Learn To Fly In Santa Fe!

In just a few short weeks, SkyMachines can train almost anyone to safely fly exciting aircraft like our 2010 "Remos GX", a high-tech, 2-seat sport plane from Germany (shown above).

To become a licensed pilot, all you need is:

• The desire to learn
• A driver's license (or pass an FAA flight physical)
• 10-15 hours a week for 3-20 weeks (to fly and study; depending on which pilot certificate you wish to earn)
• $6,000-$9,000, depending on which pilot certificate you wish to earn (financing available)

• Math, algebra, geometry or science training
• A college degree (or even high-school diploma)
• Perfect vision (eyeglasses are OK)
• Perfect physical health or conditioning

FREE Learn to Fly resources to get you started:

• General information about Learning to Fly
• Free subscription to Flight Training magazine
• Free Learn-to-Fly Kit from Sporty's Pilot Shop
• Free FAA textbooks in PDF format so you can start studying today!
  • Airplane Flying Handbook
  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

See our list of pilot courses below...

PILOT CERTIFICATE DESCRIPTIONS

Sport Pilot Certificate
(3-9 weeks)

The Sport Pilot Certificate licenses you to fly:

• Yourself and one passenger
• During daylight hours and in good weather only
• On cross-country flights to all but the largest airports in America (but not outside the US)
• At altitudes up to 12,000 feet
• In Light Sport Aircraft only (2-seat aircraft weighing less than 1320 lbs.)
• Without passing an FAA flight physical

Once you are a Sport Pilot:

• Your Pilot Certificate never expires, but you must undergo a flight review with an instructor at least once every two years
• You can rent Light Sport Aircraft at Santa Fe and some other airports nationwide
• You must complete at least three takeoffs and landings every 90 days if you want to carry a passenger
• You do not need to pass an FAA flight physical as long as you hold a valid driver's license
• You can equally share the direct costs of the flight (rental fees, fuel/oil, parking) with a passenger, but you can't be compensated for flying, nor can you fly on business trips.
• You can obtain additional training, at your convenience, towards the Private Pilot Certificate (described below), which offers additional pilot privelges

To become a Sport Pilot you will need:

• To take 25-35 flight lessons costing an average of $225 each (the more often you can fly, the fewer total lessons you will need...we strongly recommend flying at least twice per week)
• An online home study course and materials kit (for about $200) in order to prepare for flight training and study for the 60-question knowledge exam (approx. $50 exam fee)
• To pass a final flight test with an FAA-designated pilot examiner (approx. $250 exam fee)
• Once you solo, a basic pilot headset like this one for about $250 (we'll provide one until you solo) 

NEW! "Accelerated Sport Pilot" program:

• Earn your Sport Pilot License in just 3 weeks for the guaranteed low price of $5995! (Excludes tax and online home study course and materials kit; includes books, knowledge exam fee, flight test fee)
• Designed for students who can concentrate full time on flying; requires flying 8-12 2.5-hr. lessons per week for 3 weeks, plus ground self-study
• Lodging available for out-of-town students at additional cost (approx. $250/week)
• You must complete the home study course and pass the knowledge exam before you start flying
• Sorry, financing not available for accelerated program; credit cards accccepted, however

For more information about becoming a Sport Pilot, visit:
SportPilot.org

Recreational Pilot Certificate
(3-9 Weeks)

The Recreational Pilot Certificate is similar to the Sport Pilot Certificate, but it allows you to fly slightly larger, more common aircraft. It licenses you to fly:

• Yourself and one passenger
• During daylight hours and good weather only
• After obtaining additional training, on cross-country trips to most airports in America (but not outside the US)
• At altitudes of 12,000 feet and below
• A common, simple, 2-4-seat aircraft having an engine with 180 horsepower or less

Once you are a Recreational Pilot:

• Your Pilot Certificate never expires, but you must undergo a flight review with an instructor at least once every two years.
• If you don't fly at all in 180 days, you must fly with an instructor before flying again
• You must complete at least three takeoffs and landings every 90 days if you want to carry a passenger
• You can rent common 2-4-seat aircraft at Santa Fe and hundreds of other airports nationwide
• You are restricted to operating at airports within 57.5 mi. from your home airport until you receive additional training from an instructor
• You must pass an FAA flight physical given by a local FAA-approved physician every 2 or 3 years, depending on your age
• You can equally share the direct costs of the flight (rental fees, fuel/oil, parking) with a passenger, but you can't be compensated for flying, nor can you fly on business trips
• You can obtain additional training, at your convenience, towards the Private Pilot Certificate (described below), which offers additional pilot privelges

