14-Day Private Pilot Training

My time in California with AFIT was both memorable and pleasant. It allowed me to complete a long -waited goal in 2 weeks. My instructor Ciprian was a nice person and very accommodating. He answered the phone very quick whenever I had questions or comments. He let me decide the time of day we fly as much as possible and his teaching style was very good for me.

I didn’t feel ready to do my cross-country solo and asked if we could do it one more time together and he was more than happy to. I enjoyed how nothing was sugar coated and he just told me when things may not have been good enough and followed with what I can do to correct them. In addition to Ciprian the Facility manager, Alex was also a very nice guy. The planes themselves were nice and well maintained.

Over all my experience was amazing and would recommend it to anyone thinking about getting their private pilot license.

Sincerely,

Brandon Garlock

Aurora, Colorado

10-Day IFR Course Review

I just passed my instrument check ride after 10 awesome days of instruction with Thomas at South Valley Regional in Utah. I had a wonderful experience, and would highly recommend anyone to go through Tom and AFIT.

Pros:

– The same instructor and the same plane every day! The consistency was so helpful and it made a huge difference in being able to successfully pass my check ride first try in only 10 days.

– Tom is so experienced and knowledgeable about flying, especially instrument flying. I appreciated all of his stories and examples of why different things were important.

– Getting the check ride scheduled for me made it less stressful trying to find a DPE (especially since I was coming from a different state). The DPE Tom had me schedule with was perfect. He held me to the standard but he wasn’t trying to make me fail like it sometimes feels with other DPEs. I also don’t know how far in advance most people schedule, but I’m really glad I scheduled out far in advance to make the dpe schedule work.

– Tom worked around my schedule and preferences, ie flying early and since we had 12 days from when we started to my check ride taking two days off to rest.

One suggestion I have is building in one or two days break into the course, especially since we had to fly so early because of the 100+ degree temperatures in Utah for these two weeks. It was so nice to have a short break and refresh, otherwise I feel like I would have shown up at my check ide drained.

I also didn’t fully know what to expect going into the course, it ended up being less intense and strict than I was imagining (perhaps due to my previous military life lol). I’m not sure if others felt that way but I was pleasantly suprised with how nice Tom is and how great his instruction skills are, at least for my learning style.

I have no criticisms of the course. I successfully passed my check ride first try and feel I have a solid understanding of instrument flying. I had a great experience!

Jillian Combs

Colorado Springs, Colorado

14-Day Private Pilot Training

Tony, I am writing you today to thank you and the entire team at AFIT for helping me full fill a lifelong dream of being a certified private pilot. My instructor Art was thorough and patient as well as very knowledgable. Everyone worked to give me all the time and training I needed to complete my training and pass my check ride. Alex did and excellent job of making sure the plane was ready to go by completing maintenance at night.

I will be back for IFR training in 6 months. Sincerely

Jason Teeples

San Diego, California

14 Day Private Pilot Training Course

Dear Tony,

Thank you so much for all your help in completing my PPL. Jorge and Ricky were amazing instructors—patient, skilled, and always encouraging. Even when the DPE canceled, you quickly found a solution and kept things on track.

I’ll be returning in January for my Instrument training. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me.

Thanks again!

Andres Alvarez

San Diego, California

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

Hi Tony,

Ciprian is a fantastic flight instructor. He is professional, patient, and improved my skills immensely with every hour I flew with him. I highly recommend him. AFIT helped me earn my PPL and make me a more confident pilot.

Also, what do you have available for instrument training?

Cody Larsen

Vienna, West Virginia

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

Hi Tony,

I just wanted to email thank you for setting me up with Paul in Van Nuys. Over the last two weeks, I learned what it takes to become a pilot and became one! Accelerated flight training is the way to go! The LA airspace requires your full attention to detail and Paul guided me every step of the way. I passed my checkride on the last day of the course and on day one I never would have thought this was possible. I became a competent and confident pilot by the end of the course and can’t thank Paul and afit enough. I look forward to seeing what opportunities and experiences this new PPL will bring me, and I 100% recommend this program to whoever is committed to the challenge of accelerated flight training.

