First Flight Aviation

Flight training and aviation consulting services in St. Petersburg, Florida, and beyond. 

Services

Flight Review

Get current or stay current with a flight review tailored to your needs, regardless of experience level. Flight grade sheet located here.

Instrument Check

Improve your confidence and competence planning for and operating in instrument conditions. Flight grade sheet located here. 

SMS Development

Have a tailored Safety Management System developed just for your organization. Improve your organization's safety culture.

About

I run a small (very small) flight training and aviation consulting business in St. Petersburg, Florida. I've been flying since I was 15 years old and am a military instructor pilot and flight examiner. I hold an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, as well as a CFI/CFII for airplanes and helicopters. I've accrued over 2,500 hours of civilian and military flight time in over 25 different aircraft, ranging from WWI and WWII aircraft to modern military helicopters. I am a flight safety subject matter expert and hold various civilian and military safety certifications, including certification as a Federal Aviation Safety Officer, military Flight Safety Officer, and an appointment to the FAA Safety Team. My goal is to enhance General Aviation safety by positively influencing pilots and organizations.

Details
Please review these details before scheduling services. Reach out if you have any questions.
  • Pricing. Instruction rate is $50 per hour. This includes flight and ground training. Aircraft rate is $170 per hour. I rent the aircraft for instruction, so you're just paying me back at the rate I'm paying - I don't make money on the aircraft. I think $50 per hour is pretty competitive, considering you're not getting trained by a 300-hour instructor with wet ink on their license, but what do I know? Pricing for other consulting services is on a case-by-case basis.
  • Aircraft. Training is provided in a 1973 Cessna 172M out of KSPG. It's VFR/IFR certified. Training can be provided in owner's aircraft. I'll fly just about anything you have, as long as it isn't a Robinson helicopter.
  • Scheduling. Scheduling is accomplished through direct communication with me. The aircraft's schedule can be found here, but my availability does not always match the aircraft's.
  • Cancellations. You must cancel no less than 24 hours before your scheduled event. The only exception is for day-of foul weather as agreed by instructor and student. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice and we were scheduled to fly in the C172, the aircraft owner will impose a significant fee that you are responsible for. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice and we were scheduled to fly in your own aircraft, I'll think you're not cool.
  • Safety Management Systems. Recent changes to 14 CFR Part 5 require more commercial aviation operations to have an official Safety Management System (SMS). Not only will an SMS ensure your compliance, it will positively enhance your organization's safety culture. You could probably make one with ChatGPT to put a check in the box, or you could make a small investment in having a legitimate SMS that signals your commitment to aviation safety. I have numerous civilian and military safety certifications and have authored and managed SMSs for aviation enterprises in excess of 500 employees.

FAQs

You have a few options, but all of them will require hard work and a serious investment of time, effort, and probably money. However, being a professional pilot for a living is very rewarding.

First, you could go through independent flight schools. The most common route is you'd get your Private, then Instrument, then Commercial, then Flight Instructor, then you'd build time instructing until you qualify to get your Airline Transport Pilot license. Scholarships and personal loans can help pay for this.

Second, you could go through a university flight program. Certain universities will send you through the above-mentioned training pipeline as part of a degree program. This bundles your flight training with more traditional education programs, so student loans and scholarships are readily available.

Third, you could go through the military. Earning your military wings will qualify you for equivalent civilian ratings, depending on what exactly you fly in the military. You will also not have to pay for flight training (at least not with money). The training you receive as a military pilot is highly valued by hiring airlines. However, this might not be the quickest way to the airlines due to service obligations, and I don't suggest anybody pursue a position as a military officer just as a stepping stone. You have to want to do it.

If you have more questions about the pipelines, feel free to reach out to me. Or, you can research the topic more on your own here.

See 14 CFR 61.109. You will require at least 40 hours of flight training, of which at least 20 hours must be with an instructor and at least 10 hours must be solo (you flying without a supervising instructor or anybody else onboard). Note, these are minimums and the national average is closer to 70 hours of training. This (normally) isn't because flight schools are trying to squeeze money out of you, it's because they want to make sure you are safe. There are some more specific time breakdowns in the actual regulation.

You will also be required to pass a written exam, an oral examination (with a check airman, not a dentist), and a practical flight check ride.

See 14 CFR 61.65. You will require at least 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument flying time, of which at least 15 hours must be with an instructor. There are some more specific time breakdowns in the actual regulation.

You will also be required to pass a written exam, an oral examination (with a check airman, not a dentist), and a practical flight check ride.

See 14 CFR 61.129. You will require at least 250 hours of flight time, of which at least 100 hours must be as pilot in command and 20 hours must be with an instructor. There are some more specific time breakdowns in the actual regulation. 

You will also be required to pass a written exam, an oral examination (with a check airman, not a dentist), and a practical flight check ride.

You must have your commercial pilot license and instrument rating, but otherwise there aren't many extra requirements. However, this is going to be the most difficult license you get for a while. You must not only know all the required material, you must know how to teach it and explain it. You must also know how to fly well from the right seat of the airplane while instructing the maneuvers and not letting the student get into an unsafe flight regime.

You will also be required to pass two written exams, a very lengthy oral examination (with a check airman, not a dentist), and a very lengthy practical flight check ride.

On 28 May 2024, the FAA published its final rule to amend 14 CFR 5 to require Part 135 on-demand operators and Part 91.147 air tour operators to implement a formal Safety Management System (SMS) no later than 28 May 2027. This requirement applies to organizations regardless of size, including sole individual operations. 

Contact Form

Reach out if you would like to learn more, have questions about offered services, or just have a cool aviation story to share. Let me know if you'd rather I email you, call you, or text you back.

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