Aviation Courses

Private Pilot Certification Course for Airplane Single-Engine Land.

This is our entry-level pilot program. A private pilot rating allows you to fly under visual flight rules (VFR). Under VFR, the weather must be sufficient to allow the pilot to visually navigate the aircraft and to visually maintain separation from obstacles and other aircraft. Your training will include flight instruction and ground instruction in preparation for taking the private pilot FAA knowledge exam and private pilot FAA practical test.
(Please note that following costs are an ESTIMATE only based on the FAA minimum hours required for that particular certification, rating or endorsement. Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)

Private Pilot Course (FAA minimum required flight hours - Part 61)

• Aircraft Rental: Cessna 172SP 40 hours @ $126/hour $5,040
• Instructor Dual Flight Training: 30 hours @ $43/hour $1,290
• Ground Instruction: 30 hours @ $43/hour $1,290
• Journeys Private Pilot Kit $295
• FAA Medical Exam $100
• Aviation Headset $250
• FAA Written Test Fee $100
• FAA Private Pilot Practical Test Fee $400

Instrument Training

An instrument rating is an advanced rating that certifies that you are qualified to operate an aircraft when the weather is insufficient to permit flying under VFR conditions. Under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), you will learn to navigate and control an airplane using instruments only. An instrument rating improves your flying skills and allows you greater flexibility. A pilot who is "instrument qualified" is more prepared if and when weather conditions deteriorate. The instrument pilot will be able to safely and legally fly through conditions of low cloud cover and low visibility.

To obtain this rating, you must have a total of 125 hours of pilot experience and 40 hours of instrument instruction. Up to 20 hours may be accomplished in our Elite RC-1 simulator (which will save you money). The required training for an instrument rating will prepare you for taking the instrument rating FAA knowledge exam and instrument rating FAA practical test.

Instrument Rating Course (FAA minimum required flight hours - Part 61)

• Aircraft Rental: Cessna 172SP 30 hours @ $126/hour $3,780
• 40 hours of Dual Instruction @ $46 $1,840
• 25 hours of Ground Instruction @ $46/hour $1,150
• 10 hours of simulator time @ $50/hour $500
• FAA Written Test Fee $100
• FAA Instrument Rating Practical Test Fee $400
• Course materials and text books $150

Total Estimated Cost of Instrument Rating $7,920
(Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)

Commercial Pilot Training

Journeys Aviation™ offers training for commercial pilots. Commercial pilots are those that can fly for compensation or hire. Normally, holding a commercial certificate will lower a pilot's insurance premium. To exercise the full privileges of a commercial pilot, you must have an instrument rating, be at least 18 years old, hold a Class II medical certificate, and:

Under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, have a minimum of 250 hours of flying time, including 20 hours of training with an instructor, 10 hours of solo flight time, and several cross-country and night flights.

The commercial pilot candidate must also take the commercial pilot FAA knowledge exam and commercial pilot FAA practical test.

Commercial Pilot Course (FAA minimum required flight hours - Part 61)

• 20 hours of Aircraft Rental: Piper Arrow III @ $132.50/hour $2,650
• 20 hours of Dual Flight Instruction @ $46/hour $920
• 10 hours of Ground Instruction @ $46/hour $460
• Course materials and text books $150
• FAA Written Test Fee $100
• FAA Commercial Pilot Practical Test $400

Total Estimated Cost of Commercial Pilot Training $4,680
(Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)

Certificated Flight Instructor Training

Journeys Aviation™ offers Flight Instructor Certification courses. To give instruction in any aircraft, you must be a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI). To obtain this certification, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a commercial or airline transport certificate with an instrument rating, and log at least 15 hours as pilot in command in the category and class of aircraft of the particular rating sought.

The flight instructor candidate must also take the instructor FAA knowledge exam and instructor pilot FAA practical test.

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Training (minimum required flight hours)

• 15 hours Aircraft Rental: Piper Arrow III @ $132.5/hour $1,987
• 15 hours of Flight Instruction @ $46/hour $690
• 20 hours of Ground Instruction @ $46/hour $920
• Course materials and text books $150
• FAA Written Test Fee $100
• FAA CFI Practical Test $500

Total Estimated Cost of CFI Training $4,348
(Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)

Multi-Engine Training

The multiengine rating allows a pilot to fly aircraft with two or more engines. If you aspire to work for an airline, a corporation, or a charter company, you will need a multiengine rating. To earn this rating, one must receive instruction from an appropriately certificated instructor. There is no minimum flight experience requirement or FAA knowledge exam, but there is a practical test requirement (to FAA Practical Test Standards). One must hold either a private or commericial certificate to obtain this rating

Multi-Engine Training

• 15 hours Dual Flight Training Piper Seminole @ $227/hour $3,405
• 5 hours of Ground Instruction @ $48/hour $240
• Course materials and text books $125
• FAA Multi-Engine Practical Test $400

Total Estimated Cost of Multi-Engine Training $4,170
(Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)

Complex Endorsement and Aircraft Checkout

A complex endorsement authorizes a pilot to fly an aircraft with retractable landing gear, flaps and with a controllable pitch propeller. To receive a complex endorsement, a pilot may take the appropriate flight and ground instruction lessons with a Journeys Aviation™ Flight Instructor and receive a one-time endorsement in his or her logbook certifying the successful completion of training. There is no minimum flight experience requirement, FAA knowledge examination, or FAA practical test requirement. You may hold either a private or commercial certificate to receive this endorsement. We currently offer complex training in a Piper Arrow III or a Cessna 172RG.

Complex Endorsement Training

• 10 hours Aircraft Rental: Piper Arrow III @ $132.50/hour $1,325
• 5 hours of Ground Instruction @ $46/hour $230
• Course materials and text books $100

Total Estimated Cost $1,675
(Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)

Mountain Training Course

The Mountain Training Course is designed to prepare our members for the challenges of mountain flying. This course is taught over a minimum of two days and serves as an introductory course into mountain flying techniques. Mountain weather, knowledge of up and down drafts, use of oxygen equipment, aircraft and pilot performance at high altitudes, route planning, and survival equipment and techniques are some ground instruction areas that will be covered in this course. The flight portion of the course will cover high altitude takeoffs and landings including terrain and obstruction clearance, ridge flying including ridge crossing and emergency planning, canyon flying, mountain navigation, and emergency procedures. In order to complete the course, the student must also complete at least two of the following flights accompanied by an instructor:

• Flight 1 - Principals of mountain flying behaviors: updraft and downdraft identification and application, emergency landing sight identification and strategies, and ridge crossing management, operations, and tactics. Time: Approximately 2 hours.
• Flight 2 - Cross Country Mountain Flight: Route from Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU) - Kremmling (K20V) - Glenwood Springs (KGWS) - Leadville (KLXV) - Buena Vista (K7V1) - Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU) via Badger Mountain and Cheesman Reservoir. Emphasis given to flight planning, pass management including wind currents, up and down drafts, emergency planning and appropriate actions when indicated. Additional emphasis is given to weight and balance and aircraft performance during airport operations. Time: Approximately 5.0 hours.

Mountain Training Course

• 7 hours Aircraft Rental: Diamond DA-40 @ $154/hour $1,078
• 7 hours Dual Flight Instruction @ $48/hour $336
• 5 hours of Ground Training @ $48/hour $240
• Course materials and text books $100

Total Estimated Cost $1,754
(Costs may vary depending on individual needs, type of aircraft flown and actual number of flight hours.)