Fly for Fun!
Wish to fly for recreation? The Sport Pilot certificate could be your gateway into aviation. Regal Air can help you get started on earning your Sport Pilot Certificate with an Airplane Single-Engine Land endorsement.
- Online scheduling
- Non-U.S. Citizens welcome!
- Our maintenance team will keep you flying
- Fuel and line service included
Privileges and Limitations
Your Sport Pilot Certificate will allow you to:
- Fly by yourself or with one other passenger
- Fly an airplane with up to four seats
- Anywhere in the country
- Your Certificate never expires,
though you’ll have to meet certain currency requirements to keep flying
There are a few things you cannot do as a Sport Pilot:
- Limited to visual conditions only (no IFR)
- Limited to flying within the USA
- Can’t fly over 250 knots
- Can’t fly above 10,000′ MSL or 2,000′ AGL, whichever is higher
- Can’t fly an airplane with a pressurized cabin
- Cannot fly at night unless you receive additional training and an endorsement
- Cannot fly into towered airports (Class B, C, or D) unless you receive additional training and an endorsement
- Cannot get paid to act as pilot in command
- Can only fly aircraft for which you are endorsed (i.e.: airplane single-engine land)
- Can only fly airplanes with a stall speed of 59 knots calibrated airspeed or less in clean configuration
- Some single engine airplanes will require additional training and endorsements (such as those with retractable gear, constant speed propellers, or other advanced features).
Pre-Requisites
Before starting your training at Regal Air you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years-old to begin training*
- Be a U.S. Citizen or pass a TSA-Required Background Check
- Legal residents of the U.S. without citizenship, go to our TSA Requirements page for more info
- Read, Speak, and Understand the English Language
Course Content
Ground Training
“Ground Training” is any training that is not performed in an aircraft, simulator, or training device. The purpose of ground training is to gain an understanding of the aeronautical knowledge areas required by the FAA and to prepare you for the FAA’s Sport Pilot – Airplane Aeronautical Knowledge Test (AKT). This includes topics such as:
- Aircraft Systems
- Human Factors
- Meteorology
- Aeronautical Decision Making
- Airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations
- Navigation and Flight Planning
We understand that everyone has a different schedule and different needs. We offer several options to complete ground training based on your situation:
- Complete guided self-study with one of our instructors
- Complete a ground school provided by a reputable 3rd party
- Attend our in-person Sport Pilot / Private Pilot ground school
Flight Training
“Flight Training” includes training in an aircraft, simulator, or training device, provided by a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI). The purpose of this flight training is to teach you the skills, knowledge, and judgment required to safely act as Pilot in Command and to prepare you for the FAA’s Sport Pilot Practical Test provided by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
Course Stages
Our Flight Training Course is organized into three stages. Each stage concludes with a Stage Check provided by one of our highly experienced Check Instructors:
Stage 1 - First Solo
The goal of the first stage is to acquire enough skill and knowledge to perform your first solo flight around the airport. During this stage you will learn skills such as:
- Normal Procedures
- Emergency Procedures
- Basic flight maneuvers
- Flight in a towered airport environment
- Flight in non-towered airport environment
- Many other safety of flight items
Stage 2 - Cross-Country Flight
During the second stage, you will learn to plan flights to other airports, how to fly safely at night, and a few new flying skills. In this stage you will learn:
- Cross country flight planning and navigation procedures
- Night operations
- Short- and Soft-Field operations
- More emergency procedures and flight maneuvers
- Using Air Traffic Control (ATC) services
Stage 3 - Test Prep
In this final stage you will polish all of your aeronautical knowledge and skills and take an End of Course Check provided by one of our Check Instructors to best prepare for your FAA Practical Test conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
Flight Instructors
At Regal Air we understand that one of the most important factors affecting the success of students during flight training is the relationship with their instructor. Although all of our Certificated Flight Instructors (CFI) are fully qualified and capable of teaching you to fly, everyone has different scheduling and personality needs. We have a diverse team of instructors with varying levels of experience and backgrounds available to help you reach your goal of becoming a pilot.
Airplanes
The airplane you choose will have an impact on your flight training. We recommend choosing an airplane that is relatively simple as this will allow you to focus on the fundamentals and earn your certificate in a shorter amount of time.
At Regal Air you can train in one of the following airplanes:
- Cessna 152
Simple, inexpensive, easy to fly, and equipped with simple avionics, this airplane is an excellent platform in which to learn the fundamentals. Its low useful load and small size may make it uncomfortable for many students. It is easy to step up to a larger airplane (such as the C172) once you earn your certificate. - Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Handles very similarly to the C152, but flies about 5 knots faster. Slightly more expensive than the C152, but includes modern GPS Navigation systems and has a higher useful load and more space. Many students say the higher price is worth the added capacity and the training received in GPS navigation. - Piper PA-28 Warrior
Similar performance characteristics to the C172, but in a low-wing design. - Your own airplane
Regal Air can provide you with training in your own airplane! contact us about insurance requirements and if your airplane is a feasible option for Private Pilot training.
Maintenance and Line Support
One of our biggest advantages at Regal Air is the availability of line and maintenance support. Our large team of professional Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) ensures that our airplanes are in top shape and available for use when you need them. Our line crew “tops off” the airplane’s fuel tanks between flights so you don’t have to.
Course Requirements
To complete the course under Part 61 you are required to:
- Be at least 17 years-old
- 20 hours of total flight time, at least 15 hours of which are instruction including:
- 2 hours of cross country flight training
- At least 5 hours of solo flight, including:
- One solo cross country flight of at least 75nm total distance, with one segment of at least 25nm in length
- Pass the FAA’s Sport Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Test
- Pass the FAA’s Sport Pilot Practical Test
Course Costs
$15,000-$25,000
Regal Air works on a pay as you go system. There are no up-front costs to start flight training and you can simply pay for each lesson as you take it. We have a Premier Plan which can save you money as well as additional discounts if you make a deposit into an account at Regal Air. Please contact us about these options
Course costs vary greatly depending on the type of airplane flown and how many hours it takes for you to become proficient. Most people need 45-65 hours of flight training to become proficient enough to pass their FAA Practical Test, regardless of training under Part 61. A few steps you can take to keep costs down include:
- Prepare for your flights and know what will be performed ahead of time
- Practice procedures in a flight simulator or in an airplane while it is not being used
- Team up with another student to ride along and learn from each other (only doable in a C172 or PA28)
- Use a personal computer-based simulator to practice skills taught by your instructor
- Fly at least 2-3 times a week to ensure constant progress
- Fly in the C152, our most affordable option
- Start training in Spring-Summer when the weather is most consistently flyable
- Complete your ground training during fall-winter when the weather in the Puget Sound is worse