To become a Recreational Pilot you will need:

• To take 25-35 flight lessons costing an average of $160 each (the more often you can fly, the fewer total lessons you will need...we strongly recommend flying at least twice per week)
• To take an additional 2-3 lessons if you wish to fly beyond 57.5 mi. from your home airport
• An online home study course and materials kit (for about $400) in order to study for the 60-question knowledge exam (approx. $50 exam fee)
• Before you can fly alone ("solo"), to pass an FAA flight physical given by a local FAA-approved physician (approx. $75 exam fee)
• To pass a final flight test with an FAA-designated pilot examiner (approx. $250 exam fee)
• Once you solo, a basic pilot headset like this one for about $250 (we'll loan you one until you solo)

NEW! "Accelerated Recreational Pilot" program:

• Earn your Recreational Pilot License in just 3 weeks for the guaranteed low price of $5995! (Excludes tax, medical exam fee, and online home study course and materials kit; includes books, knowledge exam fee, flight test fee)
• Designed for students who can concentrate full time on flying; requires flying 8-12 2.5-hr. lessons per week for 3 weeks, plus ground self-study
• You must complete the online study course and pass the knowledge exam before you start flying
• Lodging available for out-of-town students at additional cost (approx. $250/week)
• Sorry, financing not available for accelerated program; credit cards accccepted, however

Private Pilot Certificate
(12-20 Weeks)

The Private Pilot Certificate licenses you to fly:

• Any single-engine aircraft (and even multi-engine aircraft after receiving additional training)
• Yourself and as many passengers as there are seats in the aircraft
• During daylight and night hours
• In poor weather and above 18,000 feet (after obtaining additional training and earning the Instrument Rating)
• On cross-country trips to practically any airport in the world (US private pilots often fly to Mexico and Canada, for example)

Once you are a Private Pilot:

• Your Pilot Certificate never expires, but you must undergo a flight review with an instructor at least once every two years.
• You must complete at least three takeoffs and landings every 90 days if you want to carry passengers
• You can rent suitable aircraft at Santa Fe and hundreds of other airports worldwide
• You must pass an FAA flight physical given by a local FAA-approved physician every 2 or 3 years, depending on your age
• You can equally share the direct costs of the flight (rental fees, fuel/oil, parking) with your passengers, but you can't be paid for flying
• You can fly "in furtherance of a business" (meaning, take a plane on business trips)
• You can obtain additional training, at your convenience, towards the Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Certificate (described below), which offer additional pilot privelges

To become a Private Pilot you will need:

• To take 40-50 flight lessons costing an average of $160 each (the more often you can fly, the fewer total lessons you will need...we strongly recommend flying at least twice per week)
• An online home study course and materials kit (for about $350) in order to study for the 60-question knowledge exam (approx. $50 exam fee)
• Before you can fly alone ("solo"), to pass an FAA flight physical given by a local FAA-approved physician (approx. $75 exam fee)
• To pass a final flight test with an FAA-designated pilot examiner (approx. $250 exam fee)
• A basic pilot headset like this one for about $250

Instrument Rating
(12-20 Weeks)

The Instrument Rating licenses a Private Pilot to fly in the clouds and in other periods of low flight or surface visibility. To obtain the Instrument Rating, you will need:

• To hold a Private Pilot Certificate
• To take 40-50 flight lessons in a 4-seat airplane having more sophisticated instruments and radios than the Remos GX Light Sport Aircraft we use use for Sport, Recreational and Private Pilot training. Each lesson costs an average of $220 (the more often you can fly, the fewer total lessons you will need...we strongly recommend flying at least twice per week)
• An online home study course (for about $265) in order to study for the 60-question knowledge exam (approx. $50 exam fee)
• To pass a final flight test with an FAA-designated pilot examiner (approx. $250 exam fee)

Commercial Pilot Certificate
(2-3 Weeks)

The Commercial Pilot Certificate licenses you to be paid to be paid to fly single-engine aircraft. Crop dusters, flight instructors, banner tow pilots and aerial tour pilots are examples of pilots holding the Commercial Certificate. Prerequisites to earning this certificate include completion of the Private Pilot Certificate and Instrument Rating and at least 250 hours of pilot experience. Contact us for details.