Frequently Asked Questions

No previous flight training is required. Whether you want to fly for enjoyment or pursue an aviation career, we can help you get started.

If you have never tried flying, we recommend a discovery flight first. When ready, contact your discovery instructor or submit the form on our Contact Us page and say you are ready to train. Our onboarding team will reach out.

Sevin Aviation has no minimum enrollment age. For airplane training, you must be 16 to fly solo and 17 to earn a Private Pilot Certificate, with other FAA requirements met. Some start at 16 aiming to earn their certificate on their 17th birthday, subject to readiness and examiner availability.

Absolutely! You do not need career ambitions. Our Private Pilot training is a starting point for personal travel and enjoyment as well as professional training.

No degree is required to enroll or pursue our Airline Career Pathway. A bachelor's degree may strengthen an airline application, but is not required by every airline. Employer requirements vary and may change.

Career-bound students are strongly encouraged to obtain an FAA First-Class Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) before investing significantly. This helps establish current medical eligibility for your intended career. First-class certification is not required to begin lessons.

We recommend Dr. Earl Martin, with offices in Conroe and Tomball. Contact us for referral information.

Not to begin lessons with an instructor, but you will need one before solo. Apply early through FAA IACRA. Your instructor can help with the process.

Bring:

• Government-issued photo ID.
• Proof of citizenship or applicable eligibility documentation. U.S. citizens may use a valid U.S. passport or a qualifying U.S. birth certificate accompanied by government photo ID.
• FAA medical certificate, if obtained.
• Student pilot certificate, if issued.
• Logbook for evaluation of prior training credit.

Non-U.S. citizens should contact us before enrolling about immigration documentation and required TSA approval. A passport alone does not establish training eligibility.

Complete the onboarding packet and provide proof of active non-owned aircraft renters insurance with at least $50,000 hull coverage. Our team will help you through onboarding. See our recommended insurance provider.

We welcome inquiries, subject to immigration status and applicable TSA and FAA requirements.

We do not issue Form I-20. Required TSA Flight Training Security Program provider registration and student approval must be completed before training.

Use our Contact Us page before purchasing training or arranging travel so we can discuss eligibility and whether we can accommodate your training. Confirm immigration permission with a qualified immigration professional if uncertain.

If taller than 6 feet 4 inches, visit to sit in the aircraft before committing so you can confirm fit and access to controls. No fixed maximum individual weight applies, but every flight must meet aircraft weight and balance limits. Fuel, aircraft selection and guests may be affected. Contact us for a fit check.

Costs depend on your goals, flying frequency and time needed to become proficient. Visit our Training Costs page for current pricing and planning information.

You pay Sevin Aviation for aircraft time and instructor time. Aircraft rates include fuel: a wet rate. Separate costs include supplies, ground school, PSI knowledge exams and DPE practical test fees. We sell optional, strongly encouraged maneuvers guides and discounted Sporty's ground school. See Training Costs page and training materials.

No. Pay as you go or deposit funds upfront for charges to be deducted. To schedule and dispatch, maintain at least $250 for flight lessons or $100 for ground lessons. Pay-as-you-go students cover lesson charges while maintaining the applicable minimum balance.

Not currently. We are working with financial institutions to explore loan options. Contact us for the latest availability.

We accept Zelle, Venmo, ACH, credit cards, checks and cash. Cards incur 3% plus $0.30 per transaction. Fund Flight Schedule Pro before lesson completion through another accepted method to avoid card fees.

A negative balance does not trigger an immediate card charge, but unresolved negative balances are eventually charged to the card on file, with processing fees. See minimum balances.

No. You pay for lessons and required supplies. See Training Costs page and our supplies checklist.

Cancel a flight lesson at least 24 hours before start without a fee or reason. Within 24 hours, provide an excusable reason and obtain approval to avoid a fee. Weather, maintenance and other issues preventing completion are excused.

• Unexcused late cancellation: $100.
• No-call, no-show: 50% of lesson price.

Contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Yes, anytime. After an extended break, expect some loss of proficiency and possible review or repeated training. That may add time and cost. Your instructor will help determine where to resume.

Yes, upon request, with no refund fee. Allow 5–7 business days for funds to appear in your account. Discovery purchases are separately nonrefundable.

Our Airline Career Pathway combines Private Pilot, Instrument and Commercial training. Standalone courses: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot. Optional additions include CFI and CFII. We also offer spin training, flight reviews, IPCs and checkride preparation. See Training Costs page.