Thanks again Tony and Paul!

Andrew Saunders

Essex Junction, Vermont

My Private Pilot Training

Hi Tony!

I want to thank you, Jorge, and everyone else who makes the AFIT operation work, especially all the lovely folks I met at Van Nuys. I am fortunate to say that almost everyone I’ve met so far in my short encounter with the generation aviation world has been wonderful and my time has been incredibly well spent – on the ground and in the air.

For my own journey – I am not pursuing a new occupation, but living up a long sought after dream – I wanted to fly since I was a kid, but never had the opportunity to achieve this until recently. I started out with a more traditional schedule; however, the weather challenges compounded those of daily life. With a demanding job and a busy schedule, it has been difficult to find time to fly consistently, and making progress was difficult. 

I encountered the AFIT program almost by chance; I had an unexpected break in my schedule and luckily that coincided with instructor availability. The AFIT program immediately made sense to me. It allowed me to effectively and efficiently use a short block of time on the calendar to fly daily, develop skills, and practice maneuvers. It allowed me to disconnect from everything else for long enough to achieve the skill level required to complete training. Jorge is a veteran instructor, which allowed him to break away from “traditional” scheduling and rigid curriculums to identify which topics can be expedited, while focusing on the skills I had difficulty with, working with me through negative transfer of skills (who knew you can’t drive an airplane like a car?) and tailoring instruction to me.

My experience in traveling elsewhere to train was, albeit challenging on some aspect, good – and allowed me to focus on training. Being able to train at your location allowed me to gain more confidence and skill with different real-life settings.

Lastly, your responsiveness and advice, from almost half a world away, did not go unnoticed and are highly appreciated. I am grateful for the opportunity and training that I received from you.

Thanks again,

Amnon Berger

Westwood, Massachusetts

IFR and Commercial Flight Training

I recently completed my accelerated flight training for both the instrument rating and commercial certificate. I recommend a fully immersive, accelerated training program, like AFIT, to anyone looking and hoping to get training done efficiently. I have now trained through traditional flight schools, independent instructors, and now AFIT. There is nothing better than having an instructor and airplane fully dedicated to you throughout the entire training experience, and for you as the trainee to be fully focussed and engaged day in and day out. 

For my training I was fortunate to be paired with Ricky at Lincoln, California. It couldn’t have been a better fit. Rick is super patient, knowledgeable and without a doubt experienced at training others to fly. His experience as an instructor contributed greatly to the efficiency and overall efficacy of my training.

I had a positive experience with AFIT and only wish I had found them sooner.

Steve Meads

Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Private Pilot Finish-Up Course

I’d totally recommend AFIT finish up programs for anyone who’s getting dragged on any rating! I’m really glad I made the trip 5-hour flight from Charlotte to LA to get my training and check ride. I now know who to call if I get dragged on instrument and commercial and CFI and all the ratings I’m headed onto. Thanks to AFIT finish up I’m now headed to a university flight degree. Ciprian was very straightforward in making sure I was check ride ready but also not overdoing it like some other CFIs out there. After both my solo and solo xc CFIs left I struggled to find a reliable somebody willing to finish me up, and I’d googled “private pilot finish up school” and when y’all and many others came up I’m really glad I found and chose y’all of them.

Thank you

Sophie Clothiaux

Aiken, South Carolina

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

“Can’t thank Tony and my CFI Paul enough. I strongly recommend AFIT to any student who is serious about getting their PPL. Don’t waste your time or money on another program – AFIT will get you across the finish line.” 

Brian Brown

Austin, Texas

10-Day Private Pilot Finish-Up course

My experience with A.F.I.T was top notch! Between the wind storms and fires we still got it done. My flight instructor was tremendously experienced and patient with a new student.  I gained real world knowledge and confidence.  The planes were ready and available and being able to learn in an active towered environment provided the confidence to handle any airspace in the future.

