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Fort
Lewis Flying Activity
The
Fort Lewis Army Flying Activity will close its doors 15 September
2007. In an effort to retain all members to the final date,
dues will cease as of 30 June 2007. To encourage those of
you who are in the various programs to finish as quickly as
possible, the rates on the airplanes are being reduced as
follows: Cessna 152: $60; Cessna 172: $80; Cessna 182: $95;
instruction: $30. For those of you who have airplanes with
PPR to land at Gray AAF, our fuel will be sold at cost $3.083
per gallon. Your patronage has been greatly appreciated and
it is a sad that the Flying Club must close after 47 years
of service to Fort Lewis.
Stop Dreaming.... Start Flying! The
Fort Lewis Army Flying Activity is open to membership for
all active duty military, retirees, reserves, national guard,
DOD APF/NAF civilian employees, and family. The Flying Club
operates the finest maintained aircraft in the Northwest.
Flight training is provided from the private pilot ratings
to the airline transport pilot. If your dream has always been
to fly, call (253) 967-4683 for an appointment as the staff
may be out serving other customers.
What does the Private Pilot Course consist of?
Becoming
a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed pilot requires
a minimum of 40 hours of flight training; 20 with an Instructor
Pilot, and 20 hours of solo flight. It is important to remember
those are the minimum times....the national average is 70
hours; however our students average 50 hours before getting
their FAA Private Pilot License. This does not include the
ground school required to pass the FAA written test, that
takes about 30 hours of classroom or individual study.
How
long does the course take?
This
is the one aspect of the training that really depends on your
schedule and commitment. Our FAA approved curriculum is designed
to allow you to get your FAA license in minimum time, while
ensuring you get all the training you need to safely operate
an airplane in today's complex air traffic environment. If
you can manage time for three flights a week, it will take
about two months to finish the flight training.
Is
an Army flight school really better?
We
think so! Our curriculum is designed to maximize your learning
and ensure you are ready for each phase of training. This
logical progression helps ensure you retain what you've learned
and don't have to repeat lessons. Additionally, the Federal
Aviation Administration regularly inspects our instructors
and maintenance staff to ensure the highest standards of training.
All of this is designed to ensure your safety and success.
Who
will teach me?
All
of our FAA Certificated Instructor Pilots are highly experienced.
Initially, we will assign an instructor to you. However, if
for any reason you are either not satisfied with the instruction
received, or you just don't "hit it off", we will
pair you with another instructor.
Is
it safe?
General
aviation is statistically safer than most forms of travel
and the US Army Flight Training Centers are significantly
safer than those of civil aviation as a whole. We have extensive
safety programs for your benefit and are happy to share our
safety record with you.
Do
I need special insurance?
Excellent
question! You can get special insurance through several commercial
carriers, but we offer you an insurance package free as part
of your member benefits. Be sure to let us explain, in detail,
our coverage and you will see what an important benefit this
is for your financial security.
How
is this Flight Training Center different than a typical Commercial
Flight School?
In
addition to the safety programs we've already mentioned, the
major difference is that you become a member of Aero Club.
Your membership allows you discounts on pilot supplies, reduced
flight rates, no state taxes and free insurance coverage…not
to mention the social activities. Additionally, the US Army
oversight program is more comprehensive than that of a commercial
Part 141 flight school, again all designed to ensure your
safety and success.
How
much does it cost?
This
depends on how long it takes you to complete the course, what
aircraft you decide to use for your training, and the optional
supply items you decide to purchase. The manager is available
any time during business hours to go over the costs in detail,
but here is a basic breakout based on 50 hours of flight time:
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