A Message from
Our Chief Flight Instructor
Considerations for a successful Accelerated Flight Training
Experience
Accelerated Flight Training
is a program that provides an avenue to accomplish specific
aviation goals in the most cost-and-time-efficient way possible. For the
pilot-in-training, it is a highly concentrated effort
requiring time, work and determination. All of our Accelerated
Flight Training courses are meticulously designed and structured
to keep the pilot-in-training engaged at a level where their learning
curve is maximized, resulting in the highest retention rate of
knowledge, piloting skills and safety possible at the lowest
possible cost.
I offer the
following considerations to help you stay on the accelerated
program and reduce potential frustration:
-
You and your instructor
become a team. You will have a consistent eight to ten hour
day divided between flight and ground training and
self-study. Your schedule will require punctual dedication.
-
The Computer Based
Instruction (CBI) training package you purchased is a
required and integral part of your training course. We
strongly encourage you to "preview" as many of the labs as
possible prior to your arrival here (all of them if time
permits), with the understanding that once you arrive here,
you will be going back to Lab 1 again and then working
through each lab here in concert with your flight training
(Lab, Flight, Lab, Flight, etc.). You must understand
that if the "homework" is not done prior to your next
scheduled flight lesson, that flight lesson will be
cancelled and you will be charged for that flight.
| Flight maneuvers are quickly perfected when you
understand exactly what to expect before you get
into the airplane to practice the flight maneuvers.
SunState Aviation's Integrated Pilot Training
syllabus is designed to thoroughly prepare the
pilot-in-training on the ground before each flight
lesson, maximizing the effectiveness of each flight
lesson. |
-
The time to complete training
depends on several factors and is not a guarantee. Time to train
never replaces the quality of performance required (exceeds
Practical Test Standards) and you will
be kept fully appraised of your individual progress relative to
the desired completion date.
-
Most of our students seek
certification in the G1000 Advanced Avionics aircraft.
Accordingly, we have a significant fleet of late model Cessna
172 "R" and "SP" aircraft equipped with the G1000 cockpit. All
aircraft will eventually require scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance, which can possibly impact flight schedules even
though we make every effort to limit our schedules to ensure
there are ample resources available. When this kind of situation
occurs there is almost always a "plan B" we can go with to keep
things on track.
Whatever your goal, I applaud and
thank you for choosing SunState Aviation to help you achieve it. I look
forward to working with you and am determined to make your stay with us
a rewarding and memorable one. I wish you safe travel and total success.
Sincerely,
Steve Graham
SunState Aviation Flight School
Accelerated
Flight Training Course Checklists
As a pilot, you will learn to
use "checklists" as a means of keeping your flight safe and on
track. Here, we have provided a couple of check lists to help
you through your accelerated training course(s).
Accelerated Flight Training Course - Pre-Arrival Checklist
-
Choose a date (lead times
usually run at least 2 to 3 months in advance) to start
your accelerated training course and then submit your flight
training application (you can
download it from here). DO NOT make travel
arrangements until you have confirmation from SunState
Aviation that your flight training application has been
reviewed and accepted. You can fax your completed
application to us at 407-944-3596.
-
Non-US citizens are
required to obtain a TSA category III training clearance
prior to initiating flight training for "initial" FAA pilot
certificates and ratings (the TSA generally defines Private
Pilot, Instrument Rating and Multi Engine Rating as initial
ratings which require cat. III clearances). Upon official
acceptance of your flight training application you will
receive a student ID number, official course ID information
and further instructions on how to register for your TSA
cat. III clearance(s).
-
If English is your second
language, please understand that both the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) have strict regulations regarding the
level of fluency with which pilots speak, read, write and
understand the English language. SunState Aviation's policy
is that all students/pilots-in-training be fluent with the
English language in order to ensure that the training
experience is not hindered because of a language barrier. If
it is determined by SunState Aviation that training progress
is being hindered due to a language issue, then SunState
Aviation reserves the right to alter, suspend or terminate
the training course.
-
We will ship your Computer Based Instruction kit to you
right away to give you an opportunity to "preview" some or all
of the training labs on your own computer prior to your arrival
here. We strongly suggest previewing all of the labs and flight
previews prior to arriving
here to start your flight training. This will give you a definite
advantage due to enhanced recall.
-
Things to bring with you: Picture
ID, proof of US citizenship (if applicable, original birth
certificate with a raised seal or valid passport), medical certificate (if you have one), CBI kit (if
applicable), pilot logbook (if applicable), FAA knowledge test
original score sheet (if applicable), clothing appropriate to
the season (during winter months prepare for both cool and warm
weather).
Accelerated Flight
Training Course - Upon Arrival Checklist
-
If you are using a SunState
Aviation Flight School (SSAFS) partnering hotel; check-in at the
hotel, get settled in your room and notify SunState Aviation
right away if your accommodations do not meet your expectations.
-
Call SunState Aviation Flight School (7:00 am until 7:00
pm) and let us know of your arrival and your room number.
-
Plan to arrive at SunState Aviation on your first
day of training at 8:00 am unless other arrangements have been made.
-
Upon arrival to SunState Aviation on your first
day of training, we will have some additional paperwork to be completed.
We will also need to make photo copies of your picture ID as well as
your pilot medical certificate (if applicable) and pilot license (if
applicable). You will also be asked to make a payment on your account of
$2500. This will qualify you for our discounted Pre-Paid aircraft rates. As you "fly off" these funds, you
will be asked from time to time to place additional funds on account.
Sorry, we will not be able to dispatch your flights if your account
should become overdrawn. A detailed statement of your account will be
gladly provided upon request and at the conclusion of your training
course.
-
Meet your flight instructor and go
flying!
Accelerated flight training is intense. Think of it as a “boot camp” for
pilots-in-training. We have taken the time to put together some helpful suggestions to assist you in making the most of your flight training experience.
1. Florida can get very hot in the summer time. Make sure you drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
2. There is no set dress code, so feel free to dress appropriately and comfortably for current weather conditions. Some shoe types (particularly sandals)
are not be conducive to operating the rudder pedals in the aircraft. Ask your instructor if you are not sure.
3. Get plenty of rest and eat well. The combination of heat and altitude can have adverse physiological effects if you are not taking care of yourself.
4.
Even in Florida, adverse weather can cause flights to be
cancelled. We will make every attempt to have a "plan B" for
such occurrences which usually will entail some additional
ground studies or, in the case of IFR pilots-in-training,
simulator time!
5.
Make sure you are fully prepared for each flight training mission. In an accelerated training program, time is a valuable commodity, and the only way to ensure that your time is maximized is to complete all “homework assignments” before flying. Ask your instructor if you are not sure.
6.
Go over your next day’s schedule with your
flight instructor and make sure you are clear on any “homework assignments” before leaving for the evening.
7.
RELAX! You will reach “plateaus” in your training where you will begin to wonder if you will ever master that particular maneuver. You will. Just relax and enjoy the process.
8.
We are here for you. If you have any questions or concerns that you feel your instructor is not adequately addressing, please let us know sooner rather than later. It is in everyone’s best interest if these issues are resolved quickly.
Your safety is paramount. Please make sure to always use the checklist for your aircraft. Leave nothing to chance. Do a thorough preflight
and post-flight inspection and report any aircraft “squawks”
or damage immediately. Do not attempt to fly any aircraft that is not 100% safe for flight.
Click here for even more detailed information about Accelerated
Flight Training.