FAQ's
QUESTION: I am already a licensed private pilot and I would like to rent an
airplane, what are your hourly rates? What type of planes do you offer for
rentals and flight instruction?
ANSWER:
Glacier Jet Center has two Cessna 172's. Glacier Jet Center services all
planes and maintains them with the highest standard of qualified mechanics!
Glacier Jet Center is a Cirrus Factory Certified Service Center.
Flight instruction $ 50.00 per hour
Cessna 172 N6506D $ 100.00 per hour
Cessna Cessna 172 N19768 $ 125.00 per hour
QUESTION: Once I complete my private and instrument flight training, dose
Glacier Flight Training offer additional advance training for my commercial,
Certified Flight Instructor license (CFI) and my Certified Flight Instructors
Instrument license (CFII)?
ANSWER:
Yes we do! Our FAA certified instructors can transition you into high
performance airplanes and give you professional flight training to take you
through your certified flight instructor’s license. We have a factory certified
instructor for the Cirrus SR22 and the Lanceair Colombia 400. These airplanes
have glass cockpits and the most technically advanced avionics available on the
market today. We are proud to be one of the only flight schools in Montana to
offer advanced pilot training utilizing this equipment.
QUESTION: I am a licensed pilot visiting from out of town, or just want to
get checked out in the plane, how much will it cost and how much time will it
take?
ANSWER:
You need to download the C172 check out form from our web site and have it
filled out prior to our scheduled appointment. You will review the paperwork
with an instructor and make any corrections if necessary. Please bring a copy of
your pilot’s license, current medical and a driver’s license. If you have
renters insurance we would like a copy to keep in your file.
The C172 check out is NOT a check ride, we simply want to know that you are a
safe pilot making good decisions and can operate the airplane proficiently.
There is no minimum or maximum time for this process. Your flight time with an
instructor may apply towards a flight review or phase in the FAA sponsored WINGS
program.
QUESTION: I am interested in becoming a pilot, how do I get started?
ANSWER:
Take an introductory flight lesson! It is important to have hands on
experience flying an airplane prior to making the final commitment to obtain
your private pilot’s license. We recommend you bring along your spouse to
educate them and answer any questions they may have. This includes forty minutes
of ground instruction and one hour flight lesson in a Cessna 172! You will also:
• Tour the facilities and see the airplanes available for instruction and rent.
• You will learn how to preflight the airplane in preparation for our flight.
• We will discuss where you would like to fly and introduce an aviation (map)
sectional.
• You will review the "cheat sheet" for ATC communications with the tower, and
if you’re comfortable, you will request permission to taxi to the run up area on
the airport and depart the runway.
• You will taxi the airplane from the parking to the runway using differential
breaking with your feet.
• With the assistance of a professional FAA certified flight instructor, you
will depart the airport and practice constant airspeed climbs, level flight,
turns, and much more.
• Providing the wind is calm, you will assist on the landing.
• You will receive a beautiful certificate of completion because of your first
flight!
QUESTION: Could you tell me a quick overview of what it will cost, and how
long it will take before I am a private pilot?
ANSWER:
The average student will spend approximately $5,500 to $6,500 to become a
licensed pilot. The cost depends on you as the student! It will cost you less if
you’re flying three times a week verses flying once a month. If you have the
time and money, you can obtain your license in just over a month providing the
weather cooperates! Most student pilots solo between 12 and 18 hours of flight
time. Once you have solo will come to the airport rent the plane and practice
what you have learned with your instructor. The FAA requires you to have:
• Forty hours total time in the airplane (national average is 70 hours).
• Ten hours of this time will be solo (you will not pay for an instructors time,
just the airplane rental per hour).
• Twenty five hours approximately of ground instruction (this will depend on
your ability to get homework done and prepare for the lessons).
• $329.00 for the Cessna private pilot kit.
• $ 80.00 for the Private Pilot Written exam.
• $ 60.00 Test prep for the private pilot written exam and software (optional).
• $280.00 on up for a head set (there are headsets available to use at the
school at no additional cost. Some students have been successful buying David
Clark headsets on E-Bay).
• $400.00 for your check ride (practical exam with an FAA examiner).
QUESTION: After the introductory flight lesson, I am 100% sure I want to be a
pilot! How do I proceed?
ANSWER:
You should make an appointment with an FAA Medical Examiner and get a "class
three" medical certificate. The certificate the doctor gives you is your STUDENT
PILOTS LICENSE! We recommend you have your flight physical as soon as
practicable to assure you are physically eligible to become a pilot. You do not
want to waste valuable time and money if you’re unable to pass the physical. The
class three medical or student pilot’s license is valid from the date of
issuance for three years if you are under the age of forty, and two years if
you’re over the age of forty.
QUESTION: How much will the FAA medical exam cost? What can I expect at the
doctor’s office for a class three medical? Should I bring anything with me?
ANSWER:
You should bring your driver’s license or passport for I.D. It will cost you
approximately $100.00. The appointment is similar to sports physical or
commercial driver’s physical.
QUESTION: What are some of the names and phone numbers of the FAA Medical
Examiners?
ANSWER:
Dr. Vranish Kalispell, MT (406) 752-8120
Dr. Dixion Kalispell, MT (406) 752-8120
QUESTION: Now that I have my third class medical certificate (student pilot’s
license) what next?
ANSWER:
Purchase your Cessna Private Pilot Syllabus and Kit from
www.kingshcool.com
Start your flight training!
Start studying for your FAA written exam (it will save YOU money in the long
run).
QUESTION: Which syllabus do you recommend?
ANSWER:
Both are an excellent product and provide structured step by step guidelines
for you to follow with your instructor. Your training with Glacier Flight
Training will be similar to a college class but a lot more fun!
We recommend the Cessna pilot training kit for those students who prefer to have
the same material presented to them by DVD & CD's. You watch a 45 minute to 1
hour long lesson then take the quiz after the DVD is complete. Cessna has the
leading educators in aviation teaching these lessons! This system tends to save
students money on ground instruction.
QUESTION: Is there financial aid available for flight training?
ANSWER:
PILOT FINANCE, INC is one of the recommended lenders; you can call them at
(800) 667-0201. Their address is 2101 Waukegan Road, Suite 101 Bannockburn, IL
60015-1836. Or e-mail them at
www.pilotfinance.com.
Glacier Flight Training has information on scholarships offered throughout the
U.S. and in the state of Montana. Most scholarship applications have a deadline
of November or December. The scholarships are awarded in March the following
year.