I’ll be confirming my IFR training soon in my Cirrus SR-22 Generation 5.

Thanks again.

Brandon Blaker

Kerrville, Texas

Private Pilot Training Course

Tony,

Chad is an outstanding flight instructor who genuinely cares about his students and their success. He is incredibly responsible and consistently goes above and beyond to support his students in achieving their aviation dreams. His ability to adapt his teaching style to different learning needs ensures that every student receives personalized guidance.

Beyond his professionalism, he has a great personality—funny, approachable, and engaging. Flying with him feels like flying with a friend; it’s enjoyable, motivating, and exciting, yet at the same time, you’re constantly learning and growing as a pilot. His passion for aviation and dedication to his students make him an exceptional mentor and an absolute pleasure to fly with.

Additionally, the Van Nuys location school manager is highly knowledgeable and always willing to assist students throughout their training journey. One of the biggest advantages of training at A.F.I.T. is the access to DPEs, which significantly reduces the waiting time for check rides. This makes the entire process much more efficient, allowing students to complete their training faster and with greater ease.

I highly recommend A.F.I.T to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, supportive, and inspiring flight instructors.

Summer Yang

Los Angeles, California

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

Earning my private pilot license was one of the most fulfilling and immersive experiences of my life. Every flight brought a new challenge, a deeper understanding of aviation, and a great sense of freedom. The journey was both exhilarating and rewarding. I couldn’t have done it without the dedication and expertise of Tony, Art, and Alex —their guidance, patience, and passion for flying made all the difference. I highly recommend them to anyone pursuing their aviation dreams. The feeling of piloting an aircraft is unmatched!

Thanks for everything.

Chase Enloe

New York, New York

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

Working with Steven and AFIT was truly a pleasure. From day one Steven, and the other instructors at the Lincoln, CA location were always willing to answer my questions thoroughly and provide valuable advice. Steven was fully engaged each day and pushed me to think like a PIC from our first lesson. Additionally, Steven was never afraid to provide honest feedback about all aspects of the flight training, which I found to be extremely useful.

The fast paced environment of the PPL course is definitely no joke and you will get out what you put in. With that being said, having a good grasp of the ground knowledge prior to starting will allow for a bit more of a seamless process as you begin learning how to fly.

Overall I am very satisfied with my experience at AFIT and with Steven. I would highly recommend Steven to other students as he has a lot of great insight and will push you to be the best pilot you can be.

Additionally, Tony was very helpful throughout each step of the process. He provided great insight into flight training and was able to assist me when any issues arose.

Bernd Martens

Milton, Massachusetts

10-Day IFR Training Course Cirrus SR22T-GTS G6 Platinum

I had the pleasure of training with Eddie Skelton for my instrument rating. His depth of knowledge in IFR procedures, navigation, and emergency protocols was unrivaled. The skill was on display as we crossed a multitude of terrain, actual weather scenarios, procedures, and communications. There was an emphasis on the core principles over pre-flight and inflight decision making which accelerates any pilot far beyond their years. This helped me build the confidence to handle real-world IFR challenges as they will come.

Eddie also provided valuable insights into FAA regulations, chart reading, and VOR navigation which made my transition to IFR flying understandable and safe. Proof enough might be that I safely navigated on a 2200 miles cross country using most of the concepts we learned on the final day of training as a solo mission.

Beyond a CFII specific training Eddie cultivated a relationship with me as a trainee and was invested in a successful outcome. Together we tried to prioritize what was needed sprinkling breaks into the consolidated training. Eddie also took extra care to try to meet with the DPE in person several times. This is unusual and appreciated.

