Mountain Flight Training

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Courses For Certificated Pilots
Learn to safely fly the Rockies!

 

 

ALL our mountain flying courses feature:

  • Instruction by ATP-rated pilots who've given 1000's of hours of flight instruction and flown for a living in the airline, cargo or corporate worlds

  • Mountain navigation and terrain avoidance procedures

  • Mountain pass and canyon flying operations

  • Takeoff and landing at airports over 8,000 ft. elevation (and IFR approaches, if you're instrument rated)  

  • Instruction on how to safely operate above 12,000 feet (18,000 feet for turbocharged aircraft)

  • Use of oxygen (if using turbocharged aircraft)

  • Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) training (including Garmin WAAS GPS or G1000 glass cockpit operations...we're G1000 experts!)

  • The latest weather briefing technology

  • Cross-country flying

  • Proper use of the autopilot

  • Safer, airline-style operational procedures

  • And a lot more!

1-3-Day Combined Garmin G1000 & Mountain Flying Courses—
New to the G1000? Why not combine G1000 operations with moutain flying training in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado and New Mexico? Visit our Garmin G1000 training courses page for details.

1-Day Introductory VFR Mountain Flying Course—
Covers the basics of mountain flying: All of the above, plus density altitude, mountain weather, and more. Features operations at challenging airports like Los Alamos, Lindreth, and Angel Fire, New Mexico. Also includes an introduction to Garmin G1000 operations if you fly our 2007 Diamond DA40 "Star"
Includes: 7 hours of instruction, including 4 hours in the aircraft.
Tuition:
$399 in your aircraft, $999 in our Diamond DA40. (Pilots not familiar with Garmin G1000 operations are encouraged to start with 2 hours in our G1000 simulator, at $89/hr.)  Additional instruction as needed at $59/hr.
Prerequisites: Private or recreational pilot license; at least 5 hours of PIC time and 5 takeoffs and landings in the previous 90 days.

3-Day Complete VFR Mountain Flying Course—
Covers everything you need to know to operate VFR safely in any mountainous terrain in the world! In this course, you'll fly to some of the toughest airports in the world, including Telluride, Aspen and Leadville, Colorado. Also includes a complete Garmin G1000 VFR checkout if you fly our 2007 Diamond DA40 "Star"
Includes: 14 hours of instruction, including 10 hours in the aircraft. Includes a FAR 91.56 (biennial) Flight Review and a certificate for landing at KLXV, the highest airport in North America. Two nights are spent away from our Santa Fe headquarters.
Tuition:
$799 in your aircraft, $2449 in our Diamond DA40. (Pilots not familiar with Garmin G1000 operations are encouraged to start with 2 hours in our G1000 simulator, at $89/hr.) Additional instruction as needed at $59/hr. $150/night instructor per-diem when overnighting away from Santa Fe.
Prerequisites: Private or recreational pilot license; at least 5 hours of PIC time and 5 takeoffs and landings in the previous 90 days.

3-Day Complete IFR Mountain Flying Course—
OUR MOST POPULAR COURSE! The original "Mountain Flying Boot Camp." An intense 3-day program especially created for instrument pilots who understand they need additional instruction before flying IFR in the mountains. Covers everything featured in our 3-Day Complete VFR Course, plus practice flying some of the toughest instrument approaches in the world, including to Leadville, Aspen, and Telluride, Colorado. We'll focus on IFR operations in a non-radar environment, including obstacle departure procedures, transitioning from VFR airports into the IFR system, GPS approaches with Garmin navigators, and important terrain avoidance procedures. When possible, we'll fly on IFR flight plans in the clouds. Also includes a complete Garmin G1000 IFR checkout if you fly our 2007 Diamond DA40 "Star"
Includes: 20 hours of instruction, including 12 hours in the aircraft and 3 in the simulator of your choice. Includes a FAR 91.56 (biennial) Flight Review, a FAR 91.57(d) Instrument Proficiency Check and a certificate for landing at KLXV, the highest airport in North America. Two nights are spent away from our Santa Fe headquarters.
Tuition: $1299 in your aircraft (and our sim), $3199 in our Diamond DA40 (and our sim). Additional instruction as needed at $59/hr. $150/night instructor per-diem when overnighting away from Santa Fe.
Prerequisites: Private pilot license with instrument rating; at least 5 hours of PIC time and 5 takeoffs and landings in the previous 90 days; ability to load an approach on a Garmin GPS navigator.
More Information:
Be sure to read our Details and FAQ pages to learn more about the SkyMachines training experience and obtain free instructional materials.

