Training

Private Pilot

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A young man wearing sunglasses, a white t-shirt, and black shorts is sitting on the wing of a small white airplane under a clear blue sky, with a large tree and some buildings in the background.

License to Learn

Everyone starts here! A Private Pilot certificate allows individuals to fly for personal and recreational purposes either alone or with passengers. Private pilots cannot be compensated for their flying services but can carry passengers and share the expenses of the flight. The requirements for obtaining a private pilot certificate include a minimum number of flight hours, passing written and practical exams, and meeting medical standards.

A Private Pilot certificate can be earned with a minimum of 40 hours through Part 61 or 35 hours through Part 141. The national average for earning a Private Pilot is 75 hours, however, it all depends on your availability and individual learning process!

Two women working on the landing gear of a small airplane parked outdoors, with other aircraft and trees in the background.

Instrument Rating

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Pilot in sunglasses and a hat operating the controls of an airplane cockpit with a navigation display and gauges.

Fly in the Clouds

A pilot's instrument rating is an certification that allows pilots to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) and in conditions of reduced visibility, relying primarily on cockpit instruments for navigation and aircraft control. An IFR rating is an essential for a career pilot, and a proactive safety measure for recreational pilots!

An instrument rating can be earned with a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country PIC through Part 61 or 35 hours of simulated instrument through Part 141. Much of this time can be logged with a safety pilot or in an approved simulator, making it a more cost effective rating!

Close-up of a cockpit dashboard with analog gauges and a GPS navigation screen, showing altitude, speed, and heading information.

Commercial Pilot

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Photo taken from an airplane showing a small aircraft flying near the airplane wing during sunset or sunrise, with a colorful sky and a distant horizon.

Get Paid to Fly

A commercial pilot certificate authorizes individuals to fly aircraft for compensation or hire. Commercial pilots can work as flight instructors, charter pilots, aerial photographers, and other aviation-related professions. To obtain a commercial pilot certificate, candidates must meet specific flight experience requirements, pass written and practical exams, and hold a valid medical certificate.

A Commercial Pilot certificate can be earned with a minimum of 250 cumulative hours through Part 61 or 190 hours through Part 141. These hours do include 50 hours of cross country PIC, 10 hours of TAA or complex time, and 10 hours of simulated instrument for those without an Instrument Rating.

Inside view of a small aircraft cockpit, showing the instrument panel with gauges and controls, as the plane flies over a landscape at sunset.

Advanced Ratings

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Two young men sitting inside a white aircraft at an airport, giving thumbs-up and smiling, with a clear blue sky and distant landscape in the background.

Level Up Your License

Takeyour flying beyond the basics. Searching for top-notch multi-engine training? Sky Trails is proud to offer Multi-engine Commercial add-on, Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) training, and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification, all hosted in our Diamond DA42.

Aspiring Flight Instructor? Let our experienced instructors mentor you to become a confident, knowledgeable, and market-competitive CFI.

Looking for something beyond the beaten path? Expand your skills with our Tailwheel endorsements, Single-Engine Seaplane ratings, and Mountain Flying courses, and experience aviation from an entirely new perspective.

Two young men are standing beside and inside a small white helicopter or aircraft, with the pilot's door open. One man is inside the cockpit raising his arm with a fist, wearing sunglasses and a light gray t-shirt. The other man is outside, looking contemplative, wearing a sleeveless top and khaki pants, with a backpack on one shoulder. The scene is set outdoors during sunset with a partly cloudy sky and distant trees.
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