Phil Magrogan

Herndon, Virginia

10-Day Instrument Training Course

Flying with AFIT was one of the best decisions I have made in my life, not only did I get my Instrument flight Rules certificate, but I also learned how to be a better pilot in general, the instructors at AFIT are top of the line in my personal opinion. I have had many instructors in the past but none of them compare to the ones over at AFIT…

I also got to fly into the LAX Bravo when flying from Van Nuys to Catalina Island and I learned a lot by communicating with ATC inside of the Bravo Airspace. I also learned how to control an airplane better by not over controlling and letting the plane fly itself with only minimal inputs, and not over controlling. On my first day I was putting too many inputs into the aircraft causing me to fatigue quicker… and by the end I was really good at making smooth inputs, and not over steering. Overall the staff at AFIT VNY is great, the training environment is amazing, and I will be coming back to AFIT for my CPL rating!!!

Thanks,

Timothy Svetlichnyy
Westminster, Colorado

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

After a 29-year hiatus, my dream of flying felt finally within reach. As a teenager, I had successfully soloed, but life had gotten in the way, and my journey to a private pilot’s certificate was put on hold. All those years, the passion never faded, and I longed to be back in the pilot’s seat.

I knew the traditional route of working with multiple instructors over several months wouldn’t suit my learning style. My goal was to find an immersive, accelerated course where I could work one-on-one with a seasoned and experienced instructor. That’s when I discovered Tony and AFIT. When Tony and I connected, we immediately hit it off, and he laid out my best options. Within a few days, I was introduced to Todd, my instructor whose impressive background and experience immediately resonated with me.

The process moved quickly. Just 10 days later, I was in Rexburg, Idaho, ready to begin a two-week accelerated course with Todd. From the moment we met, I knew he was the right instructor for me. His teaching style was a perfect fit, and he was also just a great, friendly guy as well. Todd walked me through the training plan, which was all leading up to a pre-scheduled check ride with a DPE that he had very diligently arranged. I knew my success depended on the study work I put in prior to arriving and throughout my flight training.

Once in the airplane, Todd made me feel comfortable immediately. We quickly built a rapport that made the learning process fun and enjoyable. My rusty skills became refined within a few days, and Todd’s clear and insightful tips made me feel confident in my abilities. In just six short days, I soloed, exactly as Todd had predicted.

The following days were a whirlwind of progress. We flew twice at night, and I completed two solo cross-country trips in addition the multiple solo flights I took. Todd’s excellent instruction and guidance kept me encouraged. As the check ride approached, he coached me daily, quizzing me on the oral portion of the exam and aided in refining the key flight maneuvers for the practical exam.

On the morning of the check ride, Todd and I took the short, beautiful flight to Bozeman, Montana. He continued to instill confidence in me right up to the moment I sat down with the DPE. Three hours later, and with Todd’s voice in my head guiding me, I brought the airplane to a stop on the ramp. The DPE told me I had passed! I had become a certificated private pilot on what I later learned was National Aviation Day, a fitting end to a long journey.

Without Todd’s incredible experience and instruction, I’m not sure it would have been possible for me to achieve this lifelong dream. Todd is an excellent CFI and a great guy, and I truly look forward to working with him again on advanced ratings in the future. The AFIT program works, but as I learned, you get out of it what you put into it. Study, listen, read, and absorb—your success depends on it!

My experience with Todd was nothing short of incredible! Through his expert instruction there are key things and processes that he’s instilled in me that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Adam Moon

Denver, Colorado

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

Hi Tony,

Thank you to AFIT for making a lifelong dream come true! This program is not for the faint of heart – it is very condensed and challenging, but well worth the effort. Sergei made himself fully available and ensured I would be meeting the standards required to pass my check ride. Romo provided a helpful second perspective as I was preparing for my check ride as well. If you have a tight schedule this method works!

Thanks for Everything

Julian Greenhill

Chicago, Illinois

10-Day Instrument Training Course

My name is Noah, and I completed the 10-day accelerated IFR training course. I had spent most of my flight hours at a traditional flight training school and wasn’t satisfied with how slowly I was progressing, so after some research, I found AFIT. From my first phone call with Tony to the day of my check ride, it was a great experience. I felt supported, and everyone involved seemed genuinely invested in my success.