10-Day IFR Certification Course—
The original "EXTREME Instrument Training!" For VFR pilots wishing to earn their instrument ratings while simulataneously learning how to fly safely in the beautiful and challenging Rocky Mountains! Covers everything in both our 3-Day VFR and IFR Mountain Flying courses, plus everything you need to know to pass the instrument rating practical test. On the last day, you will take the Instrument Rating Practical Test with an FAA-designated pilot examiner. Special emphasis on using the Garmin G1000 system for those who fly our 2007 Diamond DA40 "Star."
Includes: 70 hours of instruction, including 35 hours in the aircraft and 15 in the simulator. Two nights are spent away from our Santa Fe headquarters.
Tuition: $4799 in your aircraft (and our sim); $11399 in our Diamond DA40 (and sim), including pilot examiner fee and use of aircraft for practical test.
Additional instruction as needed at $59/hr. $150/night instructor per-diem when overnighting away from Santa Fe.

  • Have 15+ hours of recent instrument instruction? This course is also available as a "finish-up" course at applicable hourly rates.
  • Own a Garmin-equipped aircraft with autopilot? This course is also available at your location as well! ($150/night per diem and travel/shipping expenses apply, but you save the 8.1875% sales tax.)

Prerequisites: Private pilot license; current medical certificate; Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam passed; 40 hours cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command; at least 5 hours of PIC time and 5 takeoffs and landings in the previous 90 days. Additional required preparation items are listed on the FAQ page.
More Information: Be sure to read our Details and FAQ pages to learn more about the SkyMachines training experience and obtain free instructional materials.

Special Situation Courses
Each pilot's training situation is unique. If you don't feel you fit into one of the above courses please contact us...we'll help you tailor a course that fits your needs and schedule. In addition, if you have a particular city or area you'd like to visit, we can accommodate you.

Notes: Course tuitions listed above do not include 8.1875% New Mexico sales tax, lodging and meals, or $150/night instructor per diem when overnighting away from our Santa Fe headquarters.

 

Location

All our courses originate from Santa Fe, NM, KSAF. (The full instrument rating course can also be done at your home base.) You can fly American Airlines to Santa Fe through Dallas and Los Angeles, or fly American, Frontier, Southwest, United, Delta or Continental to Albuquerque (ABQ) and take a 1-hr. shuttle ride to Santa Fe for $50. Rental cars are available at both the ABQ and SAF airports. (Special rates may be available through the Santa Fe Air Center FBO, 1-800-263-7695).

Lodging

For lodging in Santa Fe, we recommend the DoubleTree. It offers shuttles to/from the Santa Fe Airport and is located near several restaurants. (Call them at 1-505-473-4646 and request their special rate for "pilots flying into the Santa Fe Air Center." If you don't like the rate, contact us for suggestions on other nearby lodging.)

When away from KSAF, we overnight at Hampton Inn-level lodging in non-resort cities like Cortez, Montrose, Leadville, Craig, and Meeker, CO. At student's request and expense, we can also overnight at resort cities like Vail, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen. See course descriptions for typical number of nights spent away from KSAF; add $150/night per-diem for instructor when overnighting away from KSAF.

LINKS:

SkyMachines
Buy, Sell, Trade, Train

www.MountainFlying.org

Contact:
Marc C. Coan,
Chief Instructor
Mobile: +1 575 741 1205
Tel: +1 888 651 2257
Fax: +1 866 896 5551
Email: Marc@SkyMachines.com

Santa Fe Municipal Airport, NM 87507

© 2012, Marc C. Coan
"Buy, Sell, Trade, Train" and "Extreme IFR Training" are protected trademarks.
All Rights Reserved.
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