A: Contrary to what some believe; accelerated flight training is not a watered-down, "drinking from the fire hose" kind of cram course. Rather, it is a highly organized, comprehensive flight training program where you, the Pilot-in-Training are taken out of your normal, day to day environment, and placed in an environment where you are totally immersed in the subject matter for the duration of your training so you can learn at your optimal pace. For most people, this interprets to about 2.5 hours of flight training per day (most of the ground instruction is an internet based, self-study program - more on that in a moment). Any more than that is is typically counter-productive, while any less is not fully engaging the pilot-in-training to the point where their leaning curve is maximized. The goal here is for you to become a safe, knowledgeable and proficient pilot in the most cost-and-time-efficient way possible without compromising safety or the quality of the training experience.

Our Training Method - At SunState Aviation we use an instructor-mentored, internet based Distance Learning program for about half of your ground school training. We ask that the entire course (approximately 25 hours of learning time) be finished prior to the student's arrival, then it is suggested that the student reviews those same ground lessons again, during the flight training. This way the pertinent information is fresh, which helps to make the flight training time more productive. Your instructor will make sure you understand the information thoroughly.

After each flight, you will have a post-flight briefing and your instructor will answer all of your questions.

Sometimes you and your instructor will work on your ground education for an entire lesson. Your instructor will pass-on specialized knowledge and help you understand complex issues thoroughly. We believe this is the best way to handle your ground education.

With our help, you will progress at your maximum learning pace and this goes way beyond just written test preparation. TOP OF PAGE

Q: How long will it take?

A: Our Accelerated Flight Training courses are designed to take a typical pilot-in-training from the very beginning to completion in the cost-and-time-efficient way possible. For example: The 21 day Private Pilot Course and the 14 day Instrument Rating Course. This means that the courses are paced to where the average person, starting from the beginning, can complete the entire syllabus in that many days - including the written exam and check-ride.

These courses are not a watered-down “Readers Digest” version of a flight training course, these are comprehensive, integrated ground and flight training syllabi which will help to ensure you are properly trained at the conclusion of your training course.

NOTE: Although we cannot guarantee that you will complete your flight training course in the prescribed amount of time, we can and will commit to providing the environment and resources (airplanes, instructors, facilities, etc.) where you can finish on-time and on-budget. Some factors which may cause the completion of your flight training course to extend longer than the prescribed number of days are as follows:

More than the fair-share of inclement weather.
Not fluent with the English language.
Not completing the online Distance Learning program prior to the start of the flight training course.
Pilot performance - Some people just take a little longer to learn new skills than others. Everyone is different and everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. We work with individuals - not groups.
Distracted attention - spending training time talking on the phone or answering emails. Stay on-task and you will get finished!

Currently our Accelerated courses include:

21 Day Private Pilot

14 Day Instrument Rating

7 Day Commercial Pilot (single engine)

5 Day multi engine add on rating

14 Day CFI initial Training Course

7 Day CFII add-on rating course

Any of these courses can be completed in less time than what is listed above, however the courses are based on the average time to completion.

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Q: How is the training supervised?

A: All of our flight instructors are experienced professionals who are very familiar with our own accelerated flight training syllabus and training procedures. All of the flight instructors are supervised by our Chief Flight Instructor. TOP OF PAGE

Q: How many students does each flight instructor have?

A: We try hard to keep the ratio at 1 accelerated pilot trainee per flight instructor at any given time, but we all know, it's not a perfect world, so sometimes, there may be an overlap between the last student and the next. That will not present a problem for you however because the instructor has sufficient time for personal attention even if he/she is working with 2 students at a time. TOP OF PAGE

Q: Will I have one instructor or many?

A: You will be assigned to one flight instructor who will mentor you and manage your flight training course from A to Z. You will have some flights with other instructors (ie: progress checks and flights on your instructor's day off) and our Course Tracking Application (CTA) database will ensure that anytime you are scheduled to fly with another flight instructor, there will be no guess-work involved in the transition. That instructor will know exactly where you are in the syllabus and what needs to be reviewed from previous lessons. TOP OF PAGE

Q: How is the training scheduled?

A: There are no set starting dates for our accelerated training courses since all of the training is conducted on a one to one basis. We schedule your starting date based on your availability and our availability. We have a limited number of slots we can fill, so the more lead time you can give us the better your chances of getting the starting date that works best for you. While you are here, your flight instructor will be in charge of scheduling your lessons while you are here and you can expect to fly two to three times a day with ground based studies between your flights. This makes for about an 8-10 hour day. TOP OF PAGE

Q: How are training records kept and by whom?

