COURSES

Ground school will be taught at Blackhawk Technical College. Flight training is provided by Elevation Air, LLC, located at 1710 W Airport Road, the green and tan hangar to the right of the Terminal Building at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport. Private Pilot Certificate, Airplane The first semester of the Professional Pilot Program is designed for students to earn their FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Students will study all subjects necessary to become a private pilot. Lecture topics include aircraft structure, mechanical systems, flight instruments and avionics, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, aviation meteorology, airport operations, navigation, aeromedical factors, rules, and regulations. The blended learning format allows for in-depth subject matter discussion centered around PC-based simulation scenarios with classroom presentation of aviation principles taught online via eLearning. Instrument Rating, Airplane The second semester of the Professional Pilot Program is designed for students to earn an airplane Instrument Rating. During this semester, students will study the subjects necessary to become an instrument-rated pilot so that they can legally fly in clouds and under other restricted visibility conditions. Lecture topics include Federal Aviation Regulations applicable to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR); air traffic control; IFR navigation; IFR enroute and instrument approach procedures; aviation weather reports, forecasts, and observations; hazardous weather detection and avoidance; safe and efficient operations under IFR rules in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC); aeronautical decision making; and crew resource management. The blended learning format allows for in-depth subject matter discussion centered around PC-based simulation scenarios featuring classroom presentations of aviation principles taught online via eLearning. Commercial Pilot, Airplane The third semester of the Professional Pilot Program is designed for students to earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate for airplanes. During this semester, students will study to master those subjects necessary to become a commercial pilot. The commercial pilot certification is the minimum level of qualification required by the FAA in order to work for compensation transporting cargo or passengers, as well as performing other operations such as aerial surveying, air tours, skydiving operations, search and rescue, and many more. Lecture topics include Federal Aviation Regulations applicable to commercial pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations, as well as more in-depth advanced coverage of the topics learned during the first two semesters. Certified Flight Instructor + Instrument Instructor + Multi Engine Instructor The fourth and final semester of the four-course Professional Pilot Program is designed for students to become FAA Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) with Instrument Instructor (CFII) and Multi Engine (MEI) airplane rating. During the course, students study the subjects necessary to become flight instructors capable of teaching other student pilots pursuing their own certificates and ratings. This course focuses on the fundamentals of instruction and teaches students how to develop lesson plans and teach the subject matter they themselves previously learned during their own training. At the end of this semester, students will be qualified to take the commercial pilot, CFI, CFII, and MEI written and practical examinations and thus complete the Professional Pilot Program. Successful graduates are then able to become employed by any U.S. flight school as an instructor where they'll be able to build hours toward the 1,500 hours of flight experience required to apply for an ATP certificate required to fly for scheduled air carriers. This period normally requires 18-24 months of full-time instruction work.

EQUIPMENT

Students in this program will be trained using Garmin avionics, and the Cessna 172S’s used for flight training (cockpit shown right) are equipped with the Garmin G1000NXi Avionics Suite along with the Garmin GFC707 Automatic Flight Control System. The Cessna C172S is the most produced training aircraft in the world, tried and true over the past 60+ years. For our multi engine training, Elevation Air is proud to offer the Beechcraft G58 Baron. Our Baron is certified for flight into known ice, equipped with onboard Weather Radar, the Garmin G1000NXi, and the GFC707 triple axis autopilot. TAAs are the most sophisticated available for ab initio flight training to prepare future pilots to operate today's commercial airliners and corporate jet aircraft. These advanced airplanes include modern avionics suites and other advanced operating systems, helping to ensure that graduates are highly sought-after recruits by regional air carriers and corporate flight departments. The Professional Pilot Program also employs an FAA Certified Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) that simulates Garmin G1000NXi avionics. The AATD is certified for students to log up to 20 hours of flight time for their instrument rating and up to 50 hours toward their commercial pilot license. Finally, the Professional Pilot Program utilizes electronic flight bag (EFB) technology whereby students flight with their own personal iPad loaded with the market-leading EFB application, ForeFlight (see ForeFlight's website here). ForeFlight runs in Apple iPads and is the most advanced electronic flight bag software available. It allows for holistic flight planning, in-flight navigation, flight logging and records and documents management, so our students begin flying just like the professionals from day one.

Aidan Olson - CFI, CFII Aidan's passion for aviation began early, building and flying model airplanes before eventually stepping into the cockpit himself. He earned his private pilot, instrument, and commercial ratings in Phoenix before returning home to Wisconsin to complete his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Instrument Instructor (CFII), and Multi-Engine ratings. With a special interest in experimental aircraft, Aidan dreams of building multiple planes in the future.

Peter Bogosian - CFI, CFII Peter was born and raised outside of Boston, MA, and developed a personal passion for aviation. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, to pursue a career in aviation. While there, Peter obtained his private pilot, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. He graduated in Fall 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science and remained in Florida to complete his CFI and CFII. Peter looks forward to sharing his knowledge and passion with other aspiring pilots as he pursues his goal of going to work for the airlines.

