Quality training, within reach
Let us be your Pillar. Get your wings at Pillar Flight Academy with top-tier training and a fleet that won't quit.
Laying the foundation for tomorrow's pilots.
Finish up program
How does it work?
Have your minimum checkride requirements
SHoW UP
Rest on us. Checkride in a week. Guaranteed.
Dedicated Students Only
About
our company
Pillar Flight Academy was born out of a real problem we kept seeing in aviation training. Over time, we worked with students arriving from flight schools across multiple states—schools that advertised accelerated programs, beautiful aircraft, and polished campuses, but too often left pilots overcharged, underprepared, and stuck in drawn-out training with their hours and savings drained.
These students consistently came to us for help getting finished properly, efficiently, and honestly. That experience became the foundation of our signature Finish-Up Program, and ultimately the mission of Pillar Flight Academy itself.
Based at Falcon Field (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, Pillar Flight Academy is built on safety, structure, and accountability. We prioritize clear instruction, high-quality aircraft, and real-world checkride readiness—not endless training cycles or unnecessary delays.
Whether you are beginning your Private Pilot journey or coming to us to finish strong, we move you forward with purpose, efficiency, and transparency. Through our strong relationships with local DPEs, we are able to secure a guaranteed checkride date at the end of training, eliminating the uncertainty and long wait times that delay so many students.
Course details
Take a look at what’s included.
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Our Finish-Up Program is designed for pilots who are checkride-ready in theory, but stuck in training in practice. If you have already completed most of your training elsewhere and feel like your hours are being dragged out, this program is built for you.
We bring you in, quickly assess your current skill level, and focus only on what you actually need to pass your checkride — no unnecessary flights, no delays, and no wasted time. Our goal is simple: get you finished efficiently, correctly, and with confidence.
In most cases, your checkride is scheduled on day one of training so you have a clear target from the start. And because we stand behind our training, our Finish-Up Program is backed by our Checkride Pass Guarantee — if you do not pass, we will cover your retest fee.
One week. In and out. (Specific timeline available for select Finish-Up Program tiers only.)
For full details, please visit our Finish-Up Program page.The program includes:
15 / 30 hours minimum, of Evaluation and Training (depending on tier chosen)
3 hours of Stage Check (Ground)
3 hours of Stage Check (Flight)
2 hours allocated for the practical test flight
The allotted six hours for the stage check (ground and flight) are designed to provide sufficient time to address and correct any deficiencies identified by the stage check instructor.
The FAA practical test fee ($1,500) is not included in the course price. Specific aircraft may be requested, but may result in additional costs.
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Our Private Pilot Course is a beginning-to-end, structured training program designed to take you from zero experience to confident, checkride-ready pilot. Based at Falcon Field (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, we combine clear ground instruction, modern aircraft, and efficient flight training to ensure steady progress without wasted time or unnecessary hours.
Ground training and preparation for the FAA Knowledge Test are completed through Sporty’s Online Ground School, giving you structured, self-paced academic instruction. In addition, the program includes 10 hours of one-on-one ground training, to reinforce key concepts, review weak areas, and ensure you are fully prepared for both the written exam and oral portion of the checkride.
The program includes:
52 hours of training flights
10 hours of dedicated ground instruction
3 hours of Stage Check (Ground)
3 hours of Stage Check (Flight)
2 hours allocated for the practical test flight
The allotted six hours for the stage check (ground and flight) are designed to provide sufficient time to address and correct any deficiencies identified by the stage check instructor.
The FAA practical test fee ($1,500) is not included in the course price. Specific aircraft may be requested, but may result in additional costs.
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Our Instrument Rating Course is a structured, proficiency-driven program designed to elevate your flying to the next level. This course transforms you from a VFR pilot into a precise, disciplined instrument pilot capable of operating safely and confidently in the National Airspace System under IFR.
The program includes:
50 hours of flight instruction
12 hours of dedicated ground instruction
3 hours of Stage Check (Ground)
3 hours of Stage Check (Flight)
2 hours allocated for the practical test flight
Throughout training, you will master instrument procedures, IFR cross-country planning, approach plates, holds, airspace structure, weather analysis, ATC communication, and systems management. We place strong emphasis on real-world decision-making, cockpit organization, and professional-level precision.
Our structured stage check ensures you are fully prepared before your checkride, allowing time to correct any deficiencies and demonstrate consistent proficiency.
The FAA practical test fee ($1,500) is not included in the course price. Specific aircraft may be requested, but may result in additional costs.
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Our Commercial Pilot Course is designed to refine your skills from private-level proficiency to professional-level precision. This program focuses on advanced aircraft control, technical accuracy, and the judgment required to operate to commercial standards.
Because every student enters commercial training with a different total time, cross-country experience, and instrument proficiency, pricing is customized based on your current flight hours and FAA eligibility.
Here are the minimum training requirements included in our base commercial package:
10 hours of dedicated ground instruction with a CFI
15 hours of advanced flight training (commercial maneuvers)
3 hours of Stage Check (Ground)
3 hours of Stage Check (Flight)
2 hours Checkride Flight
Additional hours required to meet FAA aeronautical experience requirements (Part 61) will be quoted based on your current logbook totals.
Training emphasizes mastery of commercial maneuvers such as chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, eights on pylons, power-off accuracy landings, and advanced aircraft control — all to ACS standards.
The FAA practical test fee ($1,500) is not included in the course price. Specific aircraft may be requested, but may result in additional costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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To get started at Pillar Flight Academy, you’ll need to meet a few basic requirements depending on your goals in aviation. Students must be at least 16 years old to begin flight training and 17 years old to earn a Private Pilot Certificate. You’ll also need to be a U.S. citizen or have valid documentation allowing you to train in the United States. Your medical requirements depend on your path: most students pursuing a Private Pilot Certificate will need at least a Third-Class FAA medical. If you’re aiming for an airline career, we recommend obtaining a First-Class medical early on.
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Just send us a message with your story, and a team member will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you choose the right training path. A $250 deposit secures your spot and officially begins your enrollment with Pillar Flight Academy.
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Our Finish-Up Program is designed for pilots who are checkride-ready in theory, but stuck in training in practice.
If you’ve already completed most of your training elsewhere and feel like your hours are being milked, this program is for you.
In this program, we bring you in, quickly assess your skill level, and focus only on what you actually need to pass your checkride — no unnecessary flights, no delays, no dragging things out. ONE week, in and out. -
Not to worry, we will guide you through every step in the process. You will feel confident going into your checkride.
We have excellent DPE availability. We offer a guaranteed checkride date right at the end of your training.
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We offer a guaranteed interview to all of our students, once they pass their CFI checkride.
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We are an accelerated program and while we try to make training fun and manageable, it's definitely not something you can take lightly.
let’s get started
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
