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Aviator.NYC simulator training facilityYour certificate is permanent. The confidence isn't.
RUSTY PILOT TRAINING

Your certificate is permanent. The confidence isn't.

Technology changed. Procedures evolved. Your skills need a modern foundation. Train one-on-one with airline pilots in our G1000 simulator to rebuild proficiency before returning to aircraft. Low-pressure environment. Professional standards. Manhattan location.

Zero-Pressure Environment
Rebuild skills safely in simulator before aircraft
Modern Avionics
Master G1000 NXi with actual airline pilots
Flexible Timeline
Train at your pace, when it fits your schedule
STRUCTURED PATHS

Three Paths Back to Flying

Structured training based on your experience level and time away from aviation

Aviator NYC rebuilds VFR and IFR proficiency in our FAA-approved AATD simulator before you return to the aircraft. Most rusty pilots regain confidence in 4-8 hours of simulator time — no checkout fees, no insurance surcharges, and airline pilot instructors who fly Boeing 737s and Embraer 175s professionally.

VFR PROFICIENCY

VFR Refresher Path

For private pilots returning to VFR flying

Duration4-6 sessions (8-12 hours)
Start With2-hour session to assess current skills
  • Confident with G1000 navigation and autopilot
  • Smooth radio communications and ATC procedures
  • Ready for aircraft checkout at your flight school
Start VFR Refresher
IFR PROFICIENCY

IFR Currency & Proficiency Path

For instrument-rated pilots regaining currency

Duration3-4 sessions (6-8 hours)
Start With2-hour session with currency assessment
  • Current with 6 approaches, holding, and tracking
  • Confident flying ILS, RNAV, LOC, VOR approaches
  • Ready for IPC checkride or actual IMC conditions
Regain IFR Currency
COMPLETE REFRESH

Complete Restart Path

For pilots returning after years away

Duration6-10 sessions (12-20 hours)
Start With2-hour orientation and ground review
  • Current on Part 91 regulations and airspace
  • Proficient with modern avionics and EFB tools
  • Confident in all VFR and traffic pattern procedures
Plan Complete Restart
Concept render of Aviator.NYC’s planned Midtown Manhattan location showing the Cirrus G3000 simulator bay, briefing area, and training floor
CIRRUS PROFICIENCY: COMING TO MIDTOWN

Rebuild Cirrus Proficiency Before Your First Flight Back

Returning to a Cirrus after time away? Rebuild Garmin G3000 avionics fluency before your first flight back. Practice approaches, autopilot modes, and emergency procedures on the same Perspective Touch+ workflow you will use in the airplane.

Aviator is moving to a new Midtown Manhattan location in October 2026 to make room for the simulator. Once the move is complete, the simulator order will be placed. Opening date to be announced; waitlist members hear first. We are still looking for investors for this project. See the investment opportunity.

G3000Same Avionics
SR20 / SR22Cirrus Profiles
ResetReplay Scenarios
COMMON OBSTACLES

Common Rusty Pilot Challenges

Glass Cockpit Intimidation

Step-by-step G1000 training with airline pilots who use it daily. Start with basics, build to advanced features.

Radio Communication Rust

Practice ATC communications in realistic scenarios. Build fluency with phraseology, readbacks, and emergency calls.

Regulation Changes

Ground instruction on updated Part 91 regs, airspace changes, and new procedures since your last flight.

Confidence Loss

Low-pressure environment to rebuild skills privately. Make mistakes safely, repeat scenarios, restore command.

Expensive Aircraft Time

Simulator training at $215/hour vs $350+ aircraft rental. Build proficiency at half the cost before aircraft.

Scheduling Flexibility

Train 7 days/week, early morning to evening. No weather cancellations, no aircraft maintenance delays.

WHY AVIATOR.NYC

Why Hobby Pilots Train
at Aviator.NYC

Professional instruction in Manhattan. Build skills here, fly at the airport.

Start Training
01

Airline Pilot Instructors

Learn from professionals who fly professionally.

02

Manhattan Location

Train in Hudson Square, minutes from any subway line.

03

FAA-Certified Simulator

Realistic training that counts toward your certificate.

04

Flexible Scheduling

Book sessions when it works for you. Evenings and weekends available.

Julian Alarcon, ATP-rated Flight Instructor and Boeing 777 First Officer at Aviator.NYC
JulianAirline Pilot and Flight Instructor

Train with Active Airline Pilots

Our instructors fly professionally for major U.S. airlines and bring that expertise to every simulator session.

ATP-certified pilots with thousands of hours in turbine aircraft.

They've been where you are — and they're here to help you get current again.

Meet Our Instructors
THE EQUIPMENT

FAA-Approved G1000 NXi Simulator

Built by Precision Flight Controls • Model GTX G1000 • FAA AATD Certified

IFR currency training takeoff in instrument conditions
FAA AATD CERTIFIED

IFR Currency & Proficiency

There's no reason to lose instrument currency in NYC. Log your required 6 approaches, holding, and tracking in our FAA-certified AATD—solo or with an instructor. Push your limits with mountain terrain, foreign airports, or challenging weather scenarios. Beyond 6 months? Prepare for your IPC in the simulator, then complete it efficiently in your aircraft.