Sydney Fago - CFI, CFII Sydney, originally from South Beloit, IL, began her aviation journey by earning her Private Pilot’s License at Poplar Grove. She continued her training at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, where she earned a degree in Aeronautical Science. Sydney is passionate about aviation and aspires to fly for a major airline in the future.

Ric Bodio - Flight Operations Specialist Ric, originally from Chicago, IL had an early passion for aviation. During high school, he started building RC airplanes and quadcopters, where he decided to dedicate himself to a career in aviation. His passion and dedication is strengthened by his service in the Air National Guard, as well as studying his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics. He is focused on completing his ratings and pursuing a career to work for a major US airline.

Flight Instructors Brad Pyzer - Check Instructor, CFI, CFII Bradley Pyzer’s passion for aviation began in childhood. For a decade, he pursued a different path, working as a firefighter on helicopters and fire engines across California. In 2021, he decided to follow his true calling and enrolled in flight school. After graduating in 2022, he drove to Wisconsin to join Elevation Air as a CFI/CFII. Since then, Bradley has advanced to the role of Part 141 Stage Check Instructor and now flies for a major airline. Alongside his career as an airline pilot, he remains dedicated to training future aviators as a skilled instructor.

Charles Willms - CFI, CFII Charlie is originally from the Minocqua WI area, where he earned his Private Pilot’s license during high school. He then earned an Aeronautics degree from the University of North Dakota, and is now back in Wisconsin sharing his passion for aviation with students at Elevation Air. Charlie hopes to work for a major airline carrier in the future.

Brayden Stocks - CFI, CFII Brayden Stocks was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. He earned his private pilot certificate at Elevation Air and recently graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science. Now a certified CFI/CFII, Brayden is passionate about helping others grow in aviation. His long-term goal is to fly for a major U.S. airline. Outside of flying, he enjoys spending time outdoors, watching hockey, and being with family and friends. He’s excited to mentor the next generation of pilots and support them in reaching their goals.

Chief Flight Instructor

Everett Reese - CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP Everett has been fascinated by airplanes since he was little and began flight training at a very young age. He attended a part 141 flight school in California where he received his CFI/CFII/MEI. Today, Everett has over 20 years of airline experience with type ratings on the B737 & E145 and currently works as a Check Airman for a major U.S. airline.

NEXT PRIVATE PILOT COURSE STARTS AUG 2024.

INTERESTED? Click HERE to apply.

DESCRIPTION

The Professional Pilot Program (PPP) is a 21-month (two academic years) accelerated program designed for students seeking a fast-track pathway to a professional flying career. The Professional Pilot Program positions graduates ahead of their peers by training them on the most advanced equipment available. Specifically, students will train in Cessna 172S Skyhawks and Beechcraft G58 Baron technologically advanced aircraft (TAA). Students will also learn to fly in advanced aviation training devices (AATDs) certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with Garmin G1000NXi, the most advanced avionics system in general aviation. The program leverages Elevation Air LLC’s proprietary flight-training syllabus and ForeFlight® electronic flight bag (EFB) system, which is general aviation’s most sophisticated in-cockpit information resource (see “Equipment” section below for full details). Educational components include ground school, flight training, and home study, all of which are critical to gaining employment as a professional aviator. The total time commitment for the Professional Pilot Program is approximately 20 hours per week while enrolled and is designed to facilitate exciting career opportunities for traditional college students, returning adult students seeking a career change, military Veterans, and high-school juniors and seniors who want to dual enroll and get started early to capitalize on an explosive hiring market in professional aviation The Professional Pilot Program progresses students through ground-school courses and flight training to earn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificates and ratings required to become professional aviators. In this program, students earn their private-pilot license in the first fall semester and their instrument flight rating in the second semester (spring). Summer is spent building hours and there is no ground school. In year two, students will earn their commercial pilot certificate during fall semester and their Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI) and Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) rating. After graduation in May of year two, all graduates will be offered an interview to be hired as instructor pilots at Elevation Air. Those who are offered positions will spend the next 18-24 months building 1500 hours to qualify for airline employment. During the first two 16-week semesters, ground school will meet from 6:00pm to 9:00pm CT one night per week on a day to be determined (TBD), and each student will be assigned a 2 hour time block on a on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Students will be expected to be at the airport every other day 15 minutes BEFORE the start of their flight time, which will be between 5am and 10pm. Make-up flights will be scheduled on the next available day, so students who enroll in this program are expected to be 100% committed at all hours of the day, seven days per week. A strict attendance policy will be enforced to ensure successful program completion and to maintain a core of students who are committed to the work ethic needed to secure great careers in professional aviation. Second-year ground school will also be one day per week for three (3) hours at a time to be determined (TBD), and the same 2-hour flight blocks listed above will be assigned Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday on a first-come, first served basis. All graduates will enter the workforce as qualified flight instructors eligible to be hired by EA as well as other flight schools. Flight instructors typically spend 18-24 months teaching private, instrument, and commercial students, building flight time and gaining valuable experience required to qualify for commercial pilot jobs with corporate flight departments, air freight operators, regional/national commercial airlines, or other professional aviation careers.