Recreational
Pilot Path
Sunset flights over Lake Istokpoga. Breakfast in Key West. Taking your best friend up for the first time. The Recreational Pilot Path takes you from your first discovery flight to a Sport or Private Pilot certificate, on a schedule that works around your life.
Flying for the love of it
The Recreational Pilot Path is for people who want the freedom to fly themselves somewhere on a Saturday, share the experience with a passenger, and keep learning at their own pace. There is no career timeline and no pressure to fly full-time. Most of our recreational students fly one to two lessons a week around work and family.
You will train in a new Bristell NG5 with Garmin G3X Touch avionics, with the same instructor from your first flight to your checkride, under the Landing Doctor Code that our founder spent a lifetime refining. Whether you choose Sport Pilot or Private Pilot, you finish as a confident, safe pilot who is comfortable in a modern glass cockpit.
- One dedicated CFI for your entire course
- Fly on your schedule: mornings, evenings, Saturdays
- Written-exam prep and checkride prep built into the syllabus
- Student housing available if you're traveling to train
Three steps from your first flight to your certificate
Discovery flight
About an hour with an instructor on the ground, then roughly 30 minutes flying the Bristell yourself. Afterward, we build a plan around your goal, schedule and budget.
Choose Sport or Private
Sport Pilot is the fastest, most affordable route and needs no medical certificate. Private Pilot adds night flying, more aircraft and the ability to add ratings later. Your instructor will help you decide.
Train, solo, checkride
Follow our phased syllabus through your first solo, solo cross-countries and checkride prep, flying one to two times a week until you are ready for the FAA practical test.
Sport Pilot or Private Pilot?
Both are taught in the same aircraft by the same instructors. The right choice depends on what you want to do with your certificate.
Sport Pilot Certificate
Fly a light sport aircraft with one passenger in daytime VFR conditions. No medical certificate required, just a valid driver's license. About 50 hours, estimated $10,000.
Sport Pilot details
Private Pilot Certificate
Night flying, multiple passengers, a wider range of aircraft and the foundation for an instrument rating. About 60 hours, estimated $12,500.
Private Pilot detailsWhich certificate is right for you?
Most recreational pilots are surprised how much the Sport Pilot certificate lets them do, for less time and money. Here is the side-by-side comparison.
| Sport Pilot | Private Pilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated hours | ~50 | ~60 |
| Estimated cost | $10,000 | $12,500 |
| Medical certificate | Not required (valid driver's license) | 3rd Class Medical |
| Minimum age | 17 | 17 |
| Passengers | One | Multiple (aircraft permitting) |
| Night flying | No | Yes |
| Aircraft | Light sport aircraft | Wider range of aircraft types |
| Add an instrument rating later | No | Yes |
| Path to instructing | Sport Pilot Instructor at 150 hrs | Sport Pilot Instructor at 150 hrs, then CFI |
Estimates only. Individual progress varies. Checkride fees, written exam fees and study materials are additional.
Ratings and endorsements you can add later
Seaplane Rating
Add a single-engine sea rating or a sport pilot seaplane endorsement on Central Florida's lakes. Most pilots are proficient in 5–7 hours.
Learn more
Instrument Rating
For Private Pilots who want to fly in the clouds and travel more reliably. About 40 hours, up to 20 in the Redbird FMX.
Learn more
Multi-Engine Rating
Add a multi-engine class rating in our Beechcraft Travel Air.
Learn moreWhat makes Sebring Flight Academy different for recreational pilots
Modern glass cockpit
Learn on the Garmin G3X Touch with autopilot and Electronic Stability Protection. Skills that transfer to whatever you fly next.
Landings you can count on
Our Ground Proximity Awareness technique produces consistent, confident landings, even in gusty crosswinds.
Florida weather
Fly year-round from an uncongested, non-towered field with practice areas minutes away.
Honest, low cost
Light sport aircraft cost less to operate, and we pass that on. Published estimates, financing through Stratus Financial, and housing at $500 a month if you're traveling.
Before you book
Your first flight is waiting.
Thirty minutes at the controls of a Bristell will tell you more than any website. Book your discovery flight and find out for yourself.