Academy FAQ Directory

Get answers to questions about pilot training costs, FAA medical credentials, flight hours logging, and airline paths.

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The total cost ranges from $9,000 to $12,500 depending on how quickly you accumulate flight hours. This includes aircraft rental rates (averaging $175/hr wet), flight instructor fees ($55-$65/hr), ground school classes, learning materials, and FAA checkride fees.

No, training at Northwind is structured on a pay-as-you-go program. You pay at the end of each flight lesson block based on actual tachometer/hobbs flight hours logged and instructor briefing time. We also offer prepaid blocks with a 5% discount, as well as financing packages through flight training lenders.

A "Wet" rate includes all fuel, oil, and scheduled maintenance. You are not billed extra for fuel burnt during your lesson. A "Dry" rate is the base rental price of the aircraft, and the pilot is responsible for purchasing fuel. At Northwind Aviation, all our aircraft rentals are billed at "wet" rates to avoid hidden fuel surcharges.

An FAA Medical Certificate is an aviation physical indicating that you are fit to fly. There are three classes of medical certificates:

  • First Class: Required for Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) commands.
  • Second Class: Required for commercial pilot operations (non-airline).
  • Third Class: Required for student pilots, recreational flyers, and flight instructors.

We recommend getting your physical exam done before starting flight training to ensure no disqualifying conditions exist.

You must be examined by an FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). You can locate local AMEs near our airport through the FAA MedXPress directory system. We have multiple partner flight doctors nearby Northwind Executive Airport and can assist with bookings during your registration.

If you train full-time (flying 3-4 times a week), you can complete your Private Pilot license in 2 to 3 months. If you train part-time (flying 1-2 times on weekends), it usually takes between 4 to 6 months. Consistency is key to reducing overall training hours.

Graduates from our commercial program typically build hours by working as flight instructors (CFIs), flying banner towers, doing crop dusting, or flying short-haul charter operations. Once a pilot reaches 1,500 total hours, they are eligible to apply for ATP certificate checkrides with regional airlines and major cargo carriers.

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