Flight Training Programs & Rates

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 At Forbes Aviation Academy, we provide structured, efficient, and personalized flight training for every level—from your first flight to advanced certifications. We train out of Boise Airport (KBOI) using a modern Piper fleet and experienced instructors who prioritize safety and student success.

Below is a clear outline of each program, what to expect, and how long typical students take to complete each rating.

 Learning to fly begins with the Private Pilot License. Our PPL program at Forbes Aviation Academy is designed to take brand-new students and build real skill, confidence, and decision-making through structured lessons at Boise Airport (KBOI). Students train primarily in our Piper Cherokee 180s (N7783N, N8380W) and Archer II (N2171Y), giving you stable, predictable aircraft ideal for mastering core flight fundamentals.

Training includes basic maneuvers, ground reference work, takeoffs and landings, navigation, airspace, weather, emergency procedures, radio communication, and cross-country flying. Because KBOI is a controlled Class C airport, you will learn ATC communications, departures, and arrivals in a professional environment, building habits used by airline and corporate pilots.

Most students finish the Private Pilot License in 50–70 hours depending on schedule and weather. If you want to become a professional pilot—or simply fly for fun—the PPL is your foundation for everything that comes next. Our instructors provide one-on-one training with personalized weekly guidance to keep you progressing efficiently and confidently.

 The Instrument Rating is one of the most rewarding phases of flight training and a major safety upgrade for every pilot. At Forbes Aviation Academy, you’ll learn how to fly by reference to instruments alone, navigate safely in low visibility, and handle real-world IFR procedures used in everyday aviation. Most training is done in our Archer II (N2171Y), simulator, and Cherokees (80W and 31W) equipped with modern avionics.

Your training includes IFR charts, holding procedures, precision and non-precision approaches, departure procedures, approach briefings, risk management, weather interpretation, and ATC phraseology. Boise Airport (KBOI) is an excellent IFR training environment thanks to real airline traffic, professional controllers, and diverse approach options.

You will also train in our Microsoft Flight Simulator station equipped with a Garmin 430 and radio stack that matches our aircraft. This allows you to rehearse procedures at a fraction of the cost. By the end of the course, you will be proficient in flying ILS, RNAV (GPS), VOR, and circle-to-land procedures—skills required for both Commercial and CFI training.

 The Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is where you refine your precision, efficiency, and professionalism as a pilot. At Forbes Aviation Academy, Commercial training uses the Piper Arrow IV (N2824Y) for Complex/TAA requirements and the Cherokee 235 (N8831W) for High-Performance time and advanced cross-country training.

Commercial training focuses on energy management, accuracy, and professional airmanship. You’ll master chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, power-off accuracy landings, complex aircraft operations, and long cross-country planning. Boise’s Class C environment prepares you for real airline-style communication, including traffic sequencing, departure procedures, and complex airspace transitions.

Most students complete Commercial training around 190–250 total hours depending on previous experience. Whether you want to fly for hire, become a CFI, or pursue an airline pathway, our Commercial program is structured to build the professionalism and precision needed for the next stage of your aviation career.

 The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate is where pilots transition from “doing” to “teaching.” Our CFI program at Forbes Aviation Academy prepares you to explain, demonstrate, and evaluate maneuvers while managing student pilots in real training scenarios.

The course includes lesson plan creation, fundamentals of instruction, advanced airspace and weather knowledge, endorsements, risk management, and practical teaching techniques. You will train in the same Piper aircraft you’ll later teach in, giving you the advantage of real familiarity with the fleet. Boise Airport (KBOI) provides the perfect environment to develop teaching skills with real ATC and realistic traffic levels.

Structured mock lessons and practice teaching sessions help you build confidence before the CFI checkride—one of the most challenging tests in aviation. CFI is often the first paid flying job for new commercial pilots, making it a crucial step toward airline or corporate careers.

 CFII training builds on your IFR foundation and prepares you to teach instrument students in both the simulator and Piper aircraft. The CFII course at Forbes Aviation Academy emphasizes scenario-based IFR training, approach teaching strategies, risk management, and clear, concise communication.

You will practice demonstrating instrument maneuvers while maintaining safety and situational awareness, diagnosing common student errors, briefing approaches, and managing ATC interactions. Because Boise Airport offers real ILS, RNAV, and VOR approaches, you’ll gain experience teaching in a true IFR training environment.

If you want to build high-quality flight hours and help instrument students gain confidence in real-world IFR, the CFII is a powerful step that strengthens both your teaching skills and your professional résumé.

Our Complex/TAA training uses the Piper Arrow IV equipped with retractable landing gear, a constant-speed propeller, and upgraded avionics. This course teaches pilots how to safely manage configuration changes, advanced energy control, and TAA systems.

You will learn transition procedures, emergency gear operations, propeller management, and real-world cross-country considerations. This endorsement is required for Commercial training and extremely valuable for pilots moving into faster or higher-performance aircraft.

 The Piper Cherokee 235 is our High Performance platform, delivering strong climb performance and useful load for longer missions. This course covers advanced engine management, performance planning, weight and balance for high-power operations, and emergency procedures.

High Performance training is ideal for Commercial pilots, CFI candidates, and students preparing for more advanced aircraft or mountain flying.

 Our Microsoft Flight Simulator station includes a Garmin 430, radio stack, and controls that mirror our Piper fleet. The simulator is used for Private Pilot procedures, Instrument training, Commercial maneuvers, and emergency scenario practice.

Sim training saves money, accelerates learning, and allows repetition that isn’t cost-effective in an aircraft. Students use it for approach practice, checklist flow, radio work, IFR holds, emergency procedures, and flight planning. (Not loggable for flight time)

$75/hour

$245/hour

TAA and High Performance

$245/hour

Complex and TAA 

$170/hour

IFR Certified Dual G5/Garmin 430W

$165/hour

IFR Certified Garmin 430W 

$155/hour

Traditional 6-Pack & VOR/ILS

$15/hour

Come practice with a Garmin 430 while on the ground to become familiar with the planes instruments (does not count towards flight time).