Learn to Fly

SilverLight Aviation recommends that anyone interested in purchasing one of our gyroplanes takes lessons from us. Most people will need between 15 to 25 hours of one-on-one instruction before flying solo as a student pilot. You will need a minimum of a Sport Pilot license (rotorcraft category / gyroplane class) to fly an AR-1 with a passenger (during daylight hours only). A Sport Pilot license requires passing both a written knowledge exam, and a practical flying test. You can also pursue Private Pilot or Commercial Pilot licenses in this category / class, which would require additional training and testing.

If you are a pilot in another category (e.g. airplane, weight-shift-control trikes) and want to add a gyroplane rating at the Sport Pilot level, there is no legal training-time requirement nor written test, but minimum proficiency of FAA Practical Test Standards for gyroplanes must be demonstrated to an examining instructor after your training instructor recommends you.  Proper training is essential to flying safely.

TRAINING COST: Training at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport near the factory is $185/hour for flight instruction and $45/hour for ground instruction.
Third-party independent instructors charge as high as $225/hour.

COVID-19 Update: For the safety for all involved, anyone planning to train with us must be screened first, to reduce spread of this disease. We will provide a sanitized headset and helmet, and the aircraft will be sanitized for each flight. Contact us for screening questions to schedule your training.

---

Preparing for Flight Training

• Bring a photo ID (driver’s license) and a passport or birth certificate to prove US citizenship, as required by the Transport Security Administration (TSA).
• If you are not a US citizen and do not already have a FAA license, we can guide you to get TSA clearance for initial flight training in the US.
• Be prepared take guidance from your instructor. Be prepared to learn!
• 250 pounds weight limit.
• If you have any medical or physical issues, mobility issues, or any issues that affect full use of your legs, arms, hands, fingers, etc. used in flying gyroplanes, please discuss those with us beforehand.
• The FAA Gyroplane Flying Handbook and FAR/AIM are recommended purchases. Additional items include sectional charts, E6B, Plotter, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) and study aids for the knowledge test and oral portion of the practical exam.
• If you have no intention of purchasing our gyroplane and are just looking for general gyroplane instruction, please look at Popular Rotorcraft Association’s (PRA) Training website for a list of gyroplane instructors.

Please note: Any recommended instructors are completely independent and are not employees of SilverLight Aviation. We cannot be held responsible if you find any fault with their instruction or services.