Durango Flight Instruction LLC: FAQs

We estimate the cost to earn your Private Pilot's Certificate to be approximately $19,700.00 based on 70 hours of total flight time in a Cessna 182. This is the estimated cost for a Premium Member flying a C182 and training with one of our Professional Level Instructors. To finish in 70 hours you will need to demonstrate above average ability and be dedicated to studying outside of your scheduled lessons. The final cost will vary depending on a number of factors including pilot ability, training frequency, weather, airspace congestion, and the complexity of the aircraft used for the training. We do not sell pre-packaged training programs, we train to proficiency with the goal of safe flying and you meeting all FAA certification standards prior to signing you off for your FAA Checkride.

For a part-time student training 1-2 days a week or on weekends who is juggling a career and/or family, we plan on approximately a 6-12 month training program. If you can train 3-5 days a week we can accelerate your training and aim to be completed in as little as 3 to 6 months.

You will need proof of U.S. Citizenship or TSA Final Approval Letter prior to commencing your training. Prior to your first flight alone in the airplane (first solo flight) you will need to pass a physical examination with an aeromedical examiner to obtain your medical certificate. You will also need to show proof of non-owned aircraft insurance at the start of your training.

We recommend flight bag to keep all your things, including an aviation headset, charts, airport directories, flight computer, plotter, and FAA textbooks and the Cessna Pilot Center Ground School materials. The costs of these materials are extra.

You will be flying either a Cessna 182 during your initial training. We don’t recommend jumping back and forth between different planes as each plane has different performance characteristics and operating procedures. But some people enjoy learning at different airports with different instructors. This is a personal decision.

Aside from the aircraft and instructor fees, the cost of the FAA checkride, Phase Checks, and pilot supplies, are not included in the estimate. Supplies are approximately $1000, and checkrides are typically $700-$1200. 

No! Just come ready with a positive attitude and willingness to learn and we’ll help you get there!

We bill for the use of the airplane based on either the or foreflight time or Hobbs hours that the airplane is being operated and for the appointment time you have booked the instructor for that day.

The cost for flight and ground instruction is the same.

Rates for Instruction are $100/hr. There is a 1 hour minimum charge for the airplane whenever you fly. If you have a ground lesson only, you would be charged only for the instructors time. We require that the student have a credit card on file with us. If you don't show up for your lesson or cancel with less than 24 hours, we charge for 1 hour of airplane time plus 1 hour of instruction time.

You can enroll anytime as long as there is an instructor available to work with you on the days/times you are available.

If you are a U.S. Citizen you can get started right away as soon as you provide us with the required documents (Unexpired Passport or Birth Certificate, credit card authorization form). If you are not a US Citizen you will need to obtain TSA Approval prior to starting your training. This may take a couple of weeks to obtain.

You will need to get your medical prior to your first solo but not your first lesson. Your instructor will guide you where to go for the medical. The approximate cost is $135.00.

All of our students and instructors use the Sporty's Pilot Training Online Ground School and Syllabus for flight training. You will be able to purchase the app anytime from the app store. Additionally you will need to purchase a headset (we sell this), kneeboard, charts, supplements, and a flight bag, among other supplies that you will get as you progress in the course. The cost for all these materials is approximately $950.00.

The FAA requirement is 40 hours. We often see more hours are required. We budget about 70 hours of flight time for our training curriculum. In addition, the mountainous area can have challenging winds, and weather to deal with that you will not find elsewhere as much. The national average ranges from about 75 - 85 hours. We strive to get you finished in an efficient manner while providing you with a thorough flight training experience.

Our estimated cost for a Private Pilots’ License will range from $15,000.00 - $25,000.00. The total cost will depend on a number of factors, the weather, student availability for training, aptitude and ability, and preparation. We find that students who study about 4 hours for every 1 hour of flight, tend to do well. It is important to come prepared for your lessons, having reviewed your maneuvers, procedures, and checklists before the flight. You will need to spend 2-3 days a week studying for your license outside of your lessons.

We've found that on average people finish in about 12 months. Most students we work with are working adults with other responsibilities and interests. Usually students train 1-2 days per week. If you are able to train at a higher frequency you should be able to finish sooner than average. We are happy to work with you to optimize your training to help you reach your goals sooner.

Typically students train 1-2 days per week on average. We like to do 1 dedicated ground lesson per week and at least one dedicated flight lesson per week. Ideally a student would come in 3 - 4 days per week, but this is not doable for most people. Flight Lessons are typically 3 hours long. Dedicated Ground Lessons are typically 2 hours. When we fly cross-county flights (>50nm) we may need 4 hours for a lesson. It is important that we follow the syllabus and that we review the ground lessons in a timely manner without jumping ahead to much.