A: A flight school must by law, keep very detailed records on pilot trainees. We are answerable to the FAA, the TSA and other agencies and are subject to the laws concerning security and privacy. Many records are stored electronically and can only be accessed by authorized persons. Hard copy records are stored in filing cabinets which are locked whenever the office is closed. TOP OF PAGE

Q: Will I loose my skills just as quickly?

A: Studies have shown that an intensive accelerated training course is the best way to absorb knowledge and acquire skills. This is due in large part to a couple of factors: (1.) During the accelerated training course the student is for the most part, removed from the normal distractions and pressures of day to day life, giving the pilot-in-training the opportunity to immerse and focus exclusively on the subject matter. (2.) Accelerated flight training is designed to keep the trainee's "learning curve" maximized throughout the entire training experience. "Cramming" too much information at one time can be just as bad as not enough. Our courses are designed with flexibility in mind to match each trainee's learning strengths as well as assisting with each individual's learning challenges. It is then up to the individual pilot to go on and keep their piloting skills sharp by flying as often as practical, participating the the FAA Wings program, adding additional ratings and endorsements and staying current. TOP OF PAGE

Q: How much will it cost?

A: Many flight schools offer canned packages for a stated price. In our opinion this kind of marketing is misleading and in most cases, fail to give you an accurate quote, leaving out key cost items such as exam fees and fuel surcharges.

We know that each person is unique, and each person’s “learning curve” is therefore unique, so we don’t package our training courses into a “one size fits all.” At SunState Aviation, you will only pay for the products and services that you actually need and use - and - we will tell you up front what all you will be paying for. TOP OF PAGE

Q: Where will I stay?

A: We have contracted the services of some Kissimmee hotels which are located adjacent to our home base; Kissimmee Gateway Airport. These hotels are located within walking, jogging or bicycling distance from SunState Aviation. These hotels provide our pilots-in-training and hour builders with discounted rates when booked through us, and amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, refrigerators and microwave ovens as well as spacious rooms with either 1 king bed or 2 double beds. TOP OF PAGE

Q: Will I need to purchase Renters' Insurance?

A: Renters' Insurance, more precisely called a Non-owned Aircraft Insurance Policy highly recommended. You may click on this link to purchase the optional Renters' Insurance.

Q: Do you guarantee that I will get my certificate/rating?

A: Let’s be totally honest here. No one, regardless of what they may advertise, can guarantee you a rating or a certificate. What we do promise is that we will provide a training experience that is second to none, with new and meticulously maintained training aircraft, mature and experienced flight instructors, state-of-the-art training facilities and some of the best weather on the planet. Truly, a winning combination! TOP OF PAGE

Q: What will my training be like?

A: Your days will start early (don’t worry, we have plenty of complimentary coffee for everyone). Your first flight of the day will usually be at either 8:00 or 10:00. The length of each flight will differ, depending on which lesson you are currently on, but usually will average an hour or so of actual air time. You will have approximately 2 hours between each flight to work on your “ground lessons” as well as a short break time. On a daily basis, you will average 2 to 3 flight lessons a day with more ground work in between. It is truly an intensive course of study, kind of like an "aviation boot camp" yet in the long run, it is the most cost and time efficient way to complete your training. TOP OF PAGE

Q: What if I fail the course?

A: Although our training courses have been very successful, there is still that possibility that you will not reach your ultimate goal by the end of your time with us. There really is no such thing as completely failing the course in flight training. You may not achieve your ultimate goal in the timeframe that you had planned, but the time and training still counts. You can return and finish at a later date, or go back home and finish with a local flight instructor if you prefer. In flight training, there are many variables that could prevent you from completely finishing your course in the allotted time, such as adverse weather (no, we cannot control that…but we’re working on it), illness, your own learning capacity (everyone is different), and the list goes on, however, we are committed to providing the very best training environment possible and being flexible enough to do whatever it takes to help you achieve your goal.

Here are a few tips that will help you maximize your training experience:

Minimize distractions. Central Florida is one of the hottest vacation destinations on the planet, but we suggest if you want to visit the attractions that you schedule some extra time for yourself either before or after your training course. Trying to "do the parks" and train at the same time will almost certainly minimize the learning curve.

If possible, bring a laptop computer so you can do some additional studying in your hotel room.

Make sure you get plenty of rest between lessons and communicate with your instructor if you feel like you are getting tired. Many times we will be able to give you some additional time for R&R.

