Getting Started…. We Love to Fly! Come Learn!

In many ways learning to fly is a lot like getting your driver’s license. The difference is that you’ll be taught by a Certificated Flight Instructor in an airplane, instead of a drivers’ education teacher in a car. You’ll actually start flying the airplane on the very first lesson!

So how do you get started?

1. Make an appointment to visit our flight School

You can simply call us: You may reach us by phone at Jonesboro (870) 268-1900 or at Fayetteville, AR (479) 521-9400. Or you may reach us by email at: fyv@skyventureinc.com. The best way to learn about flight training and about a flight school is to make a personal visit. While at our school, you will meet with our staff, tour our facilities, explore our aircraft, and get answers to your questions about becoming a pilot. There is no charge for this consultation. At this same appointment, you may choose to take your first flight lesson, your “Discovery Flight” (see Step 2. below)

2. Take the introductory flight lesson, the “Discovery Flight”.

This will be your opportunity to experience flight training first-hand at a very modest cost. You will get to “try it on” and learn how flight lessons are conducted with no obligation to commit to additional flight lessons. For more details on the Discovery Flight.

3. Choose a Flight Instructor.

While visiting SkyVenture Aviation, you will likely be introduced to several flight instructors on our staff. It is always our intention to place you with an instructor that will be compatible with you and your desires. Since all of our instructors employ the same syllabi, lesson plans and teaching style, this is often a matter of convenience. It is best to choose an instructor that can easily meet your desired training schedule. In any event, it is always OK to switch to an instructor whose schedule or teaching style better meets your needs.

4. Select a type of Pilot Certificate (license) you wish to obtain.

You have two types of pilot certificates to choose from when you first start flying: Private Pilot or Sport Pilot. Talk to your flight instructor about the type of flying you want to do and the amount of money you are willing to invest. This will allow him or her to guide you to the right certificate.

5. Select a type of aircraft.

The type of aircraft you choose will often depend on how you intend to use it. If you plan to fly locally for fun, you might want to train in a smaller, slower, more fuel-efficient airplane. If business trips and family vacations are on the horizon, you might want to train in a roomier, four-seat airplane. Click here for our list of aircraft used for training.

6. Budget your time and money.

We have already calculated the typical costs involved for each Pilot Certificate and rating. (Click here for Flight Courses). These good-faith estimates are useful for budgeting money. Up to 100% financing is available (call for details). But you will also want to budget your time. Consider that the typical flight lesson will take two hours to complete with the average flight portion of the lesson comprising a little more than one hour. After you “run the numbers”, decide how often you can fly and then schedule the lessons. You’ll find that establishing a budget and schedule will make the flight training process smoother.

7. Apply for your Student Pilot/Medical Certificate.

This is similar to the Learner’s Permit that you received when you were learning to drive. In most cases, the Student Pilot Certificate is part of your Aviation Medical Certificate, which certifies that you are fit for flight. This Aviation Medical Certificate must be issued by a qualified doctor. A list of local physicians that are qualified Aviation Medical Examiners is available upon request. It is very important to receive this Student Pilot Certificate and Aviation Medical Certificate very early in your training. We will be happy to assist you with this process.

8. Talk to pilots.

The world of pilots is larger than you may think, and there really is a brotherhood (and a sisterhood) among pilots. Pilots love to talk about flying and are always willing to give advice. One of the best ways to really find out about a flight school is to talk to current or former students that attended the school. SkyVenture Aviation, Inc. will be delighted to put you in contact with recent graduates and current students upon request.

Click here for frequently asked questions.