REVISION June 7, 2024

Flight Club 502 Training 2.0 Launch

Welcome to Flight Club 502 Training 2.0 launch.  We will be tracking members and modifying this program as we move forward to improve training for our members.  Our new and enhanced training program provides an immersive and comprehensive aviation experience for our members. Here’s what the program includes:

Step 1:  Young Eagle Flight 

New youth members will be scheduled for their first flight as a Young Eagle from an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Flight Leader. Once you have taken your flight you will receive a free student membership to the EAA and you will receive the online Sporty’s complete Private Pilot Ground School (valued $300) for youth ages 8-17 years old.  To schedule your young eagle flight:  https://flightclub502.breezechms.com/form/bdb59d

If you are 18 -21 years of age you can schedule an Eagles Flight and can purchase Sporty’s Online Ground School: (complimentary online ground program for youth under 17 years old, if you are over 17 you have to purchase this program) https://www.sportys.com/learn-to-fly-course-private-pilot-test-prep-online-app-and-tv.html

Step 2:  Ground and Simulator Training

Each member that is interested in learning to fly will be paired with an Aviation Ground Instructor (AGI) and a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). 

• Aviation Ground School: Members will log 10 hours of ground school with an experienced AGI, covering lessons through solo flight from Sporty’s ground school syllabus. The cost for the ground instructor is $30 per hour. 
• Flight Simulator Training: Members also log 10 hours of training in our FAA-approved flight training device (Redbird Flight Simulator). This hands-on experience prepares them for real-world flight scenarios. The use of the simulator is FREE (valued at $70 per hour), and members will pay the aviation ground instructor $30 per hour.  If working with a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) the cost per hour is $40.

After having completed the ground and simulator training the youth member should be familiar with the preflight process, checking the weather, radio operations, use of checklists, taxi procedures, normal take off and landing procedures, fundamentals of flight, steep turns, stall series, and emergency procedures. They will also have completed the ground lessons and have a basic understanding of aerodynamics, aircraft systems, aviation weather and physiology.

Step 3:  Transition to Diamond 20 Aircraft

After completing the ground and simulator training the CFI takes over training to teach the differences between the Redbird Flight Simulator and the Diamond 20 and, following the Sporty’s syllabus, gets the student into an airplane. Please note that flights may be canceled with little notice for maintenance issues with the plane and/or weather. Flight Club 502 intends to uphold conservative flight rules for flight to support our Flight Safety Goals.  As a rule of thumb (across the country), one out of every three lessons might be canceled for weather, maintenance or because member or instructor doesn’t feel well.  For members who do not cancel lessons and do not show up for their lesson they need to pay the instructor for their scheduled time ($40 per hour). 

The CFI will prepare the youth member for soloing in the aircraft and, ultimately, the checkride..

• Review and Practice: The CFI reviews everything learned in the simulator in the air, focusing on mastering take-offs and landings. 
• First Solo Flight: Once proficient, members will complete their first solo flight, consisting of three take-offs and landings.
• Supervised Solo Flights: Following the initial solo, members complete three supervised solo flights before advancing to 
• Written Exam:   It is required that youth members should take the FAA private pilot written exam after their first solo flight. The cost for the exam is $175. It is administered by Louisville Aviation.  The Private Pilot written exam is required in order to obtain the Private pilot license and a score of 70% is required to pass. 

Step 4. In this phase, members delve deeper into advanced aviation skills:

Cross Country Planning. members learn to plan cross-country flights using paper and electronic charts, navigate and communicate with Air Traffic Control.

Night Flying: Training includes understanding night vision. Members practice night flying in the simulator and conduct a simulated cross country flight from Louisville to Columbus, IN, identifying checkpoints, handling communications, flying by flight instruments and lost procedures.

DUAL/SOLO Cross Country Flights: Members then train with their instructor for local night flights (10 take-offs and landings), night cross-country flights, and day cross-country flights.  Cross County flights consist of traveling from Bowman Field to an airport 50nm away (Lexington, Kentucky, Columbus, Indiana, Bowling Green, KY, etc.).  These flights generally require a 3-hour time slot. Successful completion of cross country flights with the CFI leads to solo cross-country flights. The long solo cross country must cover at least 150 nautical miles.

Step 4:  Check ride 

The final phase prepares members for the check ride.

• Review with AGI: Members review the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for the oral and flight portions of the check ride, using the flight simulator to practice. 
• CFI Review and Prep: Once proficient, members return to their CFI for further preparation, including a practice check ride and oral exam.

Estimated Costs:  For Planning purposes only and to give members an idea of cost associated.

There are two cost estimates below to give members and parents baseline information on the expense. The first is based on achieving a private pilot license in accordance with minimum flight time requirements, which is VERY rare but can be achieved using a simulator,). The second is using the US Average flight hours for a license as provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. It is important to note that these fees are collected as the time is used and not as an estimate in advance of instruction.

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time (10 hours solo and 20 hours with an instructor);  the national average is closer to 75 hours. We plan to use the simulator to help members reach proficiency, which reduces more costly training hours in a plane. 

Best Case Scenario (achieve license at minimum 40 hour requirement; no optional gear needed): 

• Ground and Simulator Training  (20 hrs @ $30/hour)                                  $  600
• Dual CFI in-plane Instruction to Solo ( minimum 30 hrs @ $150/hour)       $4500
• Supervised Solo Hours (minimum 10 hrs @ $150/hour)                             $1100
• Other Costs
• Medical Exam                                                                                       $  150
• FAA Written Exam                                                                                 $  175
• Checkride                                                                                              $1000
• Books/Supplies                                                                                     $  400
• Misc. (additional ground training 15 hrs@$30/hr)                                  $  450

   TOTAL “Best Case 40 hour” Scenario Cost                                                    $8375

US Average* Scenario (achieve license at 75 hours and include basic, but optional, gear): 

* US Average is as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration as of 5/31/2024.

• Best Case Base                                                                                            $8375
• Additional Dual AGI/CFI (35 hrs @ $150/hour)                                            $5250
• 
  OPTIONAL “Other Cost”:  
  • Mini Ipad w/ case                                                                             $ 550
  • Flight Tracker Software (annual fee for pilots)                                  $ 150

TOTAL “US Average 75 hour” Scenario Cost                                                 $14325

The national average cost to obtain a pilot’s license at a Flight School is approximately $20,000. By using our simulator and structured training program, we hope to significantly reduce this cost for our members.

Members also have access to participating in the Pathways to Progress Scholarship Program, which allows them to volunteer helping manage the clubhouse, wash planes, give tours, teach younger kids lessons, and participate in many different programs to earn credit towards flight time.