Frequently Asked Questions

At Skyline Aviation Training Academy, we’re committed to making aviation accessible to everyone, regardless of your experience or knowledge level. Explore our Frequently Asked Questions below for helpful information, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions—we’re here to help!

Table of Contents

Discovery flight: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you must have a passport or a drivers license and Birth Certificate on file in order to take a flight lesson. You will have the option to supply all necessary documentation when you redeem your gift certificate. You will be e-mailed our Liability Waiver, which will need to be signed prior to your flight. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions you are taking your flight in. We ask that you refrain from bringing heavy bags or backpacks, or any food/drink besides water

Discovery Flights are about an hour or .9 hours of flight time. You may extend the flight time an extra 30 minutes to an hour for an additional cost. Please see the front desk prior to your flight to arrange.

Yes! Your Discovery Flight will be logged in a complimentary soft cover log book, given to you after your flight. This flight time will count towards a Private Pilot Certificate; should you continue to train

Absolutely! We will be happy to help take pictures of you in or outside of the aircraft while on the ground, before and/or after your flight. A passenger may take photos while you are in flight.

*Please note, you will not be able to take pictures yourself while taking the flight lesson

Yes. Any type of flight training requires proof of citizenship via a U.S. passport, or drivers license and Birth Certificate. If you would like to learn more about flight training and are not a U.S Citizen please review our AFSP Page.

There is no age requirement to participate in a Discovery Flight, however the level of participation may change depending on the age of the participant. A parent or guardian must sign the liability waiver on behalf of any minor participant

A Discovery Flight Experience usually take 2 hours.

Private Pilot: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! If you are properly rated, you simply need to receive brief instruction in the type of plane you wish to rent and take a “rental checkout quiz”. Typically the necessary instruction will consist of a brief ground session and a short flight with an instructor to verify that you are able to safely operate the new airplane.

No, as long as you hold a valid aviation medical certificate, renter’s insurance, and current Pilot Certificate and appropriate ratings, you may rent aircraft from Skyline. A “rental checkout quiz”, brief ground instruction and a short flight with an instructor to verify that you are able to safely operate the airplane of choice will need to be conducted prior to rental

The length of time it takes to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate depends on how often you fly. Typically, if a student schedules 2 lessons each week, training can be completed in around 8 months. However, we are able to tailor our program to fit your needs. Many of our students schedule several lessons a week, depending on their availability. A typical lesson lasts 2 hours and includes both ground and flight instruction. Most students will obtain their Private Pilot Certificate after completing between 40 and 65 hours of flight training.

You need to be at least 17 years old in order to take the Private Pilot practical exam. You must be at least 16 years old to solo in an airplane

You can keep your Private Pilot Certificate current in one of two ways. You can add another certificate or rating, or alternatively, you can complete a flight review (required every 24 calendar months) with an authorized flight instructor

As a Private Pilot, you may not receive any form of compensation for flying. You can, however, fly with friends and share the expenses of the flight. You must fly within the legal weather limitations as prescribed by the FAA. You may require specific training and special endorsements to fly into Class B airports, which typically are high traffic volume international airports

With a Private Pilot Certificate, you can fly alone or with friends and family and share in the aircraft rental expense. Certain weather minimums must be met if you do not have an instrument rating.

Your Private Pilot training will involve flight and ground instruction. You can lessen the hours spent doing ground training with your instructor by studying the material at home. Remember, ground training is not required, but you will need it to pass your written and oral exams.

You may start your training at any point during the application process, however you will need to pay for your training out of pocket until the funds have been applied to your account with Skyline Aviation Training Academy.

Instrument Rating: Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 17 years old, and hold a Current Private or Commercial Pilot Certificate.

With an Instrument Rating you are able to fly in IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions. It will increase your safety knowing how to fly using instruments/non visual aids. It will also prepare you to handle any change in the weather you may encounter on a flight.

It may take 6-8 months to earn an Instrument Rating, however there are many variables that affect how quickly one earns their Instrument Rating. For example, bad weather on a day you are scheduled to fly. Generally, if a student studies the material and flies frequently, he or she will complete training in the shortest amount of time.

Training for the Instrument Rating will involve a lot of flying by reference to instruments. Some of this can be accomplished in one of our flight training devices. In the aircraft, you will be doing a lot of flying “under the hood”, meaning using a view limiting device, which confines your field of view to only the flight instruments. Some of your training also may be in “actual” IFR conditions.