Weekend and weekday instruction costs the same.

Typically we do one day of ground training per week to check on your progress with the online ground school. Each flight lesson will have some ground training including pre or post flight briefings. Typically on a 2-3 hour fight lesson you will have 1-2 hours of ground training but this will vary for each lesson and the stage of training you’re on.

You can review this information on the "Our Team" page.

No. Our emphasis is on basic piloting skills and we believe in developing every new pilot's basic airmanship first before introducing glass cockpits and GPS into the equation. Most students begin their flight training in the Cessna 182 which has analog gauges. Students are encouraged to use their Ipad towards the middle of their training so they can learn chart reading skills and situational awareness before introducing a moving map into the lessons. 

No. Our emphasis is on basic piloting skills and we believe in developing every new pilot's basic airmanship first before introducing glass cockpits and GPS into the equation. Most students begin their flight training in the Cessna 182 which has analog gauges. Students are encouraged to use their Ipad towards the middle of their training so they can learn chart reading skills and situational awareness before introducing a moving map into the lessons. 

Typically you will be working with the same instructor as this is most ideal for your progress. However there may be times when your instructor is not available. When this happens, you are encouraged to use any other instructor as everyone works with the same syllabus and they can quickly look at where you are on the training and pick up where the other instructor left off. You won’t have to put your training on hold because your instructor had to travel for a couple of months.

We have not had any incidents or accidents since we started providing flight training. We use a standard operating procedure manual for our flight school which keeps everyone operating safely within established safety standards and operating limits.

Cessna 182. 

Our ground training is online through a self-paced study curriculum and is backed up by 1:1 ground training and testing. Student complete the online ground school at their own pace and review their progress through ground lesson with their instructor.

Per the FAA regulations you will need to maintain currency to carry passengers which involves at least 1 flight every 90 days with 3 takeoffs and landings. Our internal requirements are much higher and depend on the make/model of airplanes you want to fly. But typically you will need to fly at least 1 time every 60 days for most training airplanes and every 30 days for more complex airplanes. Additionally every 2 years you will need to complete a Biannual Flight Review (BFR) with an authorized instructor. You will also need to renew your medical every 2-5 years depending on class and age. Hopefully you will be flying a lot after you get your PPL and won't have to worry about these minimums. We find that pilots that fly weekly or monthly tend to stay sharp after their training which is good for safety!

Per the FAA regulations you will need to maintain currency to carry passengers which involves at least 1 flight every 90 days with 3 takeoffs and landings. Our internal requirements are much higher and depend on the make/model of airplanes you want to fly. But typically you will need to fly at least 1 time every 60 days for most training airplanes and every 30 days for more complex airplanes. Additionally every 2 years you will need to complete a Biannual Flight Review (BFR) with an authorized instructor. You will also need to renew your medical every 2-5 years depending on class and age. Hopefully you will be flying a lot after you get your PPL and won't have to worry about these minimums. We find that pilots that fly weekly or monthly tend to stay sharp after their training which is good for safety!

To convert your UK pilot's license to an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) license, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Obtain an FAA medical certificate: You must have a current FAA medical certificate before you can convert your UK pilot's license to an FAA license. You can obtain this by visiting an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

2. Meet the eligibility requirements: To be eligible for a conversion of your UK pilot's license to an FAA license, you must meet the following requirements:

- Hold a valid UK pilot's license

- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language

- Pass an FAA knowledge test (unless you hold a UK ATPL or CPL)

- Pass an FAA practical test (flight test)

3. Complete the FAA knowledge test: You will need to pass the FAA knowledge test if you hold a UK PPL or LAPL. The test will cover FAA regulations, airspace, and procedures. You can find more information about the FAA knowledge test on the FAA website.

4. Complete the FAA practical test: You will need to complete an FAA practical test, which includes both an oral and a flight test. The test will be conducted by an FAA-designated examiner, who will assess your flying skills and knowledge of FAA regulations and procedures.

5. Submit your application: Once you have completed the FAA knowledge and practical tests, you will need to submit your application to the FAA. You will need to include your UK pilot's license, medical certificate, and proof of passing the FAA tests.

6. Receive your FAA license: Once your application has been processed, you will receive your FAA license. This will allow you to fly in the US using your UK pilot's license.

It's important to note that the conversion process may take several weeks or even months, depending on the time it takes to complete the required tests and paperwork. It's recommended that you start the process well in advance of when you plan to fly in the US.

Ready to take the next step? If your goal is to become a safe and proficient Pilot, please leave us your name and email, and a short message. We will contact you shortly!