Q: What is "ACCELERATED FLIGHT TRAINING"?
A: Contrary to what many people believe; accelerated flight training is NOT a "drinking from the fire hose" kind of cram course. Rather, it is simply a highly organized program where you, the student are taken out of your normal day to day environment filled with all kinds of distractions and placed in an environment where you are totally immersed in the subject matter for the duration of your training course. During this time you can expect to have two flight lessons and two ground training labs a day, which makes for an 8 to 10 hour day. For the average person, this pace is where your learning curve is maximized. Any more is too much for the average person and any less is not fully engaging the student where their leaning curve is maximized. The goal here is to train you to be a SAFE and PROFICIENT pilot in the most cost and time efficient way possible without compromising safety or the quality of the training experience. TOP OF PAGE
Q: How long will it take?
A: Our Accelerated Training Courses are designed to take a typical student from the very beginning to completion in the shortest time possible. For example: The 21 day Private Pilot Course. The courses are not some watered down “Readers Digest” version of a non-accelerated course, but rather condensing all of the same materials and skill training into a shorter span of time. A typical accelerated student can expect to be a “full time” student over the entire span of the course. It is an intense immersion into the world of Flying, a sort of “Aviation Boot Camp.”
Currently our Accelerated courses include:
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. TOP OF PAGE
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 a 30+ year aviation veteran Chief Flight Instructor who holds an Airline Transport License and has thousands of hours of flight instruction given. TOP OF PAGE
Q: How many student does each flight instructor have?
A: The ratio is 1.5 accelerated students per flight instructor at any given time so practically speaking, each instructor will have either 1 or 2 accelerated students that they will be working with at any given time. While the instructor is flying with one student, the other student is studying his/her ground lab, preparing for their next flight lesson. Each student can expect to have two flights and two ground labs per day. TOP OF PAGE
Q: Will I have one instructor or many?
A: You will have one flight instructor who will be assigned to 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 Management Module (CMM) 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 twice a day with ground based studies between flights. This makes for about an 8 hour day. TOP OF PAGE
Q: How are student training records kept and by whom?
A: A flight school must by law, keep very detailed records on students. We also answer to the FAA, the TSA 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: Why do you claim to be "INSTRUMENT TRAINING SPECIALISTS"?
A: From the very beginning it has been our goal to be the very best in the industry for both accelerated flight training overall and especially IFR training. We have accomplished this goal by offering an accelerated IFR flight training course utilizing an FAA approved computer based training syllabus, a staff of experienced CFI/Is trained and supervised by a well seasoned Airline Transport Pilot with thousands of hours of IFR instruction given, training in new technically advanced training aircraft and a location that is PERFECT for this kind of training. But the real proof is in the RESULTS! An incredible 90% FIRST ATTEMPT pass rate with an overall pass rate of 98% speaks for itself! Plus, you will leave here with the confidence that you are a safe and proficient instrument rated pilot after 14 days of "real world" scenario based training. 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 student the opportunity to immerse and focus exclusively on the subject matter. (2.) Accelerated flight training is designed to keep the student's "learning curve" maximized throughout the whole 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 student'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 “package deals” on their training courses. In our opinion there are a couple of problems with this kind of marketing:
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, not one cent more.
Here on our website you will find information on our courses and the costs that are associated with each one. It is broken down into line items so you can see exactly what you are paying for and totaled up into an ESTIMATED cost at the bottom to help you plan your budget. These estimates are NOT based on the FAA required minimums but rather are based on the average time to completion for each individual accelerated flight training course but rest assured your actual costs will vary from the estimate we have provided. A good rule of thumb is to add 10% to the estimate and then be pleasantly surprised if your training ends up actually costing less than what you've budgeted. TOP OF PAGE
Q: Where will I stay?
A: We have contracted the services of some local hotel establishments 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 students of SunState Aviation Flight School 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. Current rates start at $36 per room/night for a standard room and $75 per room night for a two bedroom suite with a full kitchen (like a small apartment), taxes included (rates subject to change). TOP OF PAGE
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. Each person is different and has unique learning abilities. Some students may excel in the “book knowledge” and pass the written exam with flying colors, but struggles with his/her ability to land an airplane. Another may fly exceptionally well and yet struggle with the “book knowledge.”
What we do promise is that we will provide a training experience that is second to none, with new and meticulously maintained training aircraft, instructors and check pilots who are seasoned professionals, 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: Will I have one instructor for my training or several?
