Discovery Flight

A Discovery Flight is the perfect first step toward becoming a pilot. Whether you've always dreamed of flying or simply want to experience what it's like to be at the controls of an airplane, this is where your journey begins.

For $200, you'll receive a hands-on introduction to flight with one of our experienced Certified Flight Instructors.

What's Included?

• Pre-flight briefing to introduce you to the aircraft and the fundamentals of flight
• 1 hour of flight time in one of our training aircraft
• Hands-on flying experience—yes, you'll take the controls on your very first flight!
• Post-flight debrief to answer your questions and discuss the next steps toward earning your pilot certificate

Even better, your Discovery Flight counts as loggable flight training and can be applied toward your Private Pilot Certificate if you decide to continue your training.

Price

$200

Ready to take the first step? Scroll to the bottom of the page and send us a message to schedule your Discovery Flight. We look forward to welcoming you to the Lively Aviation family!

Private Pilot Certificate

The Private Pilot Certificate is the first major milestone in your journey to becoming a pilot. While the FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours, the national average is approximately 74 hours before earning a Private Pilot Certificate.

FAA Minimum Requirements

• 40 total flight hours
• 10 hours of solo flight time, including:5 hours of solo cross-country flightOne solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance
• 3 hours of night flight training, including:One night cross-country flight of at least 100 nautical miles10 full-stop takeoffs and landings at night
• 3 hours of instrument (simulated) flight training
• 3 takeoffs and landings at a towered airport
• 3 hours of flight training within the 2 calendar months preceding your practical test (checkride)

How Long Does It Take?

We recommend flying 3 times per week to maintain proficiency and complete your Private Pilot training in approximately 4–6 months, often sooner.

Keep in mind that every student's timeline is different. Factors such as weather, aircraft maintenance, scheduling, and life's unexpected events can impact your progress. Some students finish below the national average, while others take longer. Your success ultimately depends on your consistency, commitment, and dedication to training.

Estimated Investment

$14,000–$16,000

This estimate includes the typical cost of aircraft rental, flight instruction, and the training required to complete your Private Pilot Certificate. Actual costs may vary based on individual progress and proficiency.

Instrument Rating

The Instrument Rating is typically the next step after earning your Private Pilot Certificate. This rating allows you to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), where visibility may be limited and navigation relies primarily on your aircraft's instruments rather than outside visual references.

Beyond increasing safety and confidence, an Instrument Rating opens the door to flying in a wider range of weather conditions, expanding your travel capabilities and making you a more skilled and proficient pilot.

FAA Requirements

To earn your Instrument Rating, you'll need to complete:

• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight time
• 50 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) cross-country flight time
• One 250-nautical-mile IFR cross-country flight with an authorized instructor that includes:An instrument approach at each airportThree different types of instrument approaches
• 3 hours of instrument training within the 2 calendar months preceding your practical test (checkride)

What to Expect

Instrument training is one of the most rewarding phases of flight training, but it is also one of the most demanding. You'll develop advanced aircraft control skills, learn to navigate the National Airspace System under instrument flight rules, communicate extensively with Air Traffic Control, and master instrument procedures that professional pilots use every day.

At Lively Aviation, we've built our training program to efficiently help students accumulate both the required cross-country and instrument flight experience. Whenever weather conditions and safety permit, we actively seek opportunities to provide training in actual IMC. While true instrument weather isn't always common in Texas, you'll gain valuable real-world experience whenever those conditions are available.

Training Timeline

We recommend flying at least three times per week to maintain proficiency and complete your Instrument Rating in approximately 4–6 months.

Estimated Investment

$13,000–$16,000

Actual costs may vary depending on your experience, proficiency, and the amount of training required to meet FAA standards.

Commercial Pilot Certificate

The Commercial Pilot Certificate is the next major milestone in your flight training and is the certificate that allows you to be compensated for flying. Once you have accumulated the required flight experience and demonstrated the necessary knowledge and proficiency, you'll be eligible to take the Commercial Pilot practical test (checkride).

Under Part 61, you'll need a minimum of 250 total flight hours before qualifying for the checkride.

FAA Requirements

To earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate, you'll need:

• 250 total flight hours
• 100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time
• 50 hours of cross-country flight time
• 10 hours of instrument training
• 10 hours of Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) training
• One 2-hour daytime cross-country flight with an instructor, covering a straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the departure airport
• One 2-hour nighttime cross-country flight with an instructor, covering a straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the departure airport
• One 300-nautical-mile solo (or performing the duties of PIC) cross-country flight with landings at three airports, including one leg of at least 250 nautical miles straight-line distance
• 5 hours of night VFR flight, including 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower

What to Expect

Commercial training focuses on developing precision, consistency, and professionalism. You'll refine your aircraft control, master advanced maneuvers to commercial standards, and build the confidence and judgment expected of professional pilots.

At Lively Aviation, we have the aircraft and instructors needed to complete all Commercial Pilot requirements, including the required 10 hours of Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) training in one of our appropriately equipped Piper Warriors.

