The National Average: 85+ flight hours to get a Private Pilot’s License. Instrument Rating, 55 hrs beyond having built 50 hrs xC PIC time.
My Standard: We target finish lines closer to the FAA minimum of 40 hours for Private FAR § 61.109(a), and 15 hours for Instrument dual FAR § 61.65(d) –see my IR Oriented Time-building combined syllabus IR program.
I don’t rush your calendar; I maximize your cockpit efficiency. Here is how we do it.
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The Airplane is a Lousy Classroom
Trying to learn a complex maneuver for the first time in a noisy, vibrating cockpit—while paying for fuel and aircraft rental—is a recipe for frustration.
That is why a simulator isn’t an optional afterthought in my syllabus. It is a requirement from Day One. We use a strict ground-to-simulator-to-aircraft sequence. We do not start the engine until we’re fully coordinated on the ground.
By “coordinated”, I mean far more than just stick-and-rudder muscle memory. Together, we will use precise maneuver scripts to eliminate common errors, build sharp situational awareness, and seize every opportunity to apply and correlate the ground knowledge in a controlled environment before hitting the starter switch.
Three Reasons We Start in the Sim:
1.- The sim has a PAUSE btn: We can freeze the flight right when a mistake happens, brief it instantly while it’s fresh, and retry. No scribbling notes to figure out on the ground an hour later.
2.- Financial & Environmental Efficiency: Sim time is a fraction of the cost of flight time. We make our mistakes, build our confidence, and burn zero fossil fuels before we ever touch the real aircraft.
3.- Total Safety: We safely introduce challenging scenarios and emergency procedures in a controlled environment so you are completely prepared for the real thing.
A Long-Term Strategy (Zero to Commercial)
My syllabus doesn’t just look at your next check-ride; it looks at your path to Commercial Pilot.
While the FAA only requires a fraction of simulator time for the PPL, my students strategically build up to 50 hours of motion sim time; precisely when those hours are most helpful : 25 for a Private Pilot License, and 25 for an Instrument Flight Rating. These hours carry forward and credit toward your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) requirements FAR § 61.129(i)(1-i).
Trying to learn a complex maneuver for the first time in a noisy, vibrating cockpit—while paying for fuel and aircraft rental—is a recipe for frustration.
That is why a simulator isn’t an optional afterthought in my syllabus. It is a requirement from Day One. We use a strict ground-to-simulator-to-aircraft sequence. We do not start the engine until we’re fully coordinated on the ground.
By “coordinated”, I mean far more than just stick-and-rudder muscle memory. Together, we will use precise maneuver scripts to eliminate common errors, build sharp situational awareness, and seize every opportunity to apply and correlate the ground knowledge in a controlled environment before hitting the starter switch.
Three Reasons We Start in the Sim:
1.- The sim has a PAUSE btn: We can freeze the flight right when a mistake happens, brief it instantly while it’s fresh, and retry. No scribbling notes to figure out on the ground an hour later.
2.- Financial & Environmental Efficiency: Sim time is a fraction of the cost of flight time. We make our mistakes, build our confidence, and burn zero fossil fuels before we ever touch the real aircraft.
3.- Total Safety: We safely introduce challenging scenarios and emergency procedures in a controlled environment so you are completely prepared for the real thing.
A Long-Term Strategy (Zero to Commercial)
My syllabus doesn’t just look at your next check-ride; it looks at your path to Commercial Pilot.
While the FAA only requires a fraction of simulator time for the PPL, my students strategically build up to 50 hours of motion sim time; precisely when those hours are most helpful : 25 for a Private Pilot License, and 25 for an Instrument Flight Rating. These hours carry forward and credit toward your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) requirements FAR § 61.129(i)(1-i).
The Result
You show up to the aircraft ready, confident, and ahead of the airplane. You enjoy your training, save thousands of dollars, and arrive at your check-ride fully prepared to pass on the first attempt.
You show up to the aircraft ready, confident, and ahead of the airplane. You enjoy your training, save thousands of dollars, and arrive at your check-ride fully prepared to pass on the first attempt.
Simulator Logistics & Rates
To give you the highest quality training at the lowest possible cost, this is the recommended way:
Equipment: Redbird FMX Full-Motion Simulator.
Location: Cable Airport (KCCB).
Travel Plan: Keep commuting short by logging no less than 3 hrs per visit.
Ideally, 2 sessions of 2.5 hrs in one visit.
Our opportunity: By buying 25-hour blocks, we secure a highly discounted rate of $20 / hr.
Maximize your budget, maximize your experience, and build your foundation efficiently from day one.
Equipment: Redbird FMX Full-Motion Simulator.
Location: Cable Airport (KCCB).
Travel Plan: Keep commuting short by logging no less than 3 hrs per visit.
Ideally, 2 sessions of 2.5 hrs in one visit.
Our opportunity: By buying 25-hour blocks, we secure a highly discounted rate of $20 / hr.
Maximize your budget, maximize your experience, and build your foundation efficiently from day one.