Top Tier Flight School — Training Today. Pilots Tomorrow.
Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) · Part 61 Flight School

Learn to fly at Top Tier.

✈  $149 Discovery Flight — Limited-Time Introductory Rate  ✈

FAA-certified instructors, a straightforward flat-rate wet price, and a clear program from your first discovery flight to your commercial certificate.

Book a Discovery Flight — $149 → View Programs
FAA Part 61 certified school Flat $160/hr wet rate New & returning students welcome
Training Board LIVE STATUS
Discovery FlightOpen Today
Private Pilot Cert.Now Enrolling
Instrument RatingNow Enrolling
Commercial PilotNow Enrolling
Cessna 150Available
PA28R-201Available
Tap a program below to request it — no commitment
Start Where You Are

One Program For Every Stage

Whether you've never touched the controls or you're chasing a commercial certificate, there's a clear next step for you here.

01

Brand-New to Flying

No experience needed. Start with a low-pressure discovery flight and a clear first step into the left seat.

02

Private Pilot Certificate

First lesson to checkride. Build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to earn your PPL with our instructors.

03

Instrument Rating

Fly with confidence in clouds and low visibility. The single biggest safety upgrade a pilot can make.

04

Commercial Pilot

Turn flying into a profession. Refine your skills to commercial single-engine standards.

Why Train Here

Straightforward Training, No Surprises

You get certified instructors, transparent flat-rate pricing, and a clear plan from day one.

✈

FAA Certified Instructors

Every instructor is FAA-certificated, training you to the same standard examiners expect on checkride day.

$

Flat Wet Rate

$160/hour, aircraft and fuel included. No hidden line items, no surprise billing.

✓

Clear Next Steps

You'll always know what you did, what's next, and how many hours stand between you and your checkride.

🛠

Well-Maintained Fleet

Train in our Cessna 150, with access to our PA28R-201 for required complex training.

Getting Started Is Simple

Three Steps To Your First Lesson

No applications, no commitment. Just a clear path from curious to in the air.

STEP 01

Tell Us Your Goal

Send a quick note — a discovery flight, starting your PPL, or just curious where to begin.

STEP 02

Get a Simple Plan

We'll walk you through hours, pricing, and scheduling for your program — no pressure.

STEP 03

Schedule Your First Lesson

Book a discovery flight or your first training block and get in the air.

The Easiest Way To Start

Start With a Discovery Flight

A discovery flight is a real introductory lesson. You'll actually fly the Cessna 150 — hands on the controls — with an instructor beside you the whole time. No experience, no pressure. You decide if you want to continue.

  • Meet your instructor and talk through your goals
  • Fly the airplane yourself — really fly it
  • Review the aircraft and safety basics
  • Leave with a clear next step — or don't. No pressure.
Book a Discovery Flight — $149 →
Boarding Pass · Discovery Lesson
FlightDiscovery Lesson
AircraftCessna 150
SeatLeft — Yours
InstructorAssigned at Booking
StatusReady When You Are
Flight Training Programs

A Clear Climb From Student To Commercial Pilot

Every program is priced at our flat $160/hour wet rate — aircraft, fuel, and instruction included.

Discovery Flight

1 HR · NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
$149 / one flight
  • 30–45 min in the air, hands on the controls
  • Pre-flight briefing with an instructor
  • Logbook entry — your first flight hour, official
  • Credit applied toward Private Pilot enrollment
Book Discovery Flight
Most Popular

Private Pilot Certificate

60 HRS INCLUDED · CESSNA 150
$9,600 flight cost
  • 60 hrs of flight time included — beyond the 40-hr FAA minimum so you arrive checkride-ready
  • Some students still need additional hours beyond 60
  • + ~$200 written exam, ~$2,000 checkride (not included)
Start Private Pilot

Instrument Rating

65 HRS INCLUDED
$10,400 flight cost
  • 50 hrs cross-country PIC + 40 hrs instrument time + 15 hrs w/ instructor (hours overlap toward the 65-hr total)
  • Fly confidently in clouds and low visibility
  • + ~$2,000 checkride (not included)
Start Instrument Rating

Commercial Pilot

150 HRS INCLUDED
$26,000 remaining hours
  • Builds on hours already logged in PPL + IR
  • 140 hrs in our Cessna 150 + 10 hrs complex training in our PA28R-201
  • 100 hrs PIC, 50 hrs cross-country PIC required
  • + ~$2,000 checkride (not included)
Ask About Commercial

All programs billed at our flat $160/hour wet rate (aircraft, fuel, and instructor included). Pricing shown reflects our Cessna 150 — currently our only training aircraft, aside from the PA28R-201 used for required complex training. Hour counts reflect FAA Part 61 minimums plus our own built-in buffer where noted; some students still require additional time beyond what's included to reach proficiency and pass their checkride.

Program Outlines

What Each Certificate Actually Requires

A closer look at eligibility, required flight hours, and checkride prep for each rating — straight from 14 CFR Part 61.

Overview

The Private Pilot Certificate is the foundation certificate for every pilot. It authorizes you to act as pilot-in-command for personal, non-commercial flying, and is the required first step toward the Instrument Rating and Commercial Certificate.

