FLIGHT ACADEMY / TROY, MICHIGAN
Learn to Fly at Victors Aviation
Whether you dream of a career in the cockpit or just want to experience the freedom of flight, we will get you there. No experience required.
FOUNDED BY A FORMER BLUE ANGEL · FAA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS & EXAMINER · CESSNA PILOT CENTER · CESSNA 172 FLEET WITH GARMIN AVIONICS · FAA APPROVED (LOGGABLE TIME) FULL MOTION SIMULATOR
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Take a Discovery Flight
Your first lesson is closer than you think. A discovery flight puts you in the pilot's seat with a certified instructor by your side. You'll take the controls, fly over Troy, and see firsthand what flight training is all about.
✓ No experience or commitment needed
✓ Fly our Cessna 172 fleet with Garmin 1000/3X avionics
✓ Perfect gift for aspiring pilots of any age
Flight Training for Everyone
You don't need a background in aviation. You just need the desire to fly. Our students range from high schoolers to retirees, hobbyists to future airline captains.
Curious First-Timers
Never been in a small aircraft? Start with a discovery flight. No commitment, no experience needed. Just show up and see if flying is for you.
Weekend Adventurers
Fly for the pure joy of it. Earn your private pilot license at your own pace and unlock a lifetime of weekend getaways and aerial adventures.
Career-Track Pilots
Structured private pilot training with a clear path from zero experience to your Private Pilot Certificate (PPL). Build the foundation for a professional aviation career.
2026 Cessna TOP HAWK Recipient
Train in a Factory-New Cessna Skyhawk. Selected by Cessna Itself.
In April 2026, Textron Aviation named Victors Aviation one of just five recipients worldwide for its 2026 Top Hawk program — one of the industry's longest-running manufacturer-school partnerships. Selection is reserved for flight schools that demonstrate exceptional student engagement, training quality, and dedication to advancing the next generation of pilots.
Through the program, Cessna has loaned Victors Aviation a factory-new, custom-branded Cessna Skyhawk (Model 172) — equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, ADS-B, and angle-of-attack safety technology. It's the most popular training aircraft in the world, and it's now part of the Victors fleet.
What this means for you:
You'll train in one of the newest Skyhawks in North America
You'll learn on the same modern avionics suite used in commercial flight decks
You'll be part of a flight school recognized by Cessna for the quality of its training program
In Cessna's words: these are the schools demonstrating "a commitment to growing the next generation of aviators." We're honored to be one of them.
Why Students Choose Victors
We built Victors Aviation to be the flight school we wish existed: modern equipment, transparent pricing, and instructors who genuinely invest in your success.
✓ Glass cockpit training from day one (Garmin 1000/3X)
✓ FAA-approved Redbird MCX simulator at half the cost of flight time
✓ Membership model that saves you money the more you fly
✓ Flexible scheduling that fits your life, not the other way around
✓ A real community of pilots, not just a rental counter
Your Path to Becoming a Pilot
Getting your pilot license is simpler than most people think. Here is what the journey looks like, step by step.
Discovery
Flight
Day 1
Take the controls for the first time with an instructor by your side. See if flying is for you. Zero commitment, zero experience needed.
Ground School + Initial Flight Training
Months 1 - 4
Learn the fundamentals in the classroom while building skills in the airplane and our full-motion simulator. Most students fly 2-3 times per week.
First Solo
Flight
Around 25 to 30 Flight Hours
After roughly 25 to 30 flight hours, you fly the airplane completely on your own for the first time. A milestone every pilot remembers forever.
Earn Your
License
Typically 4-8+ Months
Complete cross-country flights, pass your written exam, and take your FAA checkride (a practical flight test). Most students finish in 65 to 75 total flight hours.
Common Questions from New Students
Still have questions? Take a look at our full FAQ or reach out anytime!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A pre-flight briefing with your instructor, hands-on time at the controls of a Cessna 172, 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.
Authorized Cessna Pilot Center
Victors Aviation is a proud Cessna Pilot Center, part of an elite network of flight schools recognized by Textron Aviation for meeting the highest standards in training. Interested in purchasing a Cessna aircraft? We can help you find the right plane for your mission.
Your Wings Are Waiting
Take the first step today. Book a discovery flight and see why students choose Victors Aviation.
What is a Discovery Flight?
A discovery flight is more than a scenic tour. It is your first real flying lesson. You will sit in the left seat (the pilot's seat), take the controls, and fly the airplane over Troy and the surrounding area with an experienced instructor guiding you every moment.
There are no prerequisites, no paperwork, and no commitment required. Just a genuine curiosity about what it feels like to fly. Most of our members started exactly where you are right now.
How It Works
From the moment you walk in the door to the moment you land, every step is designed to be welcoming, exciting, and unforgettable.
01 - Meet Your Instructor
You will be greeted in our modern lobby and introduced to your instructor. We will walk you through the basics of the aircraft, answer your questions, and make sure you feel comfortable before heading to the hangar.
02 - Pre-Flight & Cockpit Orientation
Your instructor will walk you around the Cessna 172, explaining the key components. Then you will climb into the cockpit and get familiar with the Garmin avionics and the flight controls.
03 - You Fly the Airplane
This is not a ride-along. You take the controls. Your instructor handles the takeoff and landing, but in between, you are the one flying. Experience turns, climbs, and the incredible view from the left seat.
04 - Debrief & Next Steps
Back on the ground, your instructor will answer every question you have. If the experience lights a fire, we will map out a training plan tailored to your schedule, goals, and budget.
What to Expect
Your discovery flight typically lasts about an hour from arrival to departure, with approximately 30 minutes in the air. You will fly in our Cessna 172, a modern trainer equipped with Garmin avionics.
Feel free to bring a friend or family member to watch from the lobby. Our facility includes comfortable seating, and they can watch your takeoff and landing from the ramp area.
All you need to bring is a valid photo ID and your enthusiasm. We handle the rest.