Start with a Discovery Flight to make sure flying is for you. Then meet with a CFI to outline your goals, schedule regular lessons (twice a week is ideal), complete the FAA written exam, log your required flight hours, pass an oral and practical checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner, and you're a certificated pilot. KCPT Flyers walks you through every step.

You must be at least 16 to fly solo and 17 to earn a Private Pilot Certificate. You'll need to read, speak, and understand English. A 3rd-class FAA medical certificate (or BasicMed) is required before solo flight. No prior experience needed — we start from zero.

You can begin training at any age — even children can take introductory flights. The minimum age to solo is 16; to earn a Private Pilot license is 17. There is no maximum age; we have happily trained students well into their 70s.

Yes, to solo and earn a certificate you need an FAA 3rd-class medical from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) — typically $100–$175. Sport Pilot only requires a valid driver's license. BasicMed is also an option after your first 3rd-class medical.

Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, High-Performance and Complex endorsements, tailwheel training (on request), and accelerated full-time programs. We also offer biennial flight reviews (BFRs) and IFR currency.

Sport Pilot (light aircraft, daytime VFR), Recreational Pilot (limited range), Private Pilot (most common, flies anywhere VFR), Instrument Rating (flies in clouds and weather), Commercial Pilot (flies for compensation), and Airline Transport Pilot (airline captain). Most pilots stop at Private; many add Instrument.

A Private Pilot certificate typically runs $9,000–$13,000 depending on aircraft and pace. See our detailed breakdown on the Estimated Course Costs page.

Part-time students (1–2 lessons per week) typically complete a PPL in 6–12 months. Accelerated full-time students often finish in 4–6 weeks. The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours; national average is 60–75.

Absolutely. Many pilots wear corrective lenses. As long as your vision is correctable to 20/40 (near and distant), you qualify for a 3rd-class medical.

Yes — and it's the best way to see if flying is for you. A Discovery Flight includes a pre-flight briefing, hands-on flying time at the controls with a CFI, and a debrief. Great gift and a great first step.

Yes. Our CFIs can train you in your own aircraft. Contact us to discuss instructor rates and aircraft requirements.

Most primary students train in our Cessna 172C or one of our two Piper Warriors. The Cessna is forgiving and high-wing; the Warrior is low-wing with a more modern panel. For advanced training, our Beech Debonair offers high-performance and complex experience.

Yes. Our Piper Warrior N8786C is IFR-equipped. The Beech Debonair N661V also supports instrument flight with a Garmin G5 and 796.

Yes. KCPT (Cleburne Regional) has tie-down and hangar space. Contact the airport or DJS Aviation for current availability.

Yes. Renters must complete our checkout process — see our Rental Rules page for details on insurance, currency, and aircraft-specific requirements.

We're at Cleburne Regional Airport (KCPT), 1650 Airport Drive, Hangar 900, Cleburne, TX 76033. We're convenient to Fort Worth, Burleson, Granbury, Joshua, and the southwest DFW Metroplex.