Eligibility

  • At least 17 years old on the date of the checkride
  • Able to read, speak, write, and understand English
  • Hold an FAA student pilot certificate
  • Hold a third-class medical certificate before soloing

Checkride & Privileges

Candidates must pass an FAA written knowledge exam, then an oral and flight exam with a Designated Pilot Examiner. Once certificated, you may fly single-engine airplanes for personal use and carry passengers.

Flight Time — 60 Hrs Included

Flight time included in program60 hrs
  FAA minimum (for reference)40 hrs
Dual instruction20 hrs
Solo flight time10 hrs
  — incl. solo cross-country5 hrs
Cross-country training3 hrs
Night training3 hrs
Instrument training3 hrs
Checkride prep3 hrs
Flight cost at $160/hr wet $9,600 We build in 60 hrs (beyond the 40-hr FAA minimum) so most students arrive checkride-ready — though some still need additional time. + ~$200 written exam, ~$2,000 checkride (not included)

Overview

The Instrument Rating is an add-on to your Private Pilot Certificate authorizing flight into clouds and low-visibility conditions under IFR — widely considered the single biggest safety upgrade a pilot can make.

Eligibility

  • Hold a Private Pilot Certificate with an airplane rating
  • Able to read, speak, write, and understand English

Checkride & Privileges

Candidates complete an FAA written knowledge exam, then an oral and flight exam with a DPE. Once rated, you may file and fly under IFR and legally operate in instrument meteorological conditions.

Instrument Rating Requirements

Cross-Country PIC50 Hours
Instrument Time (Actual or Simulated)40 Hours
Flight Time From Authorized Instructor15 Hours
Cross-Country Flight250 NM
Total Flight Time Included65 Hours

The 250 NM cross-country flight must be flown under IFR and include instrument approaches at three different airports. Hours above overlap toward the 65-hour total rather than stacking on top of each other.

Flight cost at $160/hr wet $10,400 65 hrs included. + ~$200 written exam, ~$2,000 checkride fee (not included)

Overview

The Commercial Pilot Certificate authorizes you to act as pilot-in-command for compensation or hire — the certificate that turns flying into a paying profession.

Eligibility

  • At least 18 years old
  • Hold a Private Pilot Certificate
  • Hold a second-class medical certificate
  • Able to read, speak, write, and understand English

Checkride & Privileges

Candidates complete an FAA written knowledge exam, then an oral and flight exam with a DPE. Once certificated, you may legally be paid to fly.

Aeronautical Experience — 250 Hr Minimum Total Time

Total flight time250 hrs
Powered aircraft time (50 hrs in airplanes)100 hrs
PIC time (50 hrs in airplanes)100 hrs
Cross-country PIC time50 hrs
Instrument training10 hrs
Complex aircraft training (PA28R-201)10 hrs
Day & night VFR XC flights (>100nm each)2 flights
  — flown in our Cessna 150140 hrs
  — complex training in our PA28R-20110 hrs
Total Flight Time Included150 hrs
Remaining flight cost at $160/hr wet* $26,000 *Builds on hours already logged in Private + Instrument. Includes 140 hrs in our Cessna 150 and 10 hrs of required complex training in our PA28R-201. + ~$2,000 checkride (not included)
Our School

Built By Instructors Who Still Fly Every Day

Top Tier Flight School was founded on one idea: pilot training should be transparent, well-scheduled, and taught by instructors who genuinely want you in the left seat as soon as you're ready.

We operate under FAA Part 61, giving students flexibility to train around work and school schedules, while holding to the same rigorous standards examiners expect on checkride day.

2Aircraft: Cessna 150 & PA28R-201
100%FAA-certificated flight instructors
$160/hrFlat wet rate, every program
7 DaysWeekly flight availability

Meet Your Instructor

Lead Flight Instructor headshot

Lead Flight Instructor

CFII · Commercial Multi-Engine

A 30-year-old CFII with a Commercial Multi-Engine license. Flying is as much a passion as a profession — when not teaching, you'll find me in the air or spending time with family and friends. I love sharing something I'm genuinely passionate about, and there's nothing better than watching a student's confidence grow flight by flight.

Where You'll Train

Our Home Field

Reach out and we'll confirm exact hangar and meeting details when you schedule.

KISSIMMEE GATEWAY AIRPORT · KISM · 28.29°N, 81.44°W

Sheltair Hangars, Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM), Kissimmee, FL. Exact meeting details are provided once you schedule a lesson.

Good To Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — Top Tier Flight School is a Part 61 flight school with certified instructors and a growing fleet, currently a Cessna 150 and a PA28R-201.

None at all. Most people start with a discovery flight, where you'll fly the airplane with an instructor beside you and decide whether you'd like to continue.

Yes — it's the easiest way to start. Send a request below or call, and we'll get you scheduled.

Yes to both. We train students from their first discovery flight all the way through Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot certificates.

We bill a flat $160/hour wet rate — aircraft, fuel, and instruction included. See our Programs section above for a full hour and cost breakdown by certificate.

At Sheltair Hangars, Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in Kissimmee, FL. Exact meeting details are provided once you schedule.

Often, yes. Reach out with where you are in your training and what you're looking for, and we'll let you know how we can help.

Get In Touch

Ready For Your First Flight?

Reach out to schedule a discovery flight or ask about enrollment — we'll respond within one business day.