IFR currency: 6 approaches, hold, intercept/trackChallenge yourself with worldwide instrument proceduresEarn FAA Safety WINGS activities creditsSpecific scenario training to challenge your IFR knowledge and skills
Book a Session
20+Aircraft Models
50hrsMax Loggable
100%FAA Certified

You fly round dials. Should you train on glass?

You fly a steam-gauge airplane, and you are wondering whether simulator time on a glass panel helps you or confuses you.

The real worry is instrument compatibility: that you will build a scan on one panel and then fight it in the airplane you actually rent.

This comes up constantly, and there is a workable rule of thumb. Do roughly your first twenty hours in the G1000 simulator, then go back to the steam-gauge airplane. Front-loading the glass time keeps the two from competing while you are rebuilding the scan.

How to choose

  1. Book the G1000 simulator and give it a concentrated block rather than an hour here and there.
  2. Spend that block on the scan and on procedures, which are the parts that transfer regardless of panel.
  3. Return to the airplane. The instrument picture changes; the airmanship, the procedures, and the decision-making do not.
G1000 and Cirrus SR simulators compared
 G1000 — suggested for youCirrus SR
AircraftCessna 172R / 172S, Cessna 182T / T182T, Piper Archer, and Diamond DA40Cirrus SR20 and Cirrus SR22
AvionicsGarmin G1000 NXiGarmin Perspective Touch+ (G3000 displays, GTC 580 controllers)
Panel typeKnobs and soft keysTouchscreen controllers
AutopilotGFC 700GFC 700
SoftwareGarmin G1000 PC Trainer (manufacturer software)Cirrus Perspective Touch+ profile on X-Plane 12
FAA statusFAA-approved AATD, loggable with an instructorFAA-approved AATD, loggable with an instructor
AvailableNow, in Hudson Square, ManhattanExpected online at the new Midtown studio no later than November 1, 2026.

What you get

Currency and confidence rebuilt on the ground, at a fraction of the cost of an hour of airplane time, without a scan that fights you.

What it costs to guess

Alternating panel types in short sessions is the fastest way to end up fluent in neither.

These are not video games

The G1000 simulator is an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). Flown with an instructor, the time counts toward the instrument rating, instrument currency, the private pilot certificate, and the commercial certificate.

The Cirrus SR simulator will be an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). Flown with an instructor, the time will count toward the instrument rating and instrument currency.

The Vision Jet simulator will be an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). Flown with an instructor, the time will count toward the instrument rating, instrument currency, and type rating preparation.

The VR simulators are recreational. They are not FAA approved, and time in them does not count toward any certificate, rating, or currency, even with an instructor.

More about the G1000 simulator

Which Simulator to Get Current On?

Rebuild on the panel you will actually rent. For most returning pilots that is the G1000, the glass panel that replaced the round dials you trained on. Cirrus owners coming back to their own airplane should wait for the Cirrus SR machine and its Perspective Touch+ flight deck.

Recreational, not a training device

VR Flight Simulators

Fighter jet missions or training airplanes, and your group picks. Recreational flying, not training. Not FAA approved, and time in it never counts toward a certificate, rating, or currency, even with an instructor.

More about the VR simulators

Rusty Pilot FAQs

IPC requirements, simulator options, costs, and what to expect.

Getting Current Again

IPC requirements, simulator options, costs, and what to expect.

Aviator NYC's rusty pilot program rebuilds VFR and IFR skills in the simulator before you step back into an aircraft — no checkout, no pressure.

  • Start with a simulator session to assess where your skills are
  • Rebuild instrument scan, radio communication, and checklist discipline
  • Practice approaches, holds, and emergency procedures safely
  • Transition back to the aircraft once proficiency is restored

Aviator NYC's AATD can satisfy most IPC tasks, but a full Instrument Proficiency Check requires some maneuvers in an aircraft — the simulator prepares you to pass efficiently.

  • If your instrument currency lapsed (no 6 approaches/holds in 6 months), you need an IPC
  • Practice all IPC tasks in the simulator: approaches, holds, partial panel, unusual attitudes
  • Complete the aircraft portion at a nearby airport with minimal additional time
  • Most rusty pilots regain proficiency in 3–5 simulator sessions before the IPC

Aviator NYC recommends the G1000 NXi for most returning pilots — it matches the avionics at Republic Airport (KFRG) and Morristown Airport (KMMU) flight schools.

  • G1000 NXi: matches Cessna 172S, Piper Archer, and Beechcraft fleets at local airports
  • G3000: for returning Cirrus owners who need platform-specific recurrency
  • Both are FAA-approved AATDs with loggable instrument time

Aviator NYC's rusty pilot sessions use standard training rates — most pilots regain proficiency in 4–8 hours of simulator time.

  • Training bundles available for multi-session discounts
  • Simulator time costs significantly less per hour than aircraft rental
  • No checkout fees or insurance surcharges for rusty pilots

Book Your Refresher Session

Start rebuilding your flying confidence today.

Fly With An Instructor

Starts at $180/hr

6hr bundle at $1,080 · Single lessons $215/hr

REMOTEGround School & Coaching — From $100/hr on Zoom

Trusted by pilots returning to aviation

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