You can keep your Instrument Rating current in one of two ways. (1) You can perform at least six instrument approaches; perform holding procedures; and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems every six months. (2) Alternatively, You can take an Instrument Proficiency Check with an authorized instructor.

Commercial Pilot: Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 18 years old in order to take the Commercial Pilot practical exam.

It may take 10-12 months to earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate, however there are many variables that affect how quickly one earns their Commercial Pilot Certificate. For example, bad weather on a day you are scheduled to fly. Generally, if a student studies the material and flies frequently, he or she will complete training in the shortest amount of time.

If you already have the minimum required flight experience, the amount of time needed to prepare for the Commercial Pilot Practical Test will largely depend on how long it takes to become proficient in the required maneuvers. 

Your Commercial Pilot training will involve a certain amount of dual instruction (with an instructor). You will also need some ground instruction. You can lessen the hours you spend going over ground training with your instructor, if you study the material at home.

With a Commercial Pilot Certificate, you can get paid to do certain types of flying. Some examples are: flying skydivers, scenic and photo flights, banner towing, or crop dusting. The Commercial Pilot Certificate is also a requirement to become a Certificated Flight Instructor.

You can keep your Commercial Pilot Certificate current in one of two ways. You can add another certificate or rating or, alternatively, you can take a biennial flight review (once every 24 calendar months) with an authorized flight instructor.

CFI: Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 18 years old and hold a Current Commercial Pilot Certificate.

There are many variables that affect how quickly one earns their Certified Flight Instructor Certificate. If you are self-motivated, then you can complete this rating in as little as 2 months from start to finish. The FAA is required to be notified prior to your check ride.

Your training for your Certified Flight Instructor Certificate will involve all Commercial maneuvers while commanding the aircraft from the right seat (the instructor’s seat). Commercial maneuvers such as chandelles, lazy 8s, steep spirals and stalls are all a part of the training. An applicants biggest challenge is the muscle memory to fly the aircraft from the right seat. However, practice makes perfect, and with our team of flight instructors to guide you through the process, you will be flying as well as, if not better than you were in the left seat. 

Another component of your training is the Oral Exam prep you will do with your instructor. This is the time to master your instructional abilities and learn what it takes to share the gift of flight.

As a Certified Flight Instructor, you may be compensated for instructing others. You are limited to the aircraft that you are rated with the exception of Multi Engine, which requires a separate certificate. You are allowed to instruct Private and Commercial students, but in order to instruct Instrument students you will require a Flight Instructor Instrument Certificate, which is an addition to your Certified Flight Instructor Certificate.

CFIs are required to renew their Flight Instructor Certificate every 24 months. This can be done by either taking a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC), a check ride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), or demonstration to a DPE of 5 successful student signoffs in the past 24 months.

CFII: Frequently Asked Questions

There are many variables that affect how quickly one earns their Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Rating. For example, bad weather on a day you are scheduled to fly may cancel a flight. Generally, if a student studies the material and flies frequently, he or she will complete training in the shortest amount of time.

Working with an instructor, you will both make the determination as to when you are ready to take the required exams; approximately 10-15 hours.

A combination of simulator training and flight training under the hood will occur during your training. You will train to proficiency; approximately 15 hours of flight time.

If you already have a Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, obtaining the Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Rating will reset your expiration date for 24 more calendar months. If you are training prospective instrument pilots, you must remain instrument current if you are instructing an aircraft in actual instrument meteorological conditions.

MEI: Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 18 years old, and hold a Current Commercial Certificate, and have 15 hours PIC.

With a Multi-Engine Instructor Rating you are able to instruct pilots to safely fly a multi-engine aircraft. You can also gain hours towards your ATP.

You must have a minimum of 15 hours PIC in a multi-engine aircraft. Part 61 multi-engine instructor training is “train to proficiency”. The training is very individualized to each individual and where they are at in their training.

Learn how to instruct the added complexities, normal and emergency procedures of multi-engine aircraft with a combination of simulator and in flight training.

You must renew your MEI rating every 24 calendar months.

Multi-Engine: Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 17 years old, and hold a Current Private or Commercial Certificate.

With a Multi-Engine Land Rating you are able to safely fly a multi-engine aircraft.

Part 61 multi-engine instructor training is “train to proficiency”. The training is very individualized to each individual and where they are at in their training.

You must renew your Multi-Engine Land Rating every 24 calendar months by way of a flight review.