Questions, answered

No. Most of our students start with a discovery flight and no prior experience at all. Your instructor teaches you everything from the ground up.

There is no minimum age to take lessons or go on an intro or discovery flight. You must be 16 to fly solo, 17 to earn a Private Pilot certificate and 18 for a Commercial Pilot certificate.

Yes, before you fly solo. You'll need at least a third class FAA medical certificate from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner. We recommend getting it early in training. To exercise commercial pilot privileges you'll need a second class medical.

Both are FAA rules for pilot training, and both lead to the same certificates. Part 141 schools follow a fixed, FAA-approved curriculum. Part 61, which we use, lets your instructor tailor training to your pace and schedule. It's ideal for students balancing work, school or family.

Yes. Our instructors have recorded free ground school classes, from a private pilot ground course to takeoffs, landings and holding patterns. Watch them on our ground school videos page.

The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours. Most students need between 60 and 75 hours to be ready for the checkride.

It mostly depends on how often you fly. Students who fly two or three times a week usually finish in a few months. Flying once a week or less takes longer, because time is spent reviewing between lessons.

It's a multiple-choice FAA exam taken at an approved testing center. It covers regulations, weather, navigation, aerodynamics and more. We'll guide your study and give you the endorsement you need to take it.

The checkride is your final FAA practical test with a Designated Pilot Examiner. It has an oral portion on the ground and a flight portion. We fly a practice checkride with you first, so there are no surprises.

We publish our training package prices: Private Pilot $13,999, Instrument Rating $7,999, Commercial Pilot $9,999 and Multi-Engine Rating $4,999. Intro flights start at $99, and the discovery flight is $199. Because everyone learns at a different pace, we confirm in writing what your package covers and what any extra hours would cost. See packages.

Lessons are scheduled directly with your instructor around your availability. Call or send a message to get started.

Safety comes first. If weather isn't suitable for your lesson or flight, we'll reschedule. Sometimes we use the time for ground instruction instead.

Intro and discovery flights get a full refund if you ask within 48 hours of purchase. Training packages can't be refunded once training has started. If weather or maintenance cancels a flight, we find you a new date at no charge.

On a discovery flight you take the controls with an instructor beside you. It's your first flying lesson. On a Philadelphia flight tour, a pilot flies while you enjoy the views of the city.

Yes. For safe weight and balance, the maximum is 250 lbs per person.

Yes. You can buy a discovery flight, a Philadelphia flight tour or a flight gift card for any amount in our online shop. Mention it's a gift when you order and we'll email you a printable certificate.

Send us a booking request with your voucher code and preferred dates. A $30 surcharge per flight for fuel and landing fees is paid on arrival.

GQ Aviation opened at Northeast Philadelphia Airport in September 2015, renting aircraft to pilots. The flight school opened in January 2019. Read our story.

Yes. We've rented aircraft to pilots at Northeast Philadelphia Airport since 2015. Rates, requirements and availability depend on the airplane and your experience, so ask us about renting or call (215) 839-8507.

We're at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE), 9800 Ashton Rd, Hangar A, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Get directions.

KPNE is a towered airport with two runways beneath Philadelphia's busy airspace. You'll learn to talk to air traffic control and fly in real-world airspace from the start, which makes you a more confident pilot anywhere you go.