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Flight Training & Pilot Services

Aircraft Rental

Flight Instruction

  • Have you always wanted to become a pilot?

    What is a Discovery Flight?

    A Discovery Flight is similar to the first lesson of a Private Pilot License. It’s NOT just an airplane ride. The Discovery Flight is separated into three parts:

    1. Preflight Briefing: Meet your instructor and the aircraft. Your instructor will explain exactly what you will be doing before, during, and after the flight lesson.

    2. The FUN part! Let’s Go Flying! From the pilot’s seat, you will taxi the aircraft to the runway. Once preflight checks are complete, it’s time to take off and “slip the surly bonds.” In the air, you will do most of the flying—learning how to turn, climb, descend, and adjust speed. You will be surprised how easy it truly is. You can fly over local landmarks or maybe even your house before coming back to the airport for landing.

    3. Post-flight Debriefing: You will be guided to land and taxi the aircraft to begin the shutdown process, along with a debriefing by your instructor. Your instructor will tell you how you performed, answer any questions you may have, and let you know how to get started as a student pilot!

    Discovery Flights make great gifts for Birthdays, Anniversaries & Christmas or just because. Gift Certificates are also available!

    The cost of a Discovery Flight is just $120.00!

    Call 618-443-5321 for more info and to reserve your flight time!

  • Primary instruction:

    Book one of our seasoned instructors for Private Pilot, Recreational Pilot, Sport Pilot training or Flight Reviews in one of our aircraft.

    $60 Per Hour.

    Advanced Instruction:

    Instrument, Commercial, Tailwheel, or Basic Aerobatic training. Price also reflects instruction in customer owned aircraft.

    $70 Per Hour

  • Existing Users: Log in to Flight Circle now!

    New Users: Call or Email us for access.

Other Resources

Contract Pilots

  • Our staff of professional pilots are experienced and trained in multiple makes and models. We have provided services in airframes such as Mooney, Cirrus, TBM, Beech Baron, Twin Cessnas, Piper Twins, King Airs, CJ series Jets, and Citation Excels.

    Call 618-443-5321 to discuss availability and cost.

  • Need a certain number of hours in your new aircraft to satisfy insurance? Or maybe you’re looking for an EXPERIENCED safety pilot while you maintain IFR currency… We have experience in everything from experimental tailwheels to jets, and can help you build the confidence and proficiency in your aircraft!

  • Need your airplane moved? Just made a purchase and wondering how you’ll get your new bird home? We can help. Our pilots are easily approved by most insurance policies, as we have experience in dozens of airframes- Everything from a Piper Cub to corporate jets. Tailwheels to turbines, we’re happy to go flying!

    Give us a call at 618-443-5321 to discuss options and cost.

Flight Training FAQs

I don’t know anything about aviation. How can I get started?

Every one of us was a total beginner at one point or another. The best way to get started with aviation is to come visit the airport for a Discovery Flight. For only $120 you’ll get to fly your very own airplane with an instructor for 30 minutes. You’ll also be able to ask any questions you may have. It’s a must for anyone with a sense of adventure!

I took my Discovery Flight and I loved it! How can I keep flying?

Time to start training! Let your instructor know that you’d like to train and we will put you on the schedule. We will give you study materials to look over between your Discovery Flight and first official lesson. Come back and take lessons whenever you’d like! We recommend at least three flights per week in order to maintain proficiency with the required maneuvers and procedures.

What paperwork do I need to bring in order to start training?

The FAA requires that all student pilots prove their US Citizenship with either a valid, unexpired passport or a driver’s license in conjunction with a birth certificate. Your instructor will guide you through all other FAA paperwork as needed.

How old do I need to be?

There is no minimum age at which you can start training! However, in order to fly solo, you need to be at least 16 years old. In order to be eligible for a Private Pilot Certificate you must be at least 17 years old.

Can you give me a basic outline of what the training process looks like?

There are two principle parts to training: flight training, and ground training. The former is done in the airplane, while the latter is done on the ground. There is a good bit of scientific theory to learn, as well as flight rules, procedures, and aircraft systems. Usually students elect to complete ground training at home, though ground training will often happen with your CFI if your flight cannot go for one reason or another. As for flight training, you will learn the basics of controlling the airplane, a series of flight maneuvers, emergency protocols, takeoffs and landings, and of course cross-country flying. You will fly at least 10 hours solo before being eligible for your Private Pilot Certificate.

How much does it cost?

We recommend taking advantage of our Private Pilot Package which includes 50 hours of aircraft rental, 55 hours of instruction, and a flight bag with a headset and study materials available for $12,500. We’ve had a good success rate with students finishing their training easily within the time allotted by this package, though if needed additional flight time and instruction may be purchased for our hourly rates.

Our Services

Flight Training

Sparta Aero Services is a ‘Part 61’ Flight School, which allows us the flexibility to flight instruct on an individual basis. We can teach YOU. We can teach your children. We can even teach your Grandmother! The Sparta Aero team takes pride in sharing the opportunity of flight to all that are interested. Our staff of CFIs are a group of highly qualified instructors ready to prep you for your first solo, your private pilot license, or lead you on a path to achieve advanced certifications such as an Instrument rating, Commercial license, CFI rating and ATP licenses. Our diverse background is a benefit to you and your next flying milestone.

Discovery Flights

For those that want a taste of what it’s like to fly an airplane, A Discovery Flight satisfies that hunger! Imagine climbing into a ‘magical’ flying machine with a licensed instructor who will talk you through the procedures to get airborne, and as a bonus, how to SAFELY get back on terra firma! A Discovery flight is a fantastic way to introduce a friend or family member to a flight. It makes a great gift, too.

Pilot Services

We offer a range of pilot services including contract pilots, aircraft management, and ferry pilot services for numerous makes & models. Just call and ask for more details.

Rental Aircraft

Our fleet of aircraft at Sparta Aero is comprised of well-equipped and meticulously maintained Piper Archers. They are available for instruction or rental.

CFI Services

If you’re in need of a flight review, instrument proficiency check, tailwheel endorsement, insurance-required training, or just to knock the rust off, we have the experience, knowledge and gusto to make it happen! We will ensure that you have the necessary support to stay current and confident in your flying abilities. You can rent one of our aircraft, or we’re happy to accommodate you in yours.

Sparta Aero Promise

At Sparta Aero, we are committed to delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring your expectations are met, if not exceeded.

“High Flight”

A POEM BY JOHN GILLESPIE MAGEE JR.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air...

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark nor ever eagle flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Magee, John Gillespie. "Letter to Parents," September 3, 1941. John Magee Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Manuscript. In Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations Requested from the Congressional Research Service, ed. Suzy Platt (Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1989): 117-18.