Aviation Flight Training
Mission-focused flight training program with a low instructor-to-student ratio.
SMAT’s flight training program operates as a structured, full-time school with the goal of preparing students for missionary service by placing heavy emphasis on developing discipline, professionalism, precision, and good decision-making skills.
Flight Training Curriculum
Main Courses
Module 1
AVF 120
Private Pilot Certification Course
Module 2
AVF 130
VFR Cross Country Experience Building
AVF 140
High Performance (HP) Transition
AVF 150
Complex (RG) Transition
Module 3
AVF 160
Tailwheel Transition
AVF 200
High Performance (HP) Proficiency
AVF 210
Complex (RG) Proficiency
Module 4
AVF 220
Advanced VFR Cross Country Experience
AVF 230
Instrument Airplane Certification and Experience
AVF 240
Commercial Pilot Certification
Program Schedule
Module 1
AVF 120
Private Pilot Certification Course
Aircraft Model: C172
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 48.0 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 17.7* |
| Total Flight Hrs | 65.7 |
| Simulator | 1.3 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 185 |
Module 2
AVF 130
VFR Cross Country Experience Building
Aircraft Model: C172
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 10.5 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 7.0 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 17.5 |
| Simulator | 1.0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 40 |
AVF 140
High Performance (HP) Transition
Aircraft Model: C206
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 14.6 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 1.4 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 16.0 |
| Simulator | 1.0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 55 |
AVF 150
Complex(RG) Transition
Aircraft Model: C172RG
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 14.6 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 1.4 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 16.0 |
| Simulator | 1.0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 55 |
Module 3
AVF 160
Tailwheel Transition
Aircraft Model: C172 (tailwheel)
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 18.5 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 1.5 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 20.0 |
| Simulator | 1.0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 40 |
AVF 200
High Performance (HP) Proficiency
Aircraft Model: C206
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 10.4 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 5.6 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 16.0 |
| Simulator | 1.0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 40 |
AVF 210
Complex (RG) Proficiency
Aircraft Model: C172RG
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 10.0 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 9.0 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 19 |
| Simulator | 0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 40 |
Module 4
AVF 220
Advanced VFR Cross Country Experience
Aircraft Model: C206/172RG
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 16.0 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 0 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 16.0 |
| Simulator | 0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 40 |
AVF 230
Instrument Airplane Cert. and Experience
Aircraft Model: C172
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 39.0 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 2.0* |
| Total Flight Hrs | 41.0 |
| Simulator | 18.3 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 125 |
AVF 240
Commercial Pilot Certification Course
Aircraft Model: C172/206/172RG
| Training Type | Hours |
| Dual Airplane | 11.0 |
| Solo/PIC Airplane | 16.1 |
| Total Flight Hrs | 27.1 |
| Simulator | 0 |
| Ground School & Briefing | 35 |
*Includes FAA check ride at conclusion of specific course. Commercial Pilot check ride not included in total hours.
Your Flight Hours May Vary
Actual hours flown by students in the past have been within 5% of the program hours, according to the distribution above. Students requiring flight instruction that exceeds the estimated time to meet the minimal standard in the practical courses will be required to pay a per hour fee for the plane and instructor until satisfactory performance is obtained.
Instruction: $50 / C172: $135 / C206: $215 / Arrow: $170 / Citabria: $100 / Simulator: $30.
Cost
Flight Program tuition costs of $67,000 include all necessary course materials for ground school and flight training. The following is a list of additional expenses with estimated values not included in the program costs.
Additional Expenses
- FAA Medical Examination (2nd Class)
$150 - FAA Knowledge Tests (Private/Instrument/Commercial)
$525 (3 at $175 each) - FAA Examiner Fee (Private/Instrument/Commercial)
$1800 (3 at $600 each) - Aviation Headset
$250 – $995 (highly recommended) - Ipad/Ipad Mini/Ipad Air
- $250 – $450 (required to start training)
- Consultation Flight
$200 – $500 (see explanation below) - Private Pilot Evaluations
$550 (see explanation below)
Consultation Flights
SMAT has good relationships with a number of mission organizations with aviation programs around the world. The valuable input and recommendations they give are essential for meeting the objective to provide training to the highest possible standard, tailored for the unique qualities and challenges inherent to this facet of aviation, as well as shaping the professional profile we desire in each of our graduates.
Though not required of any student in training, we highly recommend the opportunity to fly with an observer/evaluator from one of these organizations for the purpose of having a helpful external assessment of the individual progress in the technical areas that are of greatest concern for the training departments in missionary aviation agencies. The consultation flights also provide feed-back to the SMAT training department about areas that need to be improved or modified to meet changing realities and field needs, especially as they relate to standards, procedures, and safety culture. These flights, with an average duration of 2 hours, will be arranged through the flight training department, and are conducted prior to the conclusion of the program, according to the availability of a representative from an organization of choice.
Private Pilot Evaluations
Applicants to the program who possess a Private Pilot certificate will undergo knowledge and flight evaluations so that a tailored refresher and standardization course can be designed based on assessed levels of proficiency and acquired knowledge base. These evaluations are scheduled over a 3-day period, including at least 3 hours of ground instruction and 5 hours of flight in a Cessna 172. All students must be present in the orientation sessions at the beginning of the program, regardless of previous evaluation status and standardization needs.
Flight Program Payment Schedule
The total cost of the flight program ($67,000) is divided into four payments. A student with a negative balance will not be scheduled for flights, and must inform the Program Director of any problems that affect the payment deadlines. See Refund Policy for conditions related to early withdrawal from the flight program.
Apply to the Flight Training Program
We encourage individuals who are willing to meet high academic standards and desire a mission-focused education to submit an application to our Flight Training Program. We evaluate every applicant for the potential to be successful in mission aviation and we hope you’ll be the next to join us!