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How Does the Young Aviators Program Work?

42 lessons across 3 stages. Each lesson focuses on one skill for 20 minutes. Ages 8-17.

How Is the Young Aviators Program Structured?

The Young Aviators program at Aviator.NYC introduces kids ages 8-17 to flying through 42 structured lessons across 3 stages. Each 20-minute session focuses on one specific skill using an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) with Garmin G1000 avionics in Manhattan. Stage 1 covers the fundamentals — straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents. Stage 2 builds on those skills with traffic patterns, navigation, and radio communications. Stage 3 introduces advanced concepts like cross-country flight planning and instrument basics. Every lesson is taught by a professional pilot instructor in a real training environment, not a game or toy simulator. Students who complete all 42 lessons have a strong foundation to begin Private Pilot training as teenagers.

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Stage 1 — Learning to Fly

Discover the CockpitFind and name the main controls: yoke, throttle, rudder pedals, flaps, trim.

Make It MovePractice elevator (pitch) and aileron (roll) in flight.

Rudder and TrimUse rudder pedals and trim wheel to fly smoothly.

Start the EngineComplete the engine start checklist from cold and dark.

Taxi PracticeTaxi on the ground using rudder pedals and brakes.

Wind on the GroundPosition the yoke correctly for wind direction while taxiing.

Going Up!Perform a takeoff and climb to 4,000 feet.

How High Can We Go?Read the altimeter and climb at the best speed.

Level OffSmoothly transition from climb to level flight at a target altitude.

Flying StraightMaintain heading and altitude in straight and level flight.

The InstrumentsIdentify and read the six primary flight instruments on the G1000.

Power and AttitudeChange speed and altitude independently using throttle and pitch.

Your First TurnPerform shallow turns (15-degree bank) left and right.

Coordinated FlightUse rudder with aileron during turns to stay coordinated.

Steeper TurnsPerform medium turns (30-degree bank) while maintaining altitude.

Coming DownPerform a controlled power-off descent from cruise altitude.

Flaps and ApproachUse flaps during approach and understand each setting.

The LandingFly a visual approach and attempt a landing.

Stage 2 — Advanced Skills

Flying SlowSlow the airplane to minimum controllable airspeed.

On the EdgeRecognize the buffet and stall warning at minimum speed.

Slow TurnsPerform gentle turns in slow flight configuration.

What Is a Stall?Understand angle of attack and the stall concept.

Power-Off StallPerform and recover from a power-off stall.

Power-On StallPerform and recover from a power-on stall.

Why Planes SpinUnderstand what causes a spin entry.

Don't Spin!Recognize and recover from an incipient spin.

Unusual AttitudesRecover from nose-high and nose-low unusual attitudes.

The SpinObserve a fully developed spin from entry to recovery.

PARE RecoveryPerform the PARE spin recovery procedure.

Practice RecoveryPerform multiple spin entries and PARE recoveries independently.

Stage 3 — Airport Operations

The Traffic PatternFly a complete traffic pattern around the airport.

Radio CallsMake radio calls at each leg of the traffic pattern.

Touch and GoPerform a full traffic pattern with a touch-and-go landing.

Engine Out!Handle an engine failure after takeoff.

Go-Around!Perform a go-around from short final.

Emergency LandingSelect a landing site and perform an off-airport landing.

No-Power ApproachFly a power-off approach from pattern altitude to the runway.

Aiming PointControl the aiming point using pitch and flaps.

Smooth TouchdownExecute a smooth flare and touchdown on a power-off approach.

Short RunwayPerform a short-field takeoff and landing.

Grass StripPerform a soft-field takeoff and landing.

Graduation FlightComplete a full flight from cold start to shutdown with minimal instructor help.

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