My Philosophy

I aim to provide practical, straightforward flight training that emphasizes real-world decision-making with a focus on risk mitigation. You’ll learn the rules and regulations. More so, you’ll learn how to approach flight with an active mindset ready to handle the task at hand.

Learn more
 

  • If you’re new to aviation and want your Private Pilot Certificate, give me a call and I’ll explain the whole process. In the meantime, read the Student Pilot Starter Kit I’ve crafted for you.

  • FAA regulations dictate a minimum of 40hours flight time to earn your Private Pilot License. National average to finish is around 75hours. Your commitment to your training will determine how you stack up. I strongly encourage a minimum 2 flight lessons per week and twice that time in ground study.

  • I am a firm believer in Scenario-Based Training. Your first 10-15 hours will be spent learning the airplane and how it operates, getting you to your first solo. After that, you will receive scenarios before each lesson that require you to perform some pre-flight homework, much like you would do before any flight after you receive your license. In-flight we will execute the plan and continue working on the maneuvers and proficiency’s that are required for your training. At the end of each flight we will have a thorough debrief and you’ll have actionable items to come to your next lesson ready for another challenge.

    Take a look at lesson 1 Here.

    View the Pre-Flight Briefing Guide’s You’ll be Given Here.

Student Pilot Starter Kit
Example Lesson Plan
Briefing Guide

Standard Hourly Rates

Aircraft Rental (Wet)

$190/hr

Flight Instruction

$70/hr
Full Rates and Blocks
  • Small airplane flying over a rural landscape with a river, trees, and fields during sunset.

    Private Pilot

    Get your certification without breaking the bank

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  • View from an airplane window above clouds, showing part of the airplane wing and support strut against a blue sky.

    Instrument Rating

    Stay Safe When Inclement Weather Arrives

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  • An empty, cracked parking lot surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.

    Rusty Pilots & BFR's

    Gain Back Your Proficiency And Feel Some Fresh Air

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  • Two female pilots in the cockpit of small aircraft, both wearing headsets and looking forward at the controls and the sky through the windshield.

    CO-Pilot Training

    Frequent Passenger? Learn The Basic, Stay In Control

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  • Michael is an awesome flight instructor. He always puts safety first and makes sure you really understand what you are doing. He explains things clearly and helps you build good flying skills step by step. He's also super friendly and easy to talk to which makes learning fun. I'd recommend him to anyone who wants a great, safety-focused instructor.

    Eugene Sherstyukov- PPL

  • Michael is a very knowledgeable and good teacher. He excelled at teaching the ACS and the textbook, as well as real world flying scenarios - I felt well prepared not just for my checkride but also to continue growing as a pilot after passing. I wouldn't hesitate to return for further ratings and endorsements.

    Colby Green - PPL

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What a day for Maine pilots! ☀️ Keep those skills sharp for the spring/summer season ahead! #mainelife #tailwheel #ppl #mainepilots
Winter throwback to ski plane flying in the Maul. Awesome day getting the owner checked out for his insurance minimums. This loop out around Mt Katahdin is pretty impressive and hard to beat lunch at Libby Camps! #mainepilots #maineaviation #tailwheel #klew
Take me back to Sunday’s with the girl on a trip to Acadia! Are you kidding me? KBHB hooked us up with a courtesy car and coffee, the park was in full swing winter wonderland, and the burger in Bar Harbor was spot on. Not a difficult thing to accomplish if you’re craving the adventure!
Cruising Casco Bay with the girlfriend might be hard to top come Valentine’s Day! Better start thinking about our next date flight soon! 🌊✈️🌲💘
Cruising Casco Bay with the girlfriend might be hard to top come Valentine’s Day! Better start thinking about our next date flight soon! 🌊✈️🌲💘
Sunset Tailwheel lessons never get old! #mainepilots #tailwheel
Sunset Tailwheel lessons never get old! #mainepilots #tailwheel
Winter holds some of the best days for flying! If you’ve thought about enjoying the freedoms of flight let this be just a taste of what’s in store. At Tailfin we train the general aviation pilot to fly safe and have fun doing it! There’s so much that Maine and New England has to offer pilots for both recreation and business. Get your journey started while the weather lasts! #mainepilots #maineaviation #icerunway #privatepilot
With Alton Bay expected to open up this week, would be a good time to review those procedures! Ground School continues this week on Thursday night! Come join a discussion on performance and limitations. Learn how to decode your POH, calculate pressu
With Alton Bay expected to open up this week, would be a good time to review those procedures! Ground School continues this week on Thursday night! Come join a discussion on performance and limitations. Learn how to decode your POH, calculate pressure and density altitude, and understand the techniques required to reach maximum performance for when you need it! A great opportunity for aspiring pilots to learn from a CFI and to meet other pilots looking to brush up on their knowledge as well. These classes hold value for everyone who call the skies their playground. #maineaviation #mainepilots #altonbayicerunway #klew
Spread the word! We’re throwing a party! Really we’re kicking off Thursday night ground school and would love to see you there. This week we’re talking winter weather and how to keep you safe and your plane in working order. Meet yo
Spread the word! We’re throwing a party! Really we’re kicking off Thursday night ground school and would love to see you there. This week we’re talking winter weather and how to keep you safe and your plane in working order. Meet your fellow local pilots, expand your knowledge, and take safety into your own hands. Big things coming for Auburn Maine!
What a day for Maine pilots! ☀️ Keep those skills sharp for the spring/summer season ahead! #mainelife #tailwheel #ppl #mainepilots
Winter throwback to ski plane flying in the Maul. Awesome day getting the owner checked out for his insurance minimums. This loop out around Mt Katahdin is pretty impressive and hard to beat lunch at Libby Camps! #mainepilots #maineaviation #tailwhee
Take me back to Sunday’s with the girl on a trip to Acadia! Are you kidding me? KBHB hooked us up with a courtesy car and coffee, the park was in full swing winter wonderland, and the burger in Bar Harbor was spot on. Not a difficult thing to a
Cruising Casco Bay with the girlfriend might be hard to top come Valentine’s Day! Better start thinking about our next date flight soon! 🌊✈️🌲💘 Sunset Tailwheel lessons never get old! #mainepilots #tailwheel
Winter holds some of the best days for flying! If you’ve thought about enjoying the freedoms of flight let this be just a taste of what’s in store. At Tailfin we train the general aviation pilot to fly safe and have fun doing it! There&rs
With Alton Bay expected to open up this week, would be a good time to review those procedures! Ground School continues this week on Thursday night! Come join a discussion on performance and limitations. Learn how to decode your POH, calculate pressu
Spread the word! We’re throwing a party! Really we’re kicking off Thursday night ground school and would love to see you there. This week we’re talking winter weather and how to keep you safe and your plane in working order. Meet yo

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