Training Programs
Whether you're chasing your first certificate or building toward a career, we'll meet you where you are.
Private Pilot Certificate — Your foundation. Learn to fly, navigate, and make good decisions in the air.
Instrument Rating — Fly with confidence in more conditions, and become a sharper, safer pilot in the process.
Commercial Pilot Certificate — Take the next step toward flying professionally.
How We Train
Every lesson at Westerly Aero follows a four-phase structure — deliberate, focused, and built around your progress.
Before You Fly
Every lesson starts on the ground, together. We review what you're working on, what success looks like, and what to expect before you ever touch the controls.
Ground School, Structured
The written test is a milestone, not a mystery. We use the Sporty's Pilot Training curriculum to bring order to the material, so you're building knowledge in the right sequence instead of drowning in a stack of books.
In the Air
You fly. Your instructor coaches. That's it. No distractions, no wasted time, just focused, purposeful training.
After You Fly
We spend 30 minutes with you after every flight, reviewing what went well, what needs work, and exactly what to study before your next lesson. You'll never leave wondering what's next.
Our Promise
We don't pad hours. We don't drag out training to protect a bottom line. Our job is to walk beside you until you're a safe, confident, certificated pilot, and to get you there as efficiently as good training allows.
We are not here just to swipe your card. We are on this journey together.
Common Questions
At Westerly Aero, students know what they are learning and why. Our structured approach combines Sporty’s ground school curriculum with hands-on flight instruction, so students can arrive prepared, understand the purpose of each lesson and make their time in the airplane count.
If yours isn't here, reach out — we're happy to talk through it.
I’ve never flown before. Where do I start?
We offer Discovery Flights in our Cessna 150, a two-seat training aircraft. Your experience begins on the ground with an introduction to the aircraft and the basics of flight. Then, once you’re in the air, you’ll have the opportunity to take the controls and experience what it’s like to fly.
Discovery Flights are $199 and include approximately 30 minutes of flight time.
Because of the weight limitations of the Cessna 150, Discovery Flight participants must weigh 200 lbs. or less.
It’s a great way to experience flight firsthand and decide if learning to fly is something you’d like to pursue.
How long does it take to earn a Private Pilot Certificate?
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time to earn a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61, but 40 hours is a minimum, not a guarantee.
At Westerly Aero, we recommend planning for at least 50 hours of flight training, with additional time as needed to safely and confidently master the required skills. Every student learns at a different pace, and how often you fly can have a significant impact on your progress. Students who train consistently often retain skills more effectively and require less review between lessons.
Success also isn't measured only by time in the aircraft. Ground school, preparation before each lesson, studying between flights, and understanding what you are expected to accomplish before you arrive can all help make your flight time more productive.
We'll work with you to create a training plan that sets you up for success, but we won't rush training simply to meet a certain number of hours. The goal isn't to get you finished as quickly as possible. It's to make sure you're prepared to be a safe, confident and capable pilot.
What does training cost?
Your total investment depends on the number of hours you need to reach proficiency, aircraft and instructor time, ground instruction, ground school, FAA testing, your medical examination, checkride costs and training materials.
The FAA minimum flight-time requirement should not be viewed as a guaranteed training budget. We believe students should understand the realistic costs of training before they begin. The range can be between $13,000 and $18,000.
What happens after the checkride?
You walk out with your Private Pilot Certificate. From there, you can pursue an Instrument Rating, a Commercial Certificate, or simply enjoy flying. We'll be here for whichever path you choose — including the Instrument and Commercial programs we offer at Westerly Aero.
Thank you! We'll be in touch shortly to confirm your discovery flight.
Ready to See What Flying Feels Like?
Your first discovery flight is the beginning of the journey. We'll walk you through everything — what to expect, what it feels like, and what comes next.