FAQs
FAQs
GENERAL
Yes, we do offer a discovery flight! Our discovery flight is divided into two parts, ground briefing and flight time. During the ground briefing, you and your instructor would plan the flight route and set the objective for the flight. During the flight portion, the instructor will demonstrate the four fundamentals of flying. He will also allow you to take control under his direct supervision and experience how to fly basic maneuvers in an airplane. The discovery flight is designed to provide insight into what a flight lesson looks like.
Initiating the admissions process is available at any time. Once you’ve decided to continue with the admissions process, one of our admissions officers will contact you and will explain the steps involved. Your admissions officer will be your point of contact until your first day in the academy.
Yes. We have a Redbird LD Simulator. More information about our simulator is available here.
We have an on-site approved FAA testing center where you can take all of the required airman knowledge tests.
FLIGHT PROGRAM
FlightGest Academy has approved programs under FAR part 141. We also offer programs under FAR part 61. Your admissions officer will work with you to determine the best suitable option for you during the initial admissions process.
There are many variables to determine the duration of a program, and there is no one answer for it. The duration to complete a program is subjective and depends on the student's progress and availability. Our programs are designed to allow time for the instructor and program managers to optimize the chances of success in the course, but will never compromise the quality of the instruction for the duration of the course. More detailed information regarding the timeline variables are described on the individual program pages.
FlightGest Academy does not currently offer programs for international students but we are working to develop such a program. Email your contact information to info@flightgestacademy.com and we’ll get back to you when this program is available.
Our admissions officer will provide eligible international students with further enrollment and eligibility requirements. Please differentiate between international (non-citizens) individuals who are legally present or able to legally travel to the United States for flight training and a sponsored student visa. We do not offer a student visa program currently.
All flight events and most of the ground training events are through individual instruction. Some training events, such as ground school sessions, are available in a group.
When starting a course you will be assigned an instructor matched to you by your program manager. Switching instructors during a course does happen for various reasons. All of our instructors are required to pass our standardization program, as well as taking part in continuing qualification programs. This allows us to ensure all students receive education at the highest standards. It is also a major benefit that our students have the opportunity to get comfortable in the cockpit with different personalities.
No. The instructor is picked by the program manager to best optimize your success at the academy. If for some reason, you or the instructor are of the opinion that a different instructor is best for you, the program manager at his or her professional discretion will reassign a new instructor to help you be more successful.
We do our best to align ourselves with your goals. However, our mission is to educate you to be a safe and professional pilot. We will not compromise your education to accommodate time constraints.
If any concerns arise regarding your ability to successfully graduate from our program, your program manager will conduct a progress review with you. Progress reviews are designed to identify any obstacles to your success as early as possible. We always strive to be fair and respectful with our students and do not wish to waste your time nor your money. With that being said, we have every confidence in our talented team to help you successfully graduate and become a safe and professional pilot.
Your total log hours will always be yours and you are legally able to count them in your private logbook. It is solely up to the instructor who endorses you to accept counting dual-given (instructor time) hours towards satisfying the minimum hours required for any endorsement or a check ride (practical test with FAA examiner). All of that is assuming compliance with all FAR part 141 or FAR part 61.
We recommend having at least 2 training events per week to allow a positive training experience. It is possible to have more training events (assuming equipment availability, weather, etc.) when you and your instructor agree that you would benefit from it.
All of our programs are built in a way to allow the intensity to be adjusted and be suited for the student goals, availability, and progress. We do offer a professional program which outlines and combines all the courses that are required to earn your commercial pilot certificate. For example, the private pilot course would be represented as a stage in the professional program. Every stage builds to fulfill prerequisites for your commercial pilot certificate.
FACILITY/MAINTENANCE
Upon completion of the admission process, you will receive a starter kit. Learn more about our starter kit bag.
GENERAL
Yes, we do offer a discovery flight! Our discovery flight is divided into two parts, ground briefing and flight time. During the ground briefing, you and your instructor would plan the flight route and set the objective for the flight. During the flight portion, the instructor will demonstrate the four fundamentals of flying. He will also allow you to take control under his direct supervision and experience how to fly basic maneuvers in an airplane. The discovery flight is designed to provide insight into what a flight lesson looks like.
Initiating the admissions process is available at any time. Once you’ve decided to continue with the admissions process, one of our admissions officers will contact you and will explain the steps involved. Your admissions officer will be your point of contact until your first day in the academy.