Training Timeline

The time required to complete your Commercial Certificate depends largely on how many flight hours you have when you begin training. Most students complete the required training over several months while building the experience needed to reach 250 total flight hours.

Estimated Investment

$25,000–$40,000

Actual costs vary based on your current flight experience, proficiency, and the number of hours required to meet FAA requirements and Commercial Pilot standards.

Multi-Engine Add-On

The Multi-Engine Rating is an exciting step in your aviation journey and opens the door to flying larger, faster, and more capable aircraft. Unlike previous certificates, there is no minimum flight hour requirement to add a Multi-Engine Rating to an existing pilot certificate. Training is competency-based and focused on safely operating a twin-engine aircraft.

Whether you're pursuing a career in aviation or simply want to expand your skills, a Multi-Engine Rating is a valuable investment in your future.

What You'll Learn

During your training, you'll develop the knowledge and skills required to safely operate a multi-engine airplane, including:

• Multi-engine aircraft systems
• Normal, short-field, and soft-field operations
• Engine-out procedures and emergency operations
• Single-engine performance and limitations
• Vmc (Minimum Controllable Airspeed) demonstrations
• Feathering and securing an inoperative engine
• Single-engine approaches and landings
• Weight and balance and performance calculations
• Advanced aircraft management and decision-making

What to Expect

Multi-engine training is fast-paced and highly rewarding. Because the aircraft is more complex and operates at higher speeds, you'll quickly build confidence while learning procedures used by professional pilots every day.

At Lively Aviation, training is conducted in our Beechcraft Travel Air, giving students valuable experience in a classic light twin with conventional piston engines and retractable landing gear. Our instructors focus on building real-world proficiency—not simply preparing you to pass the checkride.

Most pilots complete their Multi-Engine Add-On in 7–10 flight hours, depending on their experience and proficiency.

Training Timeline

Many students complete their Multi-Engine Rating in 3–7 days when training full-time, or over several weeks when training around their schedule.

Estimated Investment

$4,750

Our Multi-Engine package includes:

• Up to 10 hours of multi-engine flight training
• Ground instruction
• Checkride preparation
• Personalized instruction from experienced multi-engine instructors

FAA examiner fees are not included.

CFI Academy

Lively Aviation's CFI Academy, located at Cleburne Regional Airport, is a structured, accelerated program designed to prepare aspiring instructors to become confident, knowledgeable, and professional Certified Flight Instructors.

Unlike traditional training programs that often rely on lengthy, inefficient ground school sessions, our academy delivers a focused curriculum built around FAA standards and real-world teaching techniques. Every lesson is intentional, ensuring your time is spent mastering the knowledge, instructional methods, and practical skills needed to succeed—not simply accumulating classroom hours.

Our goal is to produce flight instructors who are fully prepared to pass their checkride and begin teaching the next generation of pilots with confidence and professionalism.

Program Investment

$8,500

The program provides a clearly defined path to earning your Certified Flight Instructor certificate through a proven, efficient training system led by experienced instructors committed to your success.

Flight Reviews & Instrument Proficiency Checks (IPC)

Whether you're due for a Flight Review or need an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC), Lively Aviation can help you get back in the cockpit with confidence.

The FAA requires a minimum of one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight training for a Flight Review. At Lively Aviation, we use these minimums as a starting point while tailoring the training to your individual experience, proficiency, and goals. Depending on your recent flight experience, additional training may be recommended to ensure you meet FAA standards and feel comfortable operating safely.

We also offer Flight Reviews and IPCs in your own aircraft, allowing you to regain proficiency in the airplane you fly most often.

Pricing

Flight Instruction: $75/hour

Aircraft rental, if needed, is billed separately.

Pilot Services

Need an experienced pilot or flight instructor to accompany you? Lively Aviation offers professional pilot services for aircraft owners, buyers, and insurance requirements throughout Texas and beyond.

Whether you're purchasing a new aircraft, relocating an airplane, completing an insurance checkout, or simply want the confidence of an experienced instructor by your side, our team is here to help.

Services Include

• Aircraft ferry flights
• Aircraft pickup after purchase
• Insurance checkout flights
• Aircraft familiarization and transition training
• Safety pilot and instructional support

Aircraft Experience

Our instructors and pilots have experience in a wide variety of aircraft, including:

Piper

• PA-24-180 Comanche
• PA-28-140 Cherokee
• PA-28-151 Warrior
• PA-28-161 Warrior
• PA-28R-200 Arrow
• PA-28-201T Dakota
• PA-32-260 Cherokee Six

Cessna

• 150
• 152
• 172
• 182

Beechcraft

• Bonanza
• Travel Air

Cirrus

• SR20
• SR22
• SR22T

Turbine

• Epic E1000 GX

If your aircraft isn't listed, please contact us. We may still be able to assist or connect you with a qualified pilot.

Pricing

Half-Day Service: $300

Full-Day Service: $500

Turbine aircraft services are quoted separately. Contact us for pricing.