Young Aviators Start Here

This is real flight training. We use an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD), and every hour your child logs counts toward future pilot certificates. Our instructors include active airline pilots and experienced CFIs mentored by airline captains, teaching airline-standard fundamentals and procedures. This isn't a video game or entertainment—it's structured aviation education.

We accept students as young as 8 years old, though the ideal starting age depends on your child's maturity and interest level. Younger students (8-12) focus on fundamentals and discovery. Teens (13-17) can begin working toward private pilot certificate requirements. We'll assess your child during the first lesson and recommend the right training path.

Absolutely. Parents are welcome to observe from the instructor station during any lesson. You'll see exactly what your child is learning and how they're progressing. Many parents find it fascinating to watch their young aviator master skills like radio communications, emergency procedures, and flight planning.

Video games reward reflexes and entertainment. Simulator training builds real aviation skills. We use FAA-approved equipment with professional flight controls, accurate flight dynamics, and real-world scenarios. Your child learns checklists, procedures, regulations, and decision-making—not just how to move a joystick. The difference becomes obvious in the first lesson.

If your child has been training with us since age 8-15, they'll have a massive head start when they're eligible for solo flight (age 16) and private pilot certificate (age 17). They'll already understand aircraft systems, navigation, radio procedures, and emergency operations. Most importantly, they'll have logged hours in our FAA-approved simulator that count toward certificate requirements. Early training = less time and money spent later.

Simulator training is the safest form of flight training that exists. Your child practices stalls, engine failures, and emergency procedures in a zero-risk environment. They learn how to handle abnormal situations before they ever leave the ground. Plus, our Lower Manhattan office is a professional, supervised environment—not an aircraft hangar or airport ramp.

Your child will likely work with different instructors, and that's actually a benefit. Our instructors are active airline pilots whose schedules vary week to week based on their flights. Working with multiple instructors means your child learns from different perspectives and teaching styles—building a more well-rounded foundation. Each instructor reviews your child's progress notes before the session so there's no lost momentum.

Each lesson builds on the previous one and is tailored to your child's knowledge, interests, and pace. We have a structured curriculum (aviator.nyc/resources/lesson-plans), but since our students range from ages 8 to 16, we adapt to each child. The goal is sharing our knowledge as professional pilots while keeping their interest in aviation alive—not running through the same script every time.

Start with a single 1-hour lesson ($190) to see if this is something your child enjoys. If they love it, then purchase the 6-hour bundle ($780)—it simply makes continued training more affordable. No need to commit upfront. The bundle also includes 180-day validity (vs. 90 days for adults), giving you flexibility to work around school schedules.

Yes, we offer Saturday sessions. Availability depends on our instructors' airline schedules that week, but you can check real-time availability and book directly through our online system.

Since our instructors are active airline pilots, their schedules occasionally shift due to weather delays, maintenance, or last-minute airline changes. If there's a conflict, we'll notify you the day before or at least 12 hours ahead. We'll try to find another instructor to cover, but if we need to reschedule, we'll give you advance notice and priority rebooking.

Most flight schools have flight training simulators, so we encourage families coming from out of town to check with schools closer to home first and ask if they offer youth lessons. That said, we regularly see families from Connecticut, Long Island, and New Jersey who choose to make the trip anyway—often combining the lesson with a day in the city.