Yes. We have a Redbird LD Simulator. More information about our simulator is available here.
We have an on-site approved FAA testing center where you can take all of the required airman knowledge tests.
FLIGHT PROGRAM
FlightGest Academy has approved programs under FAR part 141. We also offer programs under FAR part 61. Your admissions officer will work with you to determine the best suitable option for you during the initial admissions process.
There are many variables to determine the duration of a program, and there is no one answer for it. The duration to complete a program is subjective and depends on the student's progress and availability. Our programs are designed to allow time for the instructor and program managers to optimize the chances of success in the course, but will never compromise the quality of the instruction for the duration of the course. More detailed information regarding the timeline variables are described on the individual program pages.
FlightGest Academy does not currently offer programs for international students but we are working to develop such a program. Email your contact information to info@flightgestacademy.com and we’ll get back to you when this program is available.
Our admissions officer will provide eligible international students with further enrollment and eligibility requirements. Please differentiate between international (non-citizens) individuals who are legally present or able to legally travel to the United States for flight training and a sponsored student visa. We do not offer a student visa program currently.
All flight events and most of the ground training events are through individual instruction. Some training events, such as ground school sessions, are available in a group.
When starting a course you will be assigned an instructor matched to you by your program manager. Switching instructors during a course does happen for various reasons. All of our instructors are required to pass our standardization program, as well as taking part in continuing qualification programs. This allows us to ensure all students receive education at the highest standards. It is also a major benefit that our students have the opportunity to get comfortable in the cockpit with different personalities.
No. The instructor is picked by the program manager to best optimize your success at the academy. If for some reason, you or the instructor are of the opinion that a different instructor is best for you, the program manager at his or her professional discretion will reassign a new instructor to help you be more successful.
We do our best to align ourselves with your goals. However, our mission is to educate you to be a safe and professional pilot. We will not compromise your education to accommodate time constraints.
If any concerns arise regarding your ability to successfully graduate from our program, your program manager will conduct a progress review with you. Progress reviews are designed to identify any obstacles to your success as early as possible. We always strive to be fair and respectful with our students and do not wish to waste your time nor your money. With that being said, we have every confidence in our talented team to help you successfully graduate and become a safe and professional pilot.
Your total log hours will always be yours and you are legally able to count them in your private logbook. It is solely up to the instructor who endorses you to accept counting dual-given (instructor time) hours towards satisfying the minimum hours required for any endorsement or a check ride (practical test with FAA examiner). All of that is assuming compliance with all FAR part 141 or FAR part 61.
We recommend having at least 2 training events per week to allow a positive training experience. It is possible to have more training events (assuming equipment availability, weather, etc.) when you and your instructor agree that you would benefit from it.
All of our programs are built in a way to allow the intensity to be adjusted and be suited for the student goals, availability, and progress. We do offer a professional program which outlines and combines all the courses that are required to earn your commercial pilot certificate. For example, the private pilot course would be represented as a stage in the professional program. Every stage builds to fulfill prerequisites for your commercial pilot certificate.
FACILITY/MAINTENANCE
Upon completion of the admission process, you will receive a starter kit. Learn more about our starter kit bag.
WHAT FLIGHTGEST ACADEMY STUDENTS SAY
"Jonathan R. Huml was enrolled at Cardinal Gibbons High School when he was first interested in flying. Upon recommendation from his grandfather (an instrument-rated pilot), Raymond G. Wile, Jonathan took his first flying lesson at Williamsburg Airport, VA – and was hooked. He was so excited about flying, that we checked out local airports close to RTP to identify a suitable flying instructor. After checking out several airports (some with just grass landing strips), we were advised to check out FlightGest. I met Dr. Gozzo, owner and himself an accomplished pilot, to discuss our situation and quest for pilot’s wings. After working with several great flight instructors at FlightGest, Jon settled on primarily working with Owen Chase. Owen and Jon logged over 50 hours of flying time together (with Jon flying about 75-80 hours total) and multiple cross country flights to Asheville, Kitty Hawk and Williamsburg VA (among others) before Jon’s muscular dystrophy progression made it impossible to continue his training. Flying gave Jon a different & better perspective on life. FlightGest even bought an electric cart to transport Jon to and from the planes. Owen and Frank gave Jon every opportunity to succeed – and for that, we will remain eternally grateful. I cannot say enough good things about the FlightGest staff or how well the operation is run. It is all first class."
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