Cessna Pilot Center Training Curriculum

Colorado Flight Center is pleased to be partnered with Cessna Aircraft Company as a Cessna Pilot Center. Cessna has been "teaching the world to fly" through its worldwide CPC network for over 35 years. The designation as a Cessna Pilot Center gives us the exclusive opportunity to provide our students with Cessna's innovative Computer Based Instruction (CBI) program for ground training, produced by King Schools. These programs are integrated with your flight training, designed to support and augment the teaching given by your flight instructor in the airplane. CBI programs are available to students training for private and commercial pilot certificates, as well as instrument and multi-engine ratings.

Gone are the typical evening classroom sessions for what seems like endless weeks. Our students use the CBI to study when and where their schedule permits. Utilization of this program ensures that the student's technical knowledge is coordinated with each flight lesson to provide maximum utility and retention from the lesson. Cessna has found that students utilizing this revolutionary new system complete their training in an average of 30% less less time than those following traditional flight training programs. Efficient training means that you will spend less time and less money achieving your flying goals.

Technically Advanced Aircraft

The general aviation cockpit got a major face lift a few years ago, and it will never again look the same. The glass cockpits installed on commercial jetliners are now standard equipment on all newly-produced training and personal aircraft. These aren't simply bells and whistles to dazzle youthful pilots, but represent the latest design and safety mechanisms available today. Pilots and students of all levels who want to fly this new generation of aircraft can do so at Colorado Flight Center. If you are heading down the professional flight path, or are considering purchasing a new Cessna aircraft, talk with us about these innovations, and log some training time in the newest airplane from the world's oldest and most recognized name in general aviation aircraft.

In keeping with our commitment to educate according to the latest General Aviation standards, we specialize in training for all Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), including the "Glass Cockpit" systems provided by Garmin, Avidyne, and Chelton, or any aircraft equipped with GPS navigations systems, multi-function displays, and autopilots. For those of you who own a TAA, we can help you get the most out of the new technology. Our instructors are familiar with most Honeywell Bendix/King, Garmin (including Apollo and UPS), Avidyne, and Chelton avionics and EFIS systems.

Several of our rental aircraft are capable of flying the new GPS WAAS instrument approaches which provide both lateral and vertical guidance (glideslope) to near precision approach minimums. The Garmin 430 and 530 GPS receivers are now upgradeable to WAAS capability; give us a call if you'd like to try out the future of instrument approaches.

FAA-Industry Training Standards (FITS)

The FAA-Industry Training Standards (FITS) program is a partnership between FAA, Industry, and Academia designed to enhance general aviation safety. This is accomplished by developing flight training programs that are more convenient, more accessible, less expensive, and more relevant to today’s users of the National Airspace System. The FITS program creates scenario-based, learner-focused training materials that encourage practical application of knowledge and skills. The goal is to help pilots of technically-advanced aircraft (TAAs) -- which have more automation and often greater performance capability -- develop the risk management skills and in-depth systems knowledge needed to safely operate and maximize the capability of these aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS).

Colorado Flight Center instructors have been specifically trained by both Cessna Aircraft Company and Cirrus Design Corporation to the FITS standards for their TAA aircraft. We are certified by both Cirrus and Cessna to provide the latest in training methodology for these advanced aircraft types.

Multi-Engine Aircraft

Multi-engine training is here and available for the general aviation community in western Colorado. Colorado Flight Center is proud to offer a Piper Seneca V for multi-engine add-on training and multi-engine instructor training. Give us a call at 970-254-0444 to find out what's required for that step up to a multi-engine rating!

Mountain Flying

Colorado Flight Center, and our sister company, Parkwest Air Tours, have teamed up to provide several options for mountain flying training. Choose between a formal 3-day weekend clinic or an individual program tailored to your specific needs. Each option includes ground and flight training on the mountain flying environment, mountain weather trends, density altitude, preflight planning and preparation, takeoff and departure techniques, approach and landing considerations, and general mountain flying principles. Grand Junction is a perfectly-suited base for Colorado high-altitude training operations. Give us a call to schedule your mountain flying experience.

Financing Options

Are you serious about wanting to learn how to fly but not sure how to pay for it? Colorado Flight Center is pleased to be affiliated with two educational lenders who understand aviation training and your needs as a flight student. SLM Financial, a SallieMae^® company, and Pilot Finance, Inc. provide educational loan packages with repayment options tailored to your needs. Stop by or give us a call and let us help you navigate through the financing options available to you.

College Degree Programs

Most regional airlines require pilot candidates to have an Associate's Degree and most major airlines require their pilots to have a Bachelor's Degree. One of the best ways for students to fulfill their degree requirements is to combine their flight training with one of our on-line or campus educational programs.

Colorado Flight Center has agreed to train students enrolled in the online training program offered through Utah Valley University. This program allows students to earn either an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree via internet classroom training while completing their flight training here in Grand Junction. We are also in partnership with Mountain State University in Beckley, West Virginia, which offers an Associate of Science Degree in Aviation Technology as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Leadership and Management. Coursework is completed via the internet; you can stay right here in western Colorado to complete your college program.

Helicopter Training

Colorado Flight Center has affiliated with Colorado Vertical Adventures LLC to provide rotorcraft training and helicopter scenic flights in the Grand Valley. They'll tailor the training to fit your schedule and needs, and you'll be training in an Enstrom Shark 280c Helicopter. Give them a call at 970-210-4872 to find out about vertical flight!