Southern Maine Aviation

Private Pilot Training

Instrument and Commercial Training

Tailwheel Training

Backcountry Experience Training

Instructors

Our Fleet

Private Pilot Training

Has the time come for you to live out your dream of learning to fly? We do this every day!

We can help you work out a feasible and effective way to earn your private pilot certificate and have a great time doing it. We can formulate a plan around your schedule so that you can work, attend school, and make flying a part of your life too. We have a diverse population of students and renters from all walks of life and we take pride in working with each individual to successfully achieve their private pilot certificate. Give the gift of flight, students can start as young as 16!

Formulating a plan around your schedule creates a feasible and effective way to earn your private pilots certificate. We take pride in working with each individual to successfully achieve their private pilots license.

✈ Multiple training options available
✈ Self-study internet ground training available
✈ Convenient Online Scheduling
✈ iPad with charts provided for each aircraft
✈ Modern, immaculate fleet of aircraft

✈ Formal Classroom Style Ground School Available
✈ On site testing center for FAA exams
✈ Syllabus structured training
✈ Pilot supplies and materials available on site

Commonly asked questions

Instrument and Commercial Training

Instrument Training

Clouds? Weather? Enhance your skills and your safety and experience level with instrument training. New England weather offers us the opportunity to get some great instrument flying experience, and it allows us to practice good judgement and saying “no way today!” We can plan a customized course of instrument flight and ground training that works for you! Our instrument instruction is challenging! And if the weather is just too awful to fly, we can keep making progress in our motion-equipped Redbird simulator.

Commercial Training

Thinking about making aviation a career or second job? Advancing your flying skills by obtaining a commercial certificate can open doors to an aviation career. We can help you make this happen! Based on your experience, we can plan a customized course of training that will work for you and have a good time doing it. Most of our instructors have airline, corporate, or military backgrounds and we will train you to fly as professionally as we can. Are you ready for a challenge?

Give us a call if you have questions!

The Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport is a great location for instrument training. The airport has a variety of instrument approaches and close to the Portland and Portsmouth airspaces. Depart to the north and talk to Portland Approach, depart to the south and talk to Boston! And if the weather is just too awful to fly then we can utilize the full motion Redbird Simulator to continue the progress in your training. Give us a call and we can answer your questions!

Backcountry Experience Training

Are you looking to expand your light aircraft experiences? In our best New England summer weather, learn how to get in and out of small grass and dirt strips near the White Mountains and along the coast of Maine. We have dozens of great charted and non-charted airports that we are able to fly into! We can bring a picnic lunch, stop for ice cream at a dairy farm, and buy lobster for dinner along the coast! The options for this four hour adventure are nearly limitless. No previous experience required but you must at least have a student pilot certificate.

Call or email to inquire!

Tailwheel Training

Some pilots really love to fly tailwheel airplanes and for them we have a Citabria. Ours was built in 2004, though the design dates back to Grandpa’s time. It is truly “stick and rudder” flying, with fantastic visibility. If you want to get your tailwheel endorsement and open the doors to a whole new world of aircraft and experiences then look no further. We’d be happy to discuss the training with you!

Give us a call or email and get started!

Instructors

Our experienced and qualified instructors are here to help you achieve the best possible pilot training experience!

Our Fleet

Commonly Asked Questions

WHAT AGE SHOULD I BE TO LEARN TO FLY?

We have had students as young as 12 and as old as 92. It is a good idea to be tall enough to be able to reach the rudder pedals. The FAA requires a pilot to be at least 16 years of age to solo and 17 years of age to take the practical test.

WHAT IS A “DISCOVERY FLIGHT”?

A Discovery Flight is your first flight lesson. It is your introduction to the airplane and the world of flight. Actual flight time is about 30 minutes, during which the student takes the controls for some basic flight maneuvers. The instructor handles the take off and landing, with the student following along on the controls. At the end of the flight there will be a debriefing to go over the flight and to plan for your next lesson. Allow about one and a half hours. The cost is $155 and includes your first logbook.

WHAT DAYS AND TIMES ARE LESSONS SCHEDULED?

We are open 7 days a week, 7 am to 5 pm. In the summer we are open until 7pm. You can arrange for a lesson any time in that block, or after hours by prior arrangement with your instructor.

WHAT DO I NEED TO START FLYING LESSONS?

We supply the airplane and headset. You’ll need to be comfortably and appropriately dressed for seasonal weather. Sunglasses are a nice accessory on sunny days, but not required.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE?

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of instruction and experience for a private pilot certificate. Most pilots require 60 or more flight hours to prepare them for their practical test. A lesson usually includes one hour of flying. We recommend 2 to 3 lessons a week, but some students pace it at one or two lessons a month.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Aircraft Rental $13,200

60 hrs @220.00/hr

Flight Instructor Time $3,000

40 hours @$80/hr

Books, test fees, misc. $1,000

Total $17,200

Note: Cost shown are estimates and are based on typical hours, not minimum requirements. Prices are subject to change.

WHEN DO I GET TO FLY BY MYSELF?

This will happen after both you and your instructor feel you are ready. The FAA requires you to have passed your flight physical, be 16 years of age, and your instructor has signed an endorsement in your logbook that you are ready. That first flight alone is referred to as your “Solo” and generally happens after 12 to 20 hours of instruction.

SHOULD I TAKE GROUND SCHOOL BEFORE I START FLYING?

There is no need for any bookwork before you take your first flight. There is some studying involved in flying, to learn the regulations and the inner workings of an airplane, but that can be done as you work on developing your flying skills. The FAA has a required written test, but it’s multiple choice and they tell you the questions and possible answers beforehand, so don’t sweat it. There are a lot of study aids, videos and classes available to help you learn the material. We can help you find one that works for your learning style.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE?

We make our aircraft available for rent to licensed pilots for anything from a quick flight along the coast to a month long trip to explore the west. There are thousands of public airports in the United States hoping you’ll stop by.

WHAT TYPE OF AIRCRAFT WILL I BE FLYING?

Most of our students start their lessons in one of our Cessna 172’s. These high wing four seat aluminum airplanes are known as “Skyhawks”. They are comfortable, predictable and very well built, making them one of the most popular – and safe – training aircraft ever built. Some pilots really love to fly tailwheel airplanes and for them we have a Citabria. Ours was built in 2004, though the design dates back to Grandpa’s time. It is truly “stick and rudder” flying, with fantastic visibility.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

We want flight training to be safe AND fun. It isn’t safe if thunderstorms are in the area or the clouds are low. It isn’t fun if it is really windy or turbulent or cold. Book your lesson when you can and if the weather is outside your comfort zone (or ours), we’ll just cancel the lesson and fly on another day.