Talk to us. Again, communication is an important ingredient in your recipe for success. If you don’t understand something, if you don’t think your instructor is the best fit for you, or whatever. Just let us know and we will make whatever adjustments needed to maximize your experience. TOP OF PAGE

Q: When can I start?

A: When ever you are ready! At SunState Aviation, we work very hard to be flexible and adaptable to your specific needs. We have no set starting dates for our training courses and all of our training is done on a one to one basis. We do prefer at least 2 months notice prior to your planned arrival date in order to make all of the necessary arrangements for you, but if that much lead time is not practical for you, just let us know. We will strive to work with whatever works for you. TOP OF PAGE

Q: I don't have 21 days to commit to training. Can this be broken up into shorter segments?

A: The short answer is: Yes, we realize that not everyone can take 3 straight weeks away from work, school, etc., so we can be flexible with scheduling your training. The down side to this would be the fact that you will loose a certain amount of proficiency and knowledge depending on the length of the lay off from training, so in the big picture, this approach could increase the number of flight hours and consequently increase the overall cost of your training. TOP OF PAGE

Q: I want to come and get my Private Pilot License. Do I need to get a medical examination before I come for my training?

A: This is not an absolute prerequisite but is highly recommended just to make sure there are no medical issues that would prevent you from becoming a certificated pilot. To find an FAA medical examiner near you, just go to www.flightphysical.com , type in your zip code in the appropriate space and then you will see a list of FAA medical examiners close to you. TOP OF PAGE

Q: What if I want to convert my FAA Private Pilot License to a European JAR-FCL PPL?

A: In order to convert your new FAA Private Pilot License to the JAA equivalent, there is some additional training and testing involved as well as a requirement to obtain a JAA class II medical certificate and at least 100 hours of total flight time logged. For a more detailed overview of the requirements, please navigate to this web page: http://www.aprop.de/index.php?lang=en&main=validation

Q: Do you train pilots for a career with the airlines?

A: Our mission is to provide the highest quality pilot training possible no matter what your personal goals may be. We can train for all FAA ratings up to and including the Airline Transport License. Having said that; we are NOT the typical "airline academy" where you would expect to see classrooms full of cadets with white shirts and epaulets. What you can expect is a high quality personalized "one-on-one" approach to pilot training in a casual "family-like" atmosphere. Of course, training like this costs a little more, but at the end of the day, you will have the confidence to know that you have been trained to be a safe and proficient aviator. TOP OF PAGE

Q: I started my training with another flight school. Can I finish my training at SunState Aviation? Will I receive credit for my previous training?

A: Many of the students who come here for one of our accelerated flight training courses have received previous training somewhere else, so we are quite used to finish-up training. Here are the minimum requirements to finish your training with SunState Aviation:

Completion of the required Course Syllabus (ie: Cessna Private Pilot Training Program {Private Pilot Course}, Cessna Cleared for Approach Training Program {Instrument Rating Course}, Cessna Cleared for Hire Training Program {Commercial Pilot Course})
SunState Aviation will evaluate your flight proficiency and knowledge in all required areas of operation and aeronautical knowledge and determine the appropriate starting point in the syllabus to continue your training.

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Q: I am not a US citizen. Is there some kind of security clearance that I would need to be able to take a flight training course?

A: As a non-US citizen applying for training for an initial pilot rating (Private Pilot, Instrument Rating or Multi Engine Rating), you will need to register for a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) AFSP (Alien Flight Student Program) category III security clearance (for candidates who request training for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less). In order to facilitate registration for this security clearance the TSA has put up an AFSP web site at http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov where you can go and fill in all the required information to get your category III clearance.

After submitting your Flight Training Application to SunState Aviation, you will receive from us a student ID number which you will need to have during the TSA registration process. To start the registration process, once you receive this Student ID number, just log onto the AFSP Candidate website (www.flightschoolcandidates.gov) to submit your background information and flight training request(s). Candidates must create an AFSP account and submit a training request and the required documentation. The Candidate will then receive an email with detailed instructions on how to complete the application process. Each step must be completed before a Candidate advances to the next step. Once these items are completed, the AFSP performs a security threat assessment to determine whether the Candidate poses a threat to aviation or national security.

Students needing a category 3 clearance must create their own AFSP account, through which they submit a training request. Each Candidate may only create one account and may not share the account with other Candidates. Providers and employers cannot submit a training request for Candidates in categories 1-3. Failure to follow these account procedures will result in delay of the training request.

