Trade Winds Aviation Flight Training Programs
Listed below are summaries for the Flight Training Programs offered by Trade Winds Aviation in the greater San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area. Please click on any Flight Training title to view additional details such as cost and requirements.
Introduction Flight
Experience first hand the thrill of flying by taking an introductory flight lesson. This flight is the actual 'first lesson' from the Private Pilot syllabus. With the help of a Certified Flight Instructor, you will actually take the controls and fly the aircraft - performing climbs, turns, and descents!
Introductory flight lessons are only $129 for a Cessna Skyhawk (172P) or Piper Archer II, or $159 for a newer model Cessna Skyhawk (172S). Introductory flights make terrific gifts for friends or family interested in flying.
Private Pilot Certificate
The Private Pilot Certificate is the foundation to all of your future flying. This certificate will allow you to fly anywhere in the United States in a single engine airplane under visual flight conditions (VMC) with your friends and family as passengers.
Using the exclusive Cessna Computer Based Interactive CD-Rom training syllabus, your training is broken down into easy to follow steps through three phases of training - presolo, cross-country, and test preparation.
Instrument Rating
The Instrument Rating opens the door to the world of IMC - Instrument Meteorogical Conditions - or 'flying in the clouds'. The biggest step to becoming a professional pilot, the Instrument Rating will hone your flying skills to a new level while teaching you advanced navigation techniques that allow you to fly anywhere in the country in many types of weather conditions. Using the exclusive Cessna Computer Based Interactive CD-Rom flight training syllabus, your Instrument Rating is broken down in easy to follow steps. Each step is previewed by in flight video showing you instrument procedures in actual conditions.
Commercial Pilot Certificate
The Commercial Pilot Certificate is the 'professional flying career' certificate allowing you to be compensated as a pilot. During your course you will learn about the privileges and limitations you have as a Commercial Pilot, and receive in depth training in the systems and operation of your aircraft. You will learn to operate your aircraft to its maximum capabilities in high performance maneuvers and achieve a new level of mastery and safety. Using the exclusive Cessna Computer Based Interactive CD-Rom training syllabus, your Commercial training is broken down in easy to follow steps previewed by actual in flight video.
Multi Engine Rating
The Multi Engine Certificate allows you to fly any airplane (under 12,500 lbs) with more then one engine. Due to the complexity of the equipment, this certificate calls for a higher degree of skill than flying a single engine aircraft. Serious emphasis will be placed on single engine aerodynamics, single engine out operations and emergency procedures, and the performance and limitations of the airplane. This certificate can be extremely rewarding as it allows you to fly farther and faster then before.
Certified Flight Instructor Certificate
When you've reached this stage in your flight training you've already learned everything you need to know as to be a successful pilot - now it is time to take the next step! During the Certified Flight Instructor Course you will learn how to pass that aviation knowledge and skills on to others. You will learn in detail the FAA airman certification process, the basic fundamentals of instruction, and how to prepare and execute both ground and flight lessons. Additionally, you will learn how to fly and, most importantly, how to teach from the RIGHT seat of the airplane. As a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), you can experience a rewarding career as a professional instructor.
Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument Certificate
The Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) adds instrument instruction privileges to your current flight instructor certificate. During the Instrument Instructor Course, you will learn to fly and teach the instrument rating course from the right hand seat in the aircraft. The success of this course is largely dependent on your current instrument proficiency and your ability to teach in this advanced environment.
Certified Flight Instructor - Multi Engine
The Multi Engine Instructor Certificate adds multi-engine privileges to your current Certified Flight Instructor Certificate. This add-on can be accomplished with or without instrument instructor privileges. However it is most common to add this rating onto a CFII. Like the CFI and CFII there are no flight time requirements outside the 3 hours test preparation. The success of this course is largely dependent on your current multi-engine aircraft knowledge, flight proficiency, and your ability to teach in a sophisticated and complex aircraft.
Accelerated Programs
Trade Winds Aviation understands that deciding to obtain a certificate or rating is a substantial commitment of both time, effort, and money. Our customers are successful individuals with many responsibilities and commitments. Therefore, we strive to tailor each course to meet each student's individual needs. For some students that means committing a certain period of time solely to flight training. Being able to focus your time and energy on your flying goal will enhance your retention of the material and enable you to complete your certificate in a much shorter period of time. Accelerated training is available for portions of or entire ratings. Many students elect to take one or two weeks of vacation to fly every day and quickly advanced their progress toward achieving a new certificate.
Pinch Hitter
The Pinch-Hitter course is designed to enhance the confidence and experience of non-pilots while equipping them with the skills to take over in case of an emergency. This training can be completed in as little as one day! By teaching the basic principles of flying (straight and level, climbs, turns, descents), simple landing techniques, basic navigation, and fundamental radio skills, a non-pilot can learn how to safely return to an airport or off-field landing site in case of pilot incapacitation.
WINGS PROGRAM - Pilot Proficiency Award Program
The Pilot Proficiency Award Program otherwise known as the WINGS program is described by the FAA in advisory Circular 61-91H. Trade Winds Aviation, the FAA, and conscientious pilots recognize that although a pilot that might meet the recency of experience requirements as set forth by the FAR's this does not necessarily mean that they are proficient and safe. The WINGS program is designed to go "above and beyond" an ordinary Flight Review to ensure you are operating at your "peak performance."
