Choose Your Lesson
Our standard first lesson for new pilots.
Your Instructor at Aviator.NYC Is an Airline Pilot
You're not being taught by "flight instructors" — you're being mentored by airline pilots.
Starting out is overwhelming because no one hands you a clean roadmap.
We give you a repeatable way to fly — prioritize, stay organized, build transferable habits.
You don't just move forward. You move forward with clarity.
Your Training Path
A clear plan designed by airline pilots
Weather, Checklists & Confident Takeoffs
Learn to make smart "go / no-go" decisions, use real checklists, and feel calm during takeoff.
- ✓Understand how pilots check weather before every flight
- ✓Follow a written checklist that keeps flights safe and organized
- ✓Experience a full takeoff from runway to initial climb
- ✓Know what to expect—no surprises on takeoff
You'll walk away knowing exactly what happens during takeoff and how pilots stay ahead of the airplane.
Learn to make smart "go / no-go" decisions, use real checklists, and feel calm during takeoff.
- ✓Understand how pilots check weather before every flight
- ✓Follow a written checklist that keeps flights safe and organized
- ✓Experience a full takeoff from runway to initial climb
- ✓Know what to expect—no surprises on takeoff
You'll walk away knowing exactly what happens during takeoff and how pilots stay ahead of the airplane.
Ready to Get Airplane-Ready?
Lock in all four lessons with our 6-hour training bundle and save. You'll walk into the airplane confident, prepared, and ahead of the curve.
Understand the Real Cost and Timeline of a Private Pilot License
See how hours, rates, and your weekly schedule shape real training cost and timing—plus where simulator time fits in. Educational only, not a quote.
See how hours and rates shape real training cost and timing. Educational only, not a quote.
Our recommended rhythm for busy professionals. One lesson on the weekend, one midweek. This pattern typically lands students in the 65–75 hour range.
Your Training Journey
Stage 1: Foundations
Build your core flying skills
Master the fundamentals: straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, descents, and basic maneuvers. Simulator sessions help you build muscle memory before stepping into the aircraft.
Stage 2: Solo & Pattern Work
Fly on your own for the first time
Refine your takeoffs, landings, and traffic patterns. After demonstrating proficiency, you'll experience the milestone of your first solo flight.
Stage 3: Cross-Country & Checkride
Navigate real-world flights
Plan and fly longer trips to other airports. Complete night flying, build cross-country experience, and prepare for your practical exam with a designated examiner.
Cost Breakdown
Rates vary by location. Adjust on desktop for detailed breakdown.
Train Like the 20% Who Finish
Smart Path tackles the reasons most students quit: long gaps between flights, unpredictable costs, and no clear roadmap. With a Manhattan-based simulator, evening and weekend sessions, and milestones from first lesson to checkride, you keep momentum and always know what's next and what it will roughly cost.
Manhattan simulator sessions, clear milestones, and predictable costs keep you moving toward your license.
Book Your First LessonThese are estimates based on typical training progression. Your actual hours and costs may vary based on aptitude, weather, and scheduling consistency.
Need a Pilot's Perspective?
Active airline pilots, not a call center. Share your situation and we'll point you to the best next step.
Need Help Navigating All This?
There's a lot of information here. Two simple ways to get unstuck and move forward.
Try Our AI Assistant
- Acts like our personal assistant
- You share your goals once
- Instant link recommendations to our content
- Strong questions may unlock a booking or free consultation
Talk to a Real Pilot
- Prefer to skip AI? Use the form
- Your message arrives as an email to our airline pilot team
- We review it ourselves on our days off
- When a call helps, we invite you to a free phone consultation
Why the form? We're usually in the cockpit, not at a call center. A detailed message gives us context so we can call you back with specific, useful guidance and make the most of everyone's time.
How Our Airline Pilot Instructors Help You Succeed
Most new students worry: "Can I actually do this?" Our instructors don't just teach you to fly—they guide you through every challenge that stops 80% of student pilots from finishing.
"I don't understand aviation jargon"
We break aviation terms into plain English first, then add the technical vocabulary. You'll learn "airspeed" means "how fast you're moving through the air" before we introduce "indicated vs. true airspeed."
"I'm nervous about making mistakes"
Practice failures safely in the simulator first, then build muscle memory before the airplane. You'll rehearse engine-outs, electrical failures, and emergency landings risk-free—so nothing in the aircraft catches you off guard.
