HOW IT WORKS:

1. 12 7 hour lessons and YOU EARN a Checkride sign off.
2. 40 hours instrument flight logged; of which at minimum 3 will be in IMC.
3. 40 hours ground instruction logged.
4. Meet with your instructor a minimum of 2 times per week.
5. Complete 5 hours of assigned readings, video watching, audio lesson listening and written assignments between each lesson as well as completing  personalized  Chair Flying visualization assignments.
    

COURSE PREREQUISITS:

1. Written exam completed:  to a score of 85 of higher prior to beginning the course. A study syllabus will be provided in advance to help you with this once you have submitted your information as instructed under the getting started tab on this website congradulations you are an initiative taker.
2. You must own or gain access to an IFR equipped aircraft to use for flight training.  
3. There is a possibility in the not too distant future that an airplane may be available for instrument students.  So if this is a need of yours reach out and express your interest.

ADDITIONAL SERVICE:

1. Checkride when you’re ready, guarantee.  Through built relationships and a reputation for highly prepared candidates. We get you your Checkride when you’re ready for it.
2. Your Instructor is always closely monitoring and tracking your progress.
3. Checkride date will be set for you with your schedule input and  in conjunction with  our communications with  a qualified examiner at the end of Lesson 5 out of 12.  At this point you have committed to the process and your instructor is committed to getting you across the finish line on the date that is now on on the books as we say.  This means  excitement as well as lots of hard work ahead.
4. Because of the superior year-round weather we experience in Northern California we are able to offer consistency in training as weather conditions; especially for instrument weather is not a major  hindrance for us in sticking to a pre planned training schedule at this location.  
5. We are fortunate in that we have easy access, in just a short flight, to the sunny skies in the Central Valley of Sacramento or into IMC clouds at Half Moon Bay and Monterey.  The perfect environment for getting your instrument rating.
6. For an additional fee of $500 a day and the expense of a hotel room, your instructor will travel with you and prepare you on site for your Checkride specifically to be ready for the unique environment that your Checkride will be held (2 practice sessions on site we have found to be plenty for giving students confidence and familiarity at the Checkride location).   Your Checkride will be in either Oregon or Nevada.  Students who wish to access this very valuable offering of having a Checkride ready for you when you are ready for it must be willing to travel up to 500 miles each way (1000 round trip) to receive their Checkride at their own expense plus $700-$1000 in examiner fees for  a generally 4-4.5 hour long Checkride.

GUARENTEES:

1. Upon completion of the entire syllabus of 12 lessons and 40 hours of instrument flight time (usually attained in 45 hours of flight time) 40 hours of  ground lessons with your instructor and completion of all homework assignments (all guarantees evaporate if you do not complete the homework folders in full—(yes there are pop quizzes given to check that you’re keeping up with assignments) --the readings and assignments are an essential part of the course design you will be required to complete them). You will be provided with a Checkride sign off and all endorsements at this point—-You are officially Checkride qualified and highly competent as a instrument student pilot who is ready to drop the student and become instrument pilot.
2. If for some reason, your instructor finds you not worthy of endorsement. You’ll be returned $4000 in course fees because we failed to get you to your goals if you’ve met all prerequisites of the course and completed all assigned coursework.  Has not happened yet!

COURSE FEES:

1. $11,000 total. A discount of $2000 for a cost of $9000 is being offered through January 1, 2025.
2. Paid in 3 equal installments at lessons 1, 4 and 8.
3. Payment accepted as Cash, Check and Zelle and receipts will be provided.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

1. 30’s woman main instructor. 2 other 30’s male instructors are also available who are experienced coaches and educators in their 30’s.
2. Former high school teacher and athletics coach with over a decade of combined teaching and coaching experience.
3. I’ve coached sport for elementary school students to Olympic level athletes. Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field and Triathlon.
4. A neuroscientist by academic training; so I know how to optimize your brain and neurochemistry for learning. Advanced degrees held in this field of academia and research.
5. A proven track record of success both in personal achievement and coaching, teaching and instructional results.
6. Harvard University bachelor’s degree holder.  When you work harder and smarter, there is very little you can’t achieve.
7. If you’re ambitious and willing to put in the work the sky is not the limit with how far and how fast you can go in your flight training; it’s just the beginning.
8. My vibe:  FUN AND GOAL ORIENTED at the same time as achieving things is a lot of fun to me.  My coaching and teaching style is “empathetically direct” which means I’m telling you all the things you need to hear, know and do to get to your aviation goals. However, how you say something is often just as important as what you say for the effect it has on behavioral modification and progress towards your goals.  And ultimately goal achievement. 
9.  As a student who does not yet have mastery at something you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position and I’m abundantly cognizant of this.   Learning with me is a fun and safe space; mistakes are part of the learning process—-I’m there to guide you through all of it.  I prefer to build people up rather than tear them down.  Turns out that’s effective for getting people to their goals too.

Sincerely 

FLY SKY CFI

President and CEO

Sky Smith