Is this a flight school?
No. Gretchen is an independent flight instructor. You train one on one with her under FAR Part 61, on your schedule, without a school's enrollment process or bureaucracy.
Do I need any experience to start?
No. A discovery flight is built for people who have never touched the controls. You fly the airplane yourself with Gretchen beside you the whole time, and you decide afterward whether you want to continue.
Can I book a discovery flight?
Yes. It is a real introductory lesson, about an hour start to finish, with no commitment. Book it through the form or by text, and bring a photo ID.
How long does the private pilot certificate take?
The FAA minimum is 40 hours of flight time under Part 61, including at least 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo. Most people take more, commonly 60 to 80 hours, and the biggest factor is how often you fly. Two or three lessons a week is the fastest path.
Do I need my own airplane?
No. Rental aircraft are available locally through flying clubs Gretchen works with, and rental is arranged separately from instruction. If you already own an airplane, instruction can be done in your aircraft.
Can you teach in my own airplane?
Yes. If you own an airplane, instruction, flight reviews, and IPCs can be conducted in your aircraft. Reach out with the make and model and Gretchen will go from there.
What airplane will I train in?
A Cessna 172 equipped with dual Garmin G5 displays and a GPS navigator: honest, forgiving handling with a modern panel.
How long does the instrument rating take?
FAA minimums are 40 hours of instrument time including 15 with a CFII, plus 50 hours of cross country time as pilot in command and a 250 nautical mile IFR cross country. Most pilots take more than the minimums. Flying two or three times a week is the fastest path to the checkride.
How much does training cost?
Simple and transparent: $165 per hour for the airplane (wet, fuel included) plus $50 per hour for instruction, so $215 per flight hour all in, with no enrollment fees. As a rough guide, flight time alone for a private pilot certificate runs about $12,900 to $17,200 at the typical 60 to 80 hours, and about $8,600 for the instrument rating's 40 hours of instrument time. Some aircraft carry a fuel surcharge that varies with current fuel prices; you will know which before you book. Budget extra for ground instruction, the knowledge test, and the checkride examiner's fee. Where you are starting matters more than any average, so ask when you book and you will get an estimate for your situation.
Can I do a flight review while visiting the Space Coast?
Yes. Bring your certificate, medical, and logbook. A flight review is a minimum of one hour of ground and one hour of flight, scoped to how much rust there actually is.
Do you teach commercial and CFII?
Yes. Commercial certificate training and the CFII add-on for current instructors are both available.
What about multi-engine training?
Gretchen holds the multi-engine instructor rating. Multi-engine instruction depends on a suitable aircraft being available on the field, so ask when you book.
Do you teach private pilot students?
Yes. Gretchen teaches brand new student pilots from their first discovery flight through the private pilot checkride, as well as every rating after it.
Can I text instead of calling?
Yes, and it is often fastest. Text (919) 285-5350 with what you fly and what you are after.
Where do lessons happen?
On Florida's Space Coast, about an hour east of Orlando. Gretchen gives you the exact airport and where to meet when you book.