"I work M-F and can't get to the airport during the week"
Train Tuesday evenings in Manhattan, fly Saturday mornings at the airport. Stay sharp between aircraft flights with midweek simulator sessions—no month-long gaps that destroy momentum and force you to re-learn basics.
"I don't understand aviation jargon"+
We break aviation terms into plain English first, then add the technical vocabulary. You'll learn "airspeed" means "how fast you're moving through the air" before we introduce "indicated vs. true airspeed."
"I'm nervous about making mistakes"+
Practice failures safely in the simulator first, then build muscle memory before the airplane. You'll rehearse engine-outs, electrical failures, and emergency landings risk-free—so nothing in the aircraft catches you off guard.
"I work M-F and can't get to the airport during the week"+
Train Tuesday evenings in Manhattan, fly Saturday mornings at the airport. Stay sharp between aircraft flights with midweek simulator sessions—no month-long gaps that destroy momentum and force you to re-learn basics.
New York City
STEPS FROM 6 SUBWAY LINES
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Office
BikesWhy Hobby Pilots Train at Aviator.NYC
Why Train at Aviator.NYC
Airline Pilots Who Coach, Not Hour‑Builders
Your instructor isn't building time for the airlines—they already fly 737s, A320s, and 777s. Their job here is to coach you like a professional pilot, so you build habits that keep a weekend hobby safe for a lifetime.
Learn from airline pilots who coach you like a pro, not hour‑builders.
Train in Manhattan, Fly on Weekends
You work in the city. So do we. Use our SoHo simulator midweek for pattern work, radios, and emergencies, then head to the airport on Saturday already sharp instead of re‑learning basics.
Midweek simulator in Manhattan, weekend flights at the airport—no re‑learning basics.
High‑Fidelity Simulator, Real‑World Skills
Our FAA‑approved, full‑panel simulator mirrors the avionics and flows you'll see in the airplane. You can pause, debrief, and repeat until procedures feel automatic—before the Hobbs meter ever starts.
Fly a high‑fidelity, FAA‑approved simulator so the real airplane feels familiar.
One Instructor Who Stays in Your Corner
Train with the same airline‑pilot instructor from first lesson to checkride. They learn how you think, track your progress, and act like a coach guiding you through every phase—not just whoever was free on the schedule.
Stick with one instructor who knows your goals and keeps you on track.
Your Instructors Aren't Just CFIs.They're Active Airline Pilots.
Julian
ATP
Peter
ATP
Charles
ATP
Elijah
ATP
William
ATP
Ethan
ATP
Liam
Jack
Instructor Specialties
Active Airline Pilots, Not Hour-Builders
Your instructor isn't working toward an airline job—they're already flying 777s, A320s, and 737s. They teach because they love aviation, not because they need hours.
Same Mentor, First Lesson to Checkride
You won't rotate through different instructors. Train with one airline pilot who learns your learning style, tracks your progress, and stays in your corner throughout your journey.
Professional Skills for Personal Flying
Learn the same procedures, decision-making, and safety habits that airline pilots use every day. You're not just learning to fly—you're learning to fly well.
Private Pilot Training
Weekday G1000 practice in Manhattan
Weekday G1000 practice in Manhattan so you don't lose time to weather. Re-fly maneuvers, radio calls, and full lessons before your next real flight.
Non-U.S. Citizen?
TSA approval is required before your second lesson. We do NOT sponsor visas.
We do NOT sponsor visas.
Learn about TSA requirements →Plan Your Flight In Minutes
Pick a session, see the steps, and reserve instantly.
Trusted by 500+ NYC pilots and students
Must-Read Guides for New Pilots
Comprehensive guides and blog posts — from first lesson to airline career
Private Pilot License
Start here if you've never flown — we'll walk you through every step to your license.
Youth Aviation Program
Flying programs for ages 8-17 — clear milestones from first lesson to solo flight.
How to Start Flight Training in NYC
Practical first steps for aspiring pilots in Manhattan — from discovery flights to choosing a school.
Flight Training 101 in NYC
Overview of the full training process — certificates, milestones, and what to expect in New York.
Real Cost of Learning to Fly (2026)
Full cost breakdown for becoming a private pilot — realistic budgets, not just minimums.
Have a Question About Flight Training?
Ask us anything about private pilot training, costs, timelines, or our simulator.