GETTING STARTED

Schedule a Discovery Flight. It's a one-on-one introductory lesson with a Victors flight instructor where you'll actually fly the airplane (with the instructor right next to you). Most people walk away from their Discovery Flight knowing whether aviation is for them. Schedule yours online or call us at 248.750.8900.
None. The vast majority of our students begin with zero aviation background. What matters most is curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn. We'll handle the rest.
You can begin training at any age. The FAA requires you to be 16 to solo an aircraft and 17 to earn your Private Pilot Certificate, but many of our students start their training well before those milestones so they can solo on their 16th birthday.
No. As long as you can pass an FAA medical exam, you can fly. We've trained students from teenagers through retirees. Aviation is one of the few pursuits where life experience is genuinely an asset.
A pre-flight briefing with your instructor, hands-on time at the controls of a Cessna R172 K, and a post-flight debrief. You'll log the flight time in your new pilot logbook, which counts toward your Private Pilot Certificate if you continue training.

THE VICTORS MEMBERSHIP

Most flight schools operate like rental counters. Victors operates like a flight academy. As a Member, you unlock significantly reduced rates on aircraft and instruction, including a $75-per-hour savings on dual instruction. The Annual Membership is $999 per year and pays for itself in just 13.3 hours of flight time. A Monthly Membership option is also available.
The average student logs 60 to 75 hours during their PPL training. With Member rates, your savings on instruction alone typically exceeds $4,500. When combined with our pre-pay deposit bonuses, total savings on a Private Pilot License can exceed $5,500.
When you fund your training account in advance through Flight Schedule Pro, we add bonus credit:
- $5,000 deposit: $250 bonus credit (5% return)
- $10,000 deposit: $750 bonus credit (7.5% return)
- $20,000 deposit: $2,000 bonus credit (10% return)
These can be combined with your Membership for maximum value.

Total cost varies based on how often you fly, your natural aptitude, and how prepared you arrive for each lesson. Most students complete training in the 60 to 75 hour range. We're transparent about every line item, and our Membership plus simulator strategy is specifically designed to bring your total cost well below the industry average. Call us for a personalized cost estimate based on your goals.
Fuel is included. This is called a "wet rate." Some schools quote a "dry rate" that excludes fuel, which can make their pricing look lower than it actually is. Always ask before comparing.
No. Lessons are pay-as-you-go. Many students choose to fund a Flight Schedule Pro deposit account for the bonus credit, but it's never required.
Yes. We work with leading aviation financing partners. Call us to discuss the option that fits your budget and timeline.
Beyond aircraft and instruction, plan for: a headset (around $300 to $1,000), an FAA medical exam, books and study materials, the FAA Knowledge Test fee, and the practical exam (checkride) fee. We'll walk you through every cost during your onboarding so there are no surprises.

Two to three lessons per week is the sweet spot. Flying is a perishable skill, and long gaps between lessons mean repeating material you've already paid for. Students who train consistently typically finish faster and at a lower total cost than those who fly inconsistently.
Most students complete their PPL in 6 to 12 months when training 2 to 3 times per week. If you're committed to an accelerated path, it can be done faster.
Absolutely. Most of our students fit training around full schedules. We offer evening and weekend availability, and our online scheduling system through Flight Schedule Pro makes it easy to book around your life.

You'll train in our Cessna R172 K, equipped with the advanced Garmin G3X Touch avionics suite. This is a modern, capable aircraft with the same kind of glass-cockpit technology you'll see in commercial flight decks, giving you a meaningful head start if you decide to pursue aviation as a career.
The Redbird MCX is an FAA-approved, full-motion flight simulator. You can log up to 20 hours of your Private Pilot training in the simulator at roughly half the hourly cost of the aircraft. Beyond the cost savings, the simulator lets you practice procedures with weather control, instant resets, and pause functionality. You master maneuvers on the ground before burning fuel in the air.
We recommend purchasing your own headset for comfort and consistency, and we'll guide you to options that fit your budget. Other materials (charts, study guides, logbook) are covered during your onboarding.

Our instructors are FAA-Certified Flight Instructors who share Victors' commitment to standardized, safety-first training. Our methodology is informed by Founder Nathan Miller's military aviation background as a former U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet pilot, Blue Angel, and Squadron Commander. The discipline and excellence that defined his teams shape every lesson at Victors.
Part 141 is an FAA-approved, structured curriculum. Part 61 offers more flexibility in lesson order. The quality of training is the same. We'll discuss which path fits you best during your onboarding.
A standard lesson runs about 1.5 to 2 hours total: a pre-flight briefing with your instructor, the flight itself (logged on the aircraft's Hobbs meter), and a post-flight debrief where you'll review what you accomplished and what's next.

You'll need an FAA Third Class Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner before you solo. Victors policy is that you obtain your medical before beginning flight training to confirm there are no eligibility surprises down the road. We can refer you to local AMEs, including Dr. Kelin Prokurat, DO, who is also a Pilot Examiner.
A government-issued photo ID, proof of U.S. citizenship (passport or birth certificate), your FAA Medical Certificate, your pilot logbook (we can help you obtain one), and any existing FAA certificates if applicable. International students will need additional TSA approval, and we'll guide you through that process.
Always call before assuming a lesson is cancelled. Even when the weather doesn't permit flying, your instructor can often turn the time into productive ground instruction, which counts toward your certificate. Weather decisions are also a core part of what you'll learn as a pilot.