Learn to fly in Louisville.

The two anchor numbers: flight and ground instruction with me runs $45 per hour, and a discovery flight is instructor time at that same rate plus the aircraft — I'll quote you the exact total before you book. Beyond that, every student's path is different — aircraft rental, examiner fees, and ground materials all add up differently depending on your pace and goals. Reach out by phone or email and I'll put together a clear, honest estimate for your specific training plan.

A discovery flight is a first lesson, not a ride-along: about an hour in the airplane plus 30–40 minutes of briefing and debrief on the ground, so budget about two hours at Bowman Field. Once we're clear of the traffic pattern, you fly — straight-and-level, climbs, descents, and turns — while I handle the takeoff and landing and keep my hands near the controls. There's no commitment to continue; if you're hooked, the hour already counts toward a future certificate.

For Private Pilot you'll need either an FAA Third-Class Medical or BasicMed (once you've held any class of FAA medical at least once since July 2006). Sport Pilot requires only a valid U.S. driver's license. I can recommend an AME in the Louisville area and walk you through the MedXPress form before your visit.

The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours, but the national average is closer to 60–70 hours. Most students complete the Private in 6–12 months flying twice a week. Consistency matters more than intensity — two lessons a week beats one every other week every time.

Flight training happens at Bowman Field (KLOU) in Louisville — a towered, Class D airport that's calm enough for a first lesson but busy enough to teach real radio work, with Louisville's Class C airspace right next door once you're ready for it. Ground instruction can also happen one-on-one over video, wherever you are.