American Air Academy
Utah’s Premier Flight Training Center.
Salt Lake International Airport
176 North 2200 West, Suite 250
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
801-537-1537
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American Air Academy
American Air Academy
AMERICAN AIR ACADEMY
Where You Get Your Dreams Off The Ground
American Air Academy provides flight training in all courses from Private Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot, including Certified Flight Instructor.
We not only teach students the minimum requirements for a pilot certificate or rating, we are careful to insure that we turn out safe, knowledgeable, and confident pilots. Our demonstrated first-time pass rate is a clear example of our dedication to quality flight training.
The current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require a minimum of 40 hours of flight time including 20 hours of dual instruction, 10 hours of solo flight, and 10 hours of either dual instruction or solo flight. American Air students average around 50 hours for completion, which is significantly less than the national average of 70 hours.
We believe our high standards and professional approach to flight training are characteristics that set us apart from other schools. Our training program is structured toward you and your availability. Although there is no specific time limit for completion, flying 2-3 times per week (usually 2-hour blocks) is the best. Program completion can be accomplished within 3-5 months.
We have the equipment, the personnel, and the dedication required by the discriminating flight student. We stand ready to provide you, the student, with the best flight training available in Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I begin flight training at American Air Academy?
American Air Academy is Salt Lake City’s oldest flight school providing quality instruction for over 15 years. We are located at a tower-controlled airport where students become experts with radio communications early on in their flying. American Air has a large variety of aircraft, and our prices are generally lower than our competitors. Lastly, American Air has dedicated personnel who are ready to assist in any way they can.
How soon can I obtain my private pilot certification?
That depends on how often you fly and study each week. Typically, if a student schedules 2-3 lessons each week, training can be completed in 3-5 months.
How many lessons should I schedule each week?
Flying 2-3 times per week will increase your mental and skill retention. This will allow to finish your training sooner and cheaper. Most students find it convenient to schedule 5-6 lessons in advance which will keep your training more efficient.
How much homework is there?
You will want to study about 1 hour for every hour you fly. If you fly 2-3 times per week resulting in 3-5 hours of flight time, plan on spending 3-5 hours per week studying.
Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
What happens during bad weather?
During days with low ceilings, low visibility, or thunderstorms, instructors will notify their students if the flight portion of the lesson is canceled. The private pilot certificate requires ground instruction, which should be accomplished on days when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
After obtaining my private pilot certificate, can I rent an airplane on my own?
Yes, after earning your private pilot certificate, you can rent the airplane you trained in without additional instruction.
What if I want to rent an airplane other than what I trained in?
Transitioning to bigger and faster airplanes is easy. Schedule a "check-out" with an instructor, which normally takes 1-2 hours of flight time. Although larger airplanes are more expensive, they are usually the same cost per mile because you are flying faster.
If I can’t make it in for a scheduled lesson, what do I do?
When a change in your schedule prohibits you from keeping an appointment for a lesson, please cancel at least 24 hours in advance to allow your instructor time to schedule another student.
PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE
Eligibility Requirements:
Flight Requirements:
¨ 3 hours of cross country;
Program Cost:
Cessna 152 Rental- 40 hours @ $65.00/hour $2600.00
Instruction time- 35 hours @ $40.00/hour $1400.00
Ground school (optional) $300.00
Private Pilot Kit $250.00
FAA Written Exam and Flight Test (average) $380.00
Approximate Total Cost* $4930.00
*All hours above are the FAA minimums and may vary individually.
INSTRUMENT RATING
Eligibility Requirements:
Flight Requirements:
¨ At least 10 hours must be in airplanes
¨ At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized flight instructor;
¨ One cross-country flight performed under IFR consisting of:
250 nm, and three different instrument approaches at each airport.
Program Cost:
Piper Warrior Rental- 40 hours @ $90.00/hour $3600.00
Instruction time- 45 hours @ $40.00/hour $1800.00
Ground school (optional) $300.00
Private Pilot Kit $250.00
FAA Written Exam and Flight Test (average) $380.00
Approximate Total Cost* $6330.00
*All hours above are the FAA minimums and may vary individually.
COMMERCIAL PILOT
What is it and Why Is It Important?
The Commercial Pilot certificate is the certificate that is required to start your career in aviation. Whether your dream is to be an airline pilot, a commuter pilot, a corporate pilot, a government pilot, a traffic reporter, of a flight instructor this is the required level of training for earning a living as a pilot.
What Do I Need To Get Going?
The enrollment requirements include being able to read, speak, and understand the English language, passing a medical examination, and being 18 years of age on the day you graduate. If you do not already have a Private Pilot certificate, you will complete those requirements as a part of this course. You will also need your instrument rating, but again those requirements are part of the Commercial Pilot course.
What Will It Take To Graduate?
You will graduate with approximately 250 hours of flight time, with the later hours in a progressively more complex airplane. Classroom time is broken into three parts; 35 hours for Private Pilot topics, 35 hours for Instrument Rating subjects, and 30 hours for Commercial Pilot training.
You can complete this course as quickly as you want, but most people take somewhere between 9 and 15 months. Graduation consists of passing a written test in each area with a score of 70% or better and successfully completing an oral examination and flight test for each area.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI)
What’s The Benefit of Becoming A Flight Instructor?
Flying takes on a whole new perspective as a flight instructor. You move from the left seat to the right but more importantly you have the opportunity to help others achieve their dreams of flight. Acquired after your Commercial Certificate, it is used by many as a stepping stone to their first job with the airlines.
What Does the Course Consist Of?
In our basic flight instructor course you gain the experience, skills, and aeronautical knowledge necessary to teach others. You will practice teaching on the ground and in the air. These skills will then become the foundation for acquiring your Instrument and Multi-Engine Flight Instructor Ratings.
What Do I Need To Get Going?
The only enrollment requirement is a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument rating (or an ATP).
What Will It Take To Graduate?
You can expect to spend approximately 15-30 hours flying in both simple and complex airplanes of your choice and about the same in classroom work. You can normally complete this in about four weeks. Graduation consists of passing two written tests with of score of 70% or better and successfully completing an oral examination and flight test with a FAA safety inspector.
AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (ATP)
Why Pursue An ATP Certificate?
The Airline Transport Pilot certificate is the culmination of your many months of training and experience. This certificate is required to be a Captain for the airlines and is considered by most pilots to be the Phd. of flying. It is a magnificent day when you upgrade your Commercial Pilot certificate to an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
What Do I Need To Get Started?
The enrollment requirements are specified by FAA regulations, but generally 1,500 hours total flight time, a Commercial Pilot certificate with an Instrument Rating, and a current first class medical certificate are necessary.
What Will It Take To Graduate?
You can expect to spend approximately 5-20 hours flying in a multi-engine airplane of your choice and about the same in classroom work. You can normally complete this in about one to three weeks. Graduation consists of passing a written test with a score of 70% or better and successfully completing an oral examination and flight test with a FAA designated examiner.
American Air Academy
Rental Fleet
Aircraft & Ground School
Aircraft we currenty have available for training and renting: All our ground schools courses listed in our program guide are taught in a classroom setting or on a one-on-one instruction basis. Please reference our website for current aircraft rental, training, ground school, and instructor costs. Feel free
to contact one of our Certified Flight Instructors if you have any questions.
Cessna 152
Cessna 172
Piper Warrior II
Archer II
Arrow IV
ATC-810 Simulator (Instrument Training & Interview Prep)
Prices subject to change without notice. Effective 02/01/2006