Pilot Training Programs

Learn to Fly!

Are you a business professional wanting to save time, stress, and hassle from highway or public airport travel? Are you a young person who is dreaming of a meaningful career as a private pilot? Have you always dreamed of flying yourself somewhere?

At SOTOW Aviation, we train students of all ages and backgrounds and help make these dreams come true. Our mission is to provide the highest quality flight instruction, while prioritizing their safety and satisfaction.

Your learning process may vary, but as a rule of thumb, the more often you train the less you have to re-learn as you go along.

Private Pilot Training

SOTOW Aviation specializes in one-on-one training using Cirrus SR20-G6 aircraft—the gold standard for safety and innovation in general aviation. Learn to fly with advanced avionics, modern safety features, and the same technology used in high-performance aircraft.

We develop a flight training program that fits your schedule and budget. A typical schedule for a person working towards a private pilot certificate flying at least one to two lessons per week will complete training in about 6 months.

Instrument Pilot Training

SOTOW Aviation uses the Real Sim Gear AATD Simulator to augment our Instrument Rating Program accelerating the timeline and cutting cost to achieve your rating.

Commercial Pilot Certificate

Receive your Commercial Pilot Certificate by completing the course requirements at SOTOW Aviation if you are planning on moving on to become an Airline or Corporate Flight Officer.

Authorized (Flight) Instructor

Want to learn how to teach aspiring Student Pilot Candidates? We can take you through our Flight Instructor Training Program and even hire you once completed to work for SOTOW Aviation as an FAA Authorized Instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at cfi@sotowaviation.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How long does it take to get my Private Pilot’s Certificate?

It depends on several factors: frequency of lessons, how quick of a study you are, whether you take time off from training or proceed straight through from start to finish. If you fly at least twice per week and you do your homework, you should be able to get to your Private Pilot Check Ride between 6 and 9 months. The elapsed time includes things like weather cancelations, maintenance delays, sickness, etc.

How much does it cost to get my Private Pilot’s Certificate?

Again, it depends on how long it takes you to get your certificate. The cost is a calculation of total hours of airplane rental, total hours of flight instruction and total hours of ground instruction. The Cirrus Aircraft Platform is the latest and greatest in aviation technology and safety and because of that, it takes a little longer to master at a higher hourly cost. According to the FAA, the average hours to get to Private Pilot is around 75, and we normally see a total cost of between $40K and $60K to complete the course.

When can I start?

Normally we do an initial training interview to make sure there are no concerns that might get in the way of your training, such as medical issues or motion sickness issues. We then schedule a discovery flight. This is to get you in the airplane and actually flying a bit to make sure you are going to like it. After that, we get you your books and assign you a weekly lesson time. We do our best to work around your timeline and schedule so it is very convenient for you.

What is the minimum age requirement for flight lessons at SOTOW Aviation?

The minimum age requirement is 16 years old.

Do I need any prior experience to take flight lessons?

No, you do not need any prior experience to take flight lessons at SOTOW Aviation. Our experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way.

What type of aircraft do you offer for training?

The Cirrus SR20 G6 is a modern, high-performance four-seat trainer built for today’s aspiring pilots. Featuring a 215 hp Lycoming IO-390 engine, it cruises at up to 155 knots and climbs efficiently to 17,500 ft.

Designed with safety and advanced avionics in mind, the SR20 G6 comes equipped with the Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin® flight deck (with synthetic vision, ADS-B weather/traffic, and the “Blue Level” automatic attitude button) and includes the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) for added peace of mind.

In the training environment, it delivers a refined cabin, versatile 60/40 seating for up to five, and user-friendly systems that help transition students from fundamentals to advanced flight with confidence.