Learn to Fly

Congratulations from Millbrook Aviation! You've just taken the first step toward becoming a new pilot!

Flying will open up new worlds and new possibilities. How about flying to your next business meeting? Or flying your friends to a near-by town for lunch? Or visiting family without spending hours or days in a car? You may even decide on a career as an airline or corporate pilot. You can do it!

Getting your license is easier and cheaper than you think!

Stop Dreaming and Start Flying.

Millbrook Aviation Questions and Answers:

We get asked many questions about the flight-learning process from prospective pilots. To help answer some of these, we have created this Questions and Answers page.

1. How much does it cost to learn to fly?

You can expect your total training costs of obtaining your Private Pilot's certificate to be $10,500.00 on average. Students able to take at least two 2.5 hour lessons each week and who review the lesson information prior to class usually finish a few thousand dollars lower.

Should you wish to complete the Recreational Pilot's certificate first, the total cost will be about $7,000,00 and take about four months to complete.

We do not charge a fuel or insurance surcharge. We do not require prepayment accounts for you to receive the lowest rate. We do not have any fees if you stop training. We do not charge a fee to enroll in the Jeppesen course syllabus. We do not charge a fee for you to use our online reservation or accounting system.

No hidden charges

2. How long does it take to learn to fly?

You must have at least 30 flight hours to qualify for a Recreational Pilot's certificate and at least 40 flight hours for a Private Pilot certificate. The time it takes to meet these requirements will vary according to many factors; your schedule, your abilities, weather, etc. The national average is about 65 hours to obtain a Private Certificate.

How long it takes to receive your Private Pilot Certificate will depend on your the number of lessons each week and the amount of home study you do prior to your lesson.

3. How much does the special Introductory Flight Lesson cost?

Your Introductory flight lesson is only $119 and will last about one hour.

4. How old do you have to be to learn to fly?

You can be any age to learn to fly. However, you must be at least 16 to solo (fly by yourself) and 17 to get a Private Pilot Certificate. The question should be how old can you be to learn how to fly. A good number of our students are well into their 50s and older.

5. What is a Recreational Pilot Certificate and how is it different from a Private Pilot Certificate?

The Recreational Pilot Certificate allows you to fly only for recreation and takes less time to acquire. It does have some limitations that the Private Pilot Certificate doesn't have. Flight training for the Recreational Certificate is only conducted at Sky Acres airport in Millbrook.

You'll do everything our Private Pilot students do but end your training soon after your first few solos. When time permits you can continue your training to obtain the Private Pilot Rating.

Unlike the Sport Pilot Rating, the Recreational Pilot Rating allows you to fly all single engine airplanes weighing up to 12,500 pounds.

6. Where is the training conducted?

Flight training is available at both Sky Acres airport in Millbrook and Dutchess County airport in Poughkeepsie.

7. Do I rent an airplane for flight training?

Unless you own an airplane you'll be using one of our training aircraft. The cost per hour is posted in the rate section and no additional fees apply to your aircraft rental. Our training aircraft are fully equipped with the latest in navigation and flight communication devices.

Our training fleet receives top maintenance and care. You'll enjoy flying all of the aircraft.

8. Will I fly a new aircraft?

No, our training aircraft are slightly older with new engines and avionics. Learning to fly using new airplanes seems like a great idea but nothing could be further from the truth. A new airplane is no safer than an old airplane but because it's new, will add thousands to your cost of obtaining a pilots certificate. Old cars and old airplanes have nothing in common. Airplane engines and wear items are updated and replaced on a regular basis as required by the manufacture and FAA. Your training aircraft may look a bit older but it's every bit as reliable and safe. In addition all of our training aircraft are kept in hangars which might just make them safer to fly than a new airplanes kept outside.

9. I'm already a pilot and would like either a new rating, to sharpen my skills, or learn about new equipment.

We have hundreds of hours of training experience in many makes and model of airplanes from a simple Cessna 172 to a new Baron B58 or Cessna 421 Golden Eagle or a King Air 90. New autopilot, GPS, or engine analyzer on board? Let one of our experienced flight instructors help you feel comfortable with your new investment.

Use our new Elite PI-135 to perform the approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting, tracking required under section 61.57©(1) for recent instrument experience (instrument currency)!

10. Can I finance any part of my training?

Yes, We have applications on hand and will gladly assist you in the application process. Once approved, you will be able to finance your flight training for up to five years. All approved students receive our low 8% APR which remains the same regardless of your prior credit history.

What next?

Pick up the phone and call us at (845) 790 3460 to schedule your first flight lesson.

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Copyright © 2004-2006 Pioneer Business Services LLC Last modified: 04/19/08

Copyright © 2004-2006 Pioneer Business Services LLC
Last modified: 04/19/08