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.  With the Cessna Flight Training System, featuring the new Cessna Sport/Private Pilot Course, you’ll quickly become a knowledgeable, competent pilot.  The scenario-based interactive instruction programs work hand in hand with your actual flight experience – allowing you to prepare for your next training flight before you even take off. So you can learn at your own pace.  And you'll always know your path to progress.

For other certificates and ratings, we also use Cessna's innovative Computer-Based Instruction Program (CBI) for ground training, produced by King Schools. These programs are integrated with your flight training; they are designed to support and augment the teaching given by your flight instructor in the airplane. CBI programs are available to students training for 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 Cessan Program to study when and where their schedule permits. Utilization of these  programs 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 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 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

Colorado Flight Center is currently unable to provide multi-engine flight training at our facilities, however we are working to provide that capability in the near future. Please check back for updates on a regular basis. We do have some resources that we can recommend for this type of 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 provides 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 both 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? Because of the current economic climate, many leanders are scaling back substantially on unsecured credit line programs, although some are still available. Colorado Flight Center is pleased to be affiliated with Pilot Finance, Inc. which provides 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 available financing options.

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.

Recurrent Training

All pilots are required to complete a Flight Review according to FAR § 61.56 every two years.  We are happy to provide the flight and ground instruction for you to meet this requirement.  To facilitate the completion of a Flight Review, we have developed a written Flight Review Training Guide, which may help you and your instructor identify any deficiencies in either your aeronautical knowledge or flying skills.  Another way to meet currency requirements is to participate in the FAA Safety Teams's WINGS program.  We encourage all pilots to participate in this program as a better way toward currency; it will keep you on a "continuing education" program for your flying skills.

Instrument-rated pilots must also complete an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) according to FAR § 61.57 (d) if they have not maintained their instrument currency.  Again, our flight instructors are trained and qualified in all instrument flying procedures, both the classical versions and those utilizing newer technology.  If your instrument currency has lapsed, we'll be happy to help you brush up those skills and get the most out of the avionics in your aircraft.  Prior to your IPC training, we recommend that you complete our Instrument Proficiency Written Evaluation. This series of questions will help both you and your instructor evaluate your current instrument flying knowledge level, and help both of you tailor the IPC training to your specific needs.  Completing this evalution will take about an hour, but will save that much time and more with your instructor, and will help you complete the IPC training in the least amount of time.

Colorado Flight Center has also developed model-specific initial and recurrent training programs.  Several of these programs formally meet aircraft insurance company requirements for approved pilots.  We, of course, have specific programs for our fleet of aircraft: Cessna 172, Cessna 172RG, Cessna 182, and Piper Seneca aircraft.  We have also have specific programs for the Cessna 210 Series of aircraft (210, T210 and P210), Cessna 206, Cirrus models SR-20 and SR-22, Cessna Corvalis (previously Columbia) aircraft and many others.  If you don't see your aircraft listed here, give us a call at 970-254-0444.  If we don't have an instructor with experience in your aircraft make and model, we'll help you find one who does.