You will need to know the following information to fill in the blanks.

Student ID: (provided by SunState Aviation)

Course ID: PAR (Private Pilot), IRA (Instrument Rating), or MEL (Multi Engine Rating)

Course Name: Private Pilot Airplane, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot or Multi Engine Rating

Course Description: Accelerated training for the FAA Private Pilot license, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot license or Multi Engine Rating.

Aircraft type: SEL (Single Engine Land) or MEL (Multi Engine Land)

The rest of the form is pretty self explanatory. Be sure to request plenty of time in case of unexpected delays.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: STUDENTS COMING FOR MULTIPLE RATINGS WILL NEED TO SUBMIT MULTIPLE CATEGORY III REQUESTS. The TSA will require a separate request for what they consider "initial" ratings, namely; Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating and Multi Engine Rating is all considered to be initial ratings by the TSA.

The TSA will charge a fee of $130 PER REQUEST for this service. You will also be required to submit fingerprinting once you arrive here in Kissimmee prior to starting your training. The fingerprinting service is provided every Tuesday and Thursday at the Osceola County Sheriff Administration complex and you can commence training as soon as the AFSP receives your fingerprints. TOP OF PAGE

Q: What are the payment procedures for my training?

A: For payment, we require a small deposit with your Flight Training Application to reserve your training slot (there is a space on the Flight Training Application for your credit card information). Upon your arrival here you will then place an additional $2,500 on your account. As you "fly off" these funds and your account gets low (say around $600), we will let you know so you can "re-charge" your account back with another $2500 so that your training can continue uninterrupted. At the conclusion of your training you will most likely still have some funds left on your account which will be promptly refunded back to your credit card. The initial deposit will be held for an additional 20 days until we have a chance to audit your account to ensure the accuracy of all your billing, and then, assuming we find no errors in billing, that too will be refunded to your credit card on file. Of course, you will also be provided an itemized statement of your account for your own review. TOP OF PAGE

Q: What do I need to do prior to arriving for my flight training course?

A: Prior to your arrival here, we will be sending the Log-in information to you for your online Distance Learning program. We recommend you complete ALL the lessons in the main ground school application (about 25 hours of learning) and also recommend spending some time studying in the Knowledge Test Question/Answer section of the online program. This is a fantastic program and making good use of this tool will help to ensure smooth sailing during your flight training program. TOP OF PAGE

Q: What kind of documents should I bring with me?

A: The list of items that you will need to bring with you will vary depending on some factors:

Documentation of your permanent physical address (not a PO Box). This can be a utility bill, a driver's license or any official document addressed to you.
All non-resident, non-US citizens need to bring a passport and a second government issued ID with your picture on it.
All resident-aliens need to bring your passport and your resident-alien card.
All US citizens need to bring proof of US citizenship which can be an un-expired passport, original birth certificate accompanied by a valid, government issued picture ID or immigration papers.
If you have already taken your Knowledge Exam, you will need to bring your official Score Report.
Pilots who are training for an advanced rating or re-currency training must bring your pilot log-book.
Pilots and Student-Pilots who have already received their Airmen Medical Certificates will want to make sure you bring it with you.

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Q: What about Insurance?

A: All of our aircraft are fully insured for liability, bodily injury and hull damage with a deductible of $1000. That being said, there is a lot that has been written in recent years about the need for pilots of rental aircraft to carry a non-owned aircraft insurance policy (renters insurance). These policies may be purchased from a variety of sources for about $200 per year. Try Googling "non-owned aircraft liability insurance" and you will see all of the major providers of renters insurance.

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Vision: To be recognized as the world's leading provider of pilot training, services and products.

Mission: SunState Aviation is committed to providing it's customers with the highest quality in pilot training and aviation related products and services in an environment where employees are proud to work and generate superior financial returns.

Values: We value: Honesty, integrity, accountability, excellence, respect, teamwork, recognition and fun.

A word about our pricing and rates: SunState Aviation's commitment to you, our students and customers is to provide the highest quality training and aircraft rental possible, combined with the very best possible customer service at the very best prices and hourly rates possible. We do not add fuel surcharges or any other hidden charges to our rental rates (a 7% local sales tax is added to non-instructional aircraft rentals), nor do we falsely inflate our rental rates in order to offer "special cut-rate deals." Our rates are competitive and our block discounts are already as low as we can possibly go. Please do not ask us to depart from our published rates. The prices and rates published on this web-site are the effective rates at the time that you viewed them and are subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.

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More to come….