Cardinal Flight Academy

Cardinal Flight Academy

Training Programs

From your first flight to advanced ratings — structured, one-on-one instruction tailored to your goals.

Private Pilot

Primary Flight Training

Start your aviation journey with the Private Pilot Certificate — the foundation every aviator builds on.

Primary flight training covers everything you need to earn your Private Pilot Certificate: aerodynamics, aircraft systems, navigation, weather theory, airspace, and the practical flying skills to operate safely as pilot-in-command. Training is conducted one-on-one, progressing at your pace from basic maneuvers through solo flight, cross-country navigation, and checkride preparation.

What's Covered

  • FAA Private Pilot Certificate (Part 61 or Part 141)
  • Minimum 40 flight hours (most students average 55–70)
  • Solo flight, cross-country, and night operations
  • FAA written exam and practical test preparation
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IFR

Instrument Rating

Fly in the clouds. Navigate airways. Shoot approaches to minimums. The instrument rating makes you a safer, more capable pilot.

Instrument training teaches you to fly by reference to instruments alone — essential for operating in IMC, navigating the IFR system, and flying precision and non-precision approaches. You'll learn to file and fly IFR flight plans, hold, intercept and track airways, and execute approaches to published minimums. The instrument rating dramatically expands where and when you can fly.

What's Covered

  • FAA Instrument Rating — Airplane (IRA)
  • Minimum 50 hours cross-country PIC time required
  • 40 hours actual or simulated instrument time
  • Precision and non-precision approach training
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Commercial

Commercial Pilot Certificate

Fly for compensation or hire. The commercial certificate is the next step toward a professional aviation career.

Commercial training elevates your flying to a higher standard of precision and professionalism. You'll master complex maneuvers, develop refined airmanship, and build the aeronautical knowledge required to act as pilot-in-command for compensation or hire. Training covers commercial-specific maneuvers, complex aircraft operations, and thorough checkride preparation.

What's Covered

  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate — ASEL or AMEL
  • 250 total flight hours required
  • Complex aircraft endorsement included
  • Commercial maneuvers: chandelles, lazy eights, eights on pylons
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Multi-Engine

Multi-Engine Rating

Add multi-engine privileges and master the critical skills required for twin-engine operations.

Multi-engine training covers the aerodynamics, systems, and procedures unique to twin-engine aircraft. You'll develop proficiency in normal and abnormal operations, with heavy emphasis on engine-out procedures — the most critical skill set in multi-engine flying. Training is conducted in a light twin and prepares you for the FAA practical test.

What's Covered

  • FAA Multi-Engine Rating added to existing certificate
  • Multi-engine aerodynamics and systems
  • Engine-out procedures, Vmc demonstrations
  • No minimum hour requirement — proficiency based
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Endorsement

Taildragger Endorsement

Conventional gear aircraft demand real stick-and-rudder skill. Taildragger training makes you a more complete pilot.

Flying a tailwheel aircraft requires precise rudder coordination, disciplined ground handling, and a fundamentally different approach to takeoffs and landings. Taildragger training sharpens your foundational flying skills in ways that carry over to every aircraft you'll ever fly. The endorsement is required to act as PIC of any conventional gear airplane.

What's Covered

  • FAA Tailwheel (Conventional Gear) Endorsement
  • Three-point and wheel landings
  • Ground loop prevention and crosswind technique
  • Proficiency-based — typically 5–10 hours
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Endorsement

High Performance Endorsement

Required to fly aircraft over 200 horsepower. Step up to faster, more capable airplanes.

The high performance endorsement is required to act as pilot-in-command of any aircraft with more than 200 horsepower. Training covers high-performance engine management, constant-speed propeller operation, retractable gear systems, and the operational differences from standard trainers. A natural step after the commercial certificate or for pilots moving into faster aircraft.

What's Covered

  • FAA High Performance Endorsement
  • Constant-speed propeller and engine management
  • Retractable gear systems and procedures
  • Proficiency-based — typically 5–10 hours
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Ground

Ground School

Comprehensive ground instruction for written exam prep and aeronautical knowledge — standalone or integrated with flight training.

Ground school covers the full scope of aeronautical knowledge required for FAA written exams and practical tests: regulations, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather theory, navigation, airspace, and flight planning. Available as standalone instruction for written exam preparation or integrated with your flight training program for a complete, coordinated approach to earning your certificate.

What's Covered

  • FAA written exam preparation (all certificates)
  • Aeronautical knowledge: weather, navigation, regulations
  • Oral exam preparation and checkride briefings
  • Available standalone or integrated with flight training
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Ready to Get Started?

Call or reach out to discuss your goals and find the right training path.

Contact Cardinal Flight Academy(614) 571-1718