Thanks for your interest in Prior Aviation. Here is some information to help you.
Prior Aviation Service Flight School, located at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, offers instruction from Private Pilot through Flight Instructor in single engine aircraft including instrument ratings.
Prior has two new Piper Warrior III aircraft, purchased in May, 2001, and an older Warrior II model to choose from. In addition, we also have a Cessna 172RG which is used for Commercial students and for those people wishing to get experience in a complex aircraft. We also have a PCATD flight simulator, with the Elite 7.0 software, which is integrated into the curriculum.
Prior Aviation is a Part 141 FAA certified flight school. The advantage of using a Part 141 flight school is the quality control that you will have regarding everything from curriculum, aircraft, instructors, to record keeping. Another advantage of training at Prior is learning to use Air Traffic Control and a Class C environment from the beginning of your training. Also, we are associated with Jamestown College to offer the opportunity for a student to gain college credit while pursuing their degree.
The costs for each course will depend on how you invest your time. The more concentrated your training time - the shorter the training period and ultimately the cost will be lower.
The training cost is based on a per hour rate. Instructor cost is $30/hour. Aircraft range from $89 to $107 per hour. The flight simulator, which can be used, for portions of Instrument and Private instruction costs $60 per hour (includes instructors' fee). Private Pilot may cost as little as $6,000 to as much as $9,000or more, depending on the number of hours needed to gain the necessary flight proficiency. Some of the major factors in determining the cost of the training include: the type of program you will be enrolled in (part 61 or 141), the model of aircraft you choose to fly, the quality your instruction, and your own experiences that you bring.
Learning to fly is very much like learning to play a sport or musical instrument at a very proficient level. The time required will vary from one person to the next. The average person takes between 65 and 70 hours to get a license. The Air Force students that I have are limited to 60 days and a total of 50 hours to complete their initial flight training with a private license. They are full time students to accomplish the program in that time with a ground and a flight lesson scheduled each day.
Gary Stevens
Chief Flight Instructor
Phone: (716) 633-1000
Email: pasflttrg@adelphia.net
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