Frequently asked.

If your question isn’t here, email info@cltaviation.com or call (704) 430-4445 and we’ll add it.

Do I need a medical certificate before my first lesson?

For the discovery flight, no. Beyond that, yes — you’ll need at least a 3rd class medical from an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner, or BasicMed if you qualify. We can help you find an AME near KJQF.

How long does it take to get a Private Pilot license?

The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours. The national average is closer to 60-75. How fast you finish depends mostly on how often you fly. Two to three lessons per week is a good pace; once a week and progress slows considerably.

How much does the whole training cost?

It depends on how quickly you progress, but a rough estimate: at our $185/hour wet plus $50/hour instruction rate, with 50-60 flight hours plus ground instruction, written exam fees, and the checkride, plan for roughly $13,000-16,000 total. Some students finish for less, some take longer.

Do you fly in bad weather?

We’re a Part 61 VFR operation, so weather decisions are conservative. We’d rather cancel a lesson than push into conditions that aren’t appropriate for training. Weather cancellations happen — it’s part of learning to fly.

What's a discovery flight?

About 30 minutes on the ground talking with your instructor, then about an hour in the air with you on the controls. We’ll fly out of KJQF, maybe up over Lake Norman or another scenic area, and you’ll get a real feel for what flight training is like. $200 flat. No commitment. More on /discovery-flight.

Can I bring a friend or family member on my discovery flight?

The PA-28-140 has four seats, so usually yes — one passenger is fine. Training flights are instructor and student only.

How often should I fly?

Two to three times per week is ideal for efficient progress. Once a week is the practical minimum — anything less and you spend each lesson re-learning what you forgot from the last one.

What if I'm nervous about flying?

Almost everyone is, especially before the first lesson. The discovery flight is the best test: you’ll be at the controls, and most people find that having something to do replaces the anxiety pretty quickly. If after a discovery flight it’s not for you, that’s fine — you’ll have answered the question.

Do you offer financing?

We don’t, but we operate pay-as-you-fly. You pay for each lesson when you fly it, so there’s no big upfront commitment. Some students space their training out over many months to fit it into their budget.

Where do you operate?

We’re based at KJQF (Concord-Padgett Regional Airport) in the Charlotte metro area, about 25 minutes north of Charlotte. Our training area is the practice areas to the north and northeast of the airport, staying clear of Charlotte’s class B airspace. Cross-country flights take students to airports across the Carolinas.