My Experience: When I first called Tony, he was able to fit me into the schedule fairly quickly. I believe I actually filled in for another student who was unable to do the program on the scheduled dates. After my initial call with Tony, he put me in touch with my instructor, Eddie. When Eddie and I spoke, he suggested doing my training in an aircraft with a G1000. I had never flown with those avionics, so he arranged a time for me to come out a week before and do a trial flight to make sure I could adapt to the new-to-me system.

Once I had settled on the plane I would be flying, it was time to get to work. The first couple of days, we spent mornings doing ground school and afternoons in the plane. I will say the first three to four days were challenging simply due to the amount of new material I was learning. With that being said, Eddie did a great job making sure I wasn’t too overwhelmed and supported (more on Eddie below).

About halfway through the program, things began to click. We did two days of long flights (about seven hours each) with numerous instrument approaches. As we entered our last couple of days, we stayed mostly local, doing a high volume of approaches at a fast pace to solidify my skills and push myself. By the time I finished the training, I felt confident both in the plane and in my oral exam knowledge.

This brings us to the check ride. I proceeded with an examiner named Jonathan, who made me feel very comfortable and was extremely professional through the exam process. In conclusion, I would highly recommend AFIT to anyone. However, if you decide to do accelerated training, you must be ready. It is hard work, and you shouldn’t show up until you have thoroughly studied the ground school portion needed for the oral exam.

This is because there is a lot to learn in the airplane, and if you spend too much time on ground school during the 10 days, you’ll find yourself in a situation like I did — putting in long days to get your hours. Also, be prepared to be pushed to your limits because IFR flying is very different from VFR flying. There is a lot to learn in a short, limited time.

My Thoughts on Eddie: Let me start by saying I don’t have enough good words for Eddie. From the moment we started to the day we wrapped up, there was never a doubt in my mind that he only wanted the best for me. Eddie is an experienced instructor with over 20,000 hours of flight time and 30+ years of instructing. He has flown professionally for both airlines and the private sector. He is, without a doubt, the most experienced and talented instructor I have ever worked with.

When we flew together, he did an amazing job teaching me at an appropriate pace. Many people told me accelerated programs feel like drinking from a fire hose, but with Eddie, I never felt that. Right from the start, he improved my aircraft control by teaching me to “fly by the numbers,” which was a huge help as I learned new skills.

For the first few days, he handled the radios so I could focus on flying. As he taught me how to fly approaches, he explained everything very clearly and precisely. Eddie pushed me to my limit while still making me feel comfortable. There were times when he was stern — but only to point out mistakes and help me remember not to repeat them. No matter how the day went, every evening when we got back to Van Nuys, he had a smile on his face and said, “That was a good flight,” even in the beginning when I wasn’t at my best.

Another thing Eddie excelled at was recognizing when I was feeling overwhelmed or fatigued. He would ease back on the instruction, suggest a lunch break, or even call it a day if needed. Twice, he noticed I was fading before I realized it myself.

Lastly, Eddie was excellent at correcting my mistakes and encouraging me when I did well. I almost don’t want to say too much about him because I hope to do my commercial license with him and want to keep him for myself. But if you get the chance to train with Eddie, there’s no doubt you’ll leave a much better pilot than when you arrived.

Noah Corson

Claremont, California

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

My flight training with AFIT was an amazing opportunity to complete my private pilot training knowledge and flying. I worked with Andrew in Hurricane, Utah. Andrew was a fantastic instructor who was vital in helping me feel prepared and ready to take my check ride. Without his help there is no way I would have felt as ready to take my check ride. Andrew really helped me take my flying and academics to a higher level. I am very happy that I was able to receive my PPL with AFIT, with the help of their instructors and Tony making sure I was taken care of.

Thanks,

Daniel Radford

Scottsdale, Arizona