A: You will have one flight instructor who will be assigned to you to be your flight instructor/mentor throughout each individual training course, so in other words, if you wanted to stay on or return later and do another rating, you would have a different instructor for that course. You will however have some flights with different instructors during your training for example on your instructor's days off and for Progress Checks. All of our flight instructors train according to the same syllabus and all your training will be carefully documented through our computer Course Management Module, so this will be seamless no matter if you are flying with your flight instructor or another instructor. 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 instructor if you prefer. In flight training, there are many possible 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), acts of terrorism, illness, your own learning capacity (everyone’s 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. TOP OF PAGE
Here are a few tips that will help you maximize your training experience:
1. 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.
2. If possible, bring a laptop computer so you can do some additional studying (Computer Based Instruction) in your hotel room.
3. 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.
4. 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 weeks 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: I recently finished my Private Pilot training and am now planning to work toward my Instrument Rating. What advice do you have for me?
A: First of all, congratulations on completing your Private Pilot certification!!! As you move toward getting your Instrument Rating, you will first of all want to get some cross-country experience logged. The FAA requires 50 hours of cross-country time as Pilot In Command (PIC) prior to taking your Instrument Rating Practical Test. You logged some of that during your Private Pilot training and will log a few more hours during your Instrument Training course, however, you will want to log some 35 to 40 hours of additional PIC cross country time prior to starting your accelerated IFR training course. This is actually a good thing and if done correctly, can help make your IFR training experience a snap! Below here are some tips to help you make your cross-country time building as fun and as productive as possible:
1. Fly as often as possible to stay proficient and
whenever possible fly with another Private Pilot (as safety pilot) so you can
log some simulated instrument time.
2. Always plan your cross-country flights well and fly your plan. Don't just go
out and bore holes in the sky!
3. Fly to a different airport EVERY TIME in order to give yourself new
challenges and experiences.
4. File a flight plan and DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE YOUR FLIGHT PLAN upon arrival.
5. As much as possible, fly on airways and use electronic navigation (VOR/GPS/NDB).
This will help you to get used to navigating IFR style!
6. Use "flight following" whenever possible. This will help you to get used to
being "in the system" and communicating with ATC.
7. Don't let yourself get sloppy! Practice flying WITH PRECISION; holding
altitude (no more than +/- 100 feet off your planned altitude), holding airspeed
(no more than +/- 10 knots off your planned airspeed) and staying on course (no
more than +/- 10 degrees off your heading).
8. ALWAYS USE YOUR CHECKLIST for pre-flight and ALL PHASES of flight.
9. Time and fuel permitting; do two or three touch and goes before taxiing back
to the FBO.
10. Order your "Cleared For Approach" training kit early and study through as
many of the computer labs as possible prior to your arrival here.
You will definitely see the importance of all of these when you are taking your
IFR training and especially on the check-ride!
TOP OF PAGE
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 want to become a professional pilot. How important is it to have "glass cockpit" experience?
A: If your goal is to prepare yourself for a career as a professional pilot and currently you have no previous training or experience, then we have the perfect program for you! It's called our ZERO Start Career Pilot Training Program. This is an accelerated training program which can have you working and earning money as a professional pilot in as little as 18 weeks! What is unique about this program is the fact that the majority of your training will be completed in what the FAA has labeled "Technically Advanced Aircraft" (TAA) so you will receive instruction and actual experience in aircraft that are equipped with all the latest technology. This is an extremely important consideration as you think about your career. It is a fact that in today's pilot marketplace that the airlines are only considering pilot candidates who have this TAA training and experience. No other flight school anywhere offers this much exposure to "real world scenario based training in Technically Advanced Aircraft!" We will have you flying in these TAA from day 1. TOP OF PAGE
Q: Do you do finish up courses?
A: Most 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. Some times all that is needed is a long weekend or a few days to get your training course finished up, however we do want you to know that we have a responsibility to make sure that your training is really complete, so in most cases we will need to put you on our CBI syllabus in order to be sure we cover all the bases from A to Z during your time here with us. We are not going to waste your time however, and will move quickly through the tasks where you are able to demonstrate proficiency until we reach areas where it is apparent that you need more instruction and/or more practice to get up to Practical Test Standards. We just don't want there to be any unexpected and unpleasant surprises come check-ride day. TOP OF PAGE
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), CAX (Commercial Pilot)
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 deposit of $250 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 $500), 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 $250 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
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.
More to come….
About SunState Aviation Flight School | Accelerated Flight Training Courses | Non-Accelerated Flight Training Courses | Aircraft Rental | Airplanes For Sale | Learning To Fly | Our Location | Weather and Flight Planning Links | Site Map | Go Fly! | Frequently Asked Questions | References | Employment Opportunities | Contact SunState Aviation Flight School | Related Links