Plan approximately 12 months from Private Pilot through CFII with consistent lessons and preparation. Progress, scheduling, weather, aircraft and examiner availability affect timing. CFI and CFII are optional additions beyond the Private, Instrument and Commercial courses in the Career Pathway.

Yes. Standard courses allow a pace fitting your goals. Estimates assume about three completed flights weekly. More frequent flying and consistent preparation can help you finish sooner, subject to proficiency, operational availability and checkride scheduling.

Yes, including evening and weekend availability. Limited availability generally means a longer timeline than full-time training. Consistent lessons and home study help maintain progress; we can help build a realistic schedule.

Not currently, but we can recommend other providers. Ask your instructor or our team.

Select Book a Discovery Flight, choose an option and purchase through Flight Schedule Pro. An instructor then contacts you to coordinate participant and aircraft availability. Purchase does not itself confirm a specific date or time.

• 30 minutes: an introduction for anyone curious about flying.
• 60 minutes: more depth for those considering pilot careers, with more time at the controls.

Book a Discovery Flight to choose your option.

Yes—you take the controls under your instructor's guidance! Both options offer hands-on flying time. The 60-minute option provides more. Book a Discovery Flight.

Dress for weather and outdoor activity. Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended, especially to take the controls.

A guest may join if aircraft weight and balance remain within limits. Discuss with your instructor during scheduling so accommodation can be confirmed beforehand.

Absolutely! Book a Discovery Flight using your own contact information. When staff reaches out, explain it is a gift. We will discuss the actual recipient and coordinate next steps.

Yes, including gifts: 12 months from purchase. Complete the flight within that period. Purchases are nonrefundable; rescheduling follows our cancellation policy.

No. Discovery purchases, including gifts, are nonrefundable. Reschedule with at least 24 hours' notice without a fee. With shorter notice, an excusable reason must be approved to avoid a fee. See rescheduling details.

Yes:

• At least 24 hours' notice: no cancellation fee.
• Less than 24 hours: approved excusable reason needed to avoid $100 late fee.
• No-call, no-show: 50% of discovery price.

Approved weather or maintenance cancellations are free. If a fee is deducted from prepaid discovery funds, you must replenish that amount before the rescheduled flight, restoring the full purchase amount. Flights must be used within 12 months of purchase.

Office: 8319 Thora Ln, Hangar E2, Spring, TX 77379. Meet there unless your instructor arranges otherwise. Aircraft may be parked elsewhere; your instructor will take you to the plane.

Contact your instructor ahead for the gate code. Park along the side of the hangar.

Absolutely! Visit classroom areas and the fleet by appointment so staff can show you around. Arrange via our Contact Us page.

Complete the form on our Contact Us page and choose text or call. A team member will reach out using your preference.

Yes, subject to instructor and aircraft availability, to help fit training around your commitments.

Use Flight Schedule Pro, or ask for a more structured schedule supporting your timeline. Book one to two weeks ahead for preferred times. Aircraft and instructors are first come, first served.

Typically a two-hour appointment block, not two hours of airborne time. Cross-country and select lessons require longer appointments. Your instructor will help plan.

Recommend three to four bookings weekly, aiming to complete about three despite weather, maintenance or other interruptions. More or less frequent training is allowed. Consistency supports retention and the estimated timeline.

Your instructor may convert to a ground lesson or cancel, based on your progress and whether ground instruction would be useful. We will not require unnecessary ground lessons just to fill the schedule. Weather cancellations carry no cancellation fee; completed ground lessons use standard instructor rates.

Stay in regular direct contact with your instructor. Also use the Flight Schedule Pro app to monitor reservations and changes such as unscheduled maintenance.

Plan to obtain:

• Aviation headset.
• Cellular-capable iPad; no active cellular plan needed.
• ForeFlight subscription, including electronic logbook.
• Paper logbook if not using ForeFlight's logbook.
• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK).
• View-limiting device such as Foggles.
• E6B flight computer.
• Current paper sectional chart.
• Approved online ground school, such as Sporty's or King Schools.

We sell optional, strongly encouraged maneuvers guides and offer discounted Sporty's access. Ask your instructor before purchase to select suitable supplies. See when to purchase supplies.

We recommend before the first lesson, allowing time to review and arrive prepared. Study and questions at home make paid instruction more productive and can reduce total time and cost.

Yes: non-owned aircraft renters insurance with at least $50,000 hull coverage, active before the first flight lesson. Provide proof during onboarding. An annual policy may save compared with monthly coverage. See our recommended provider.

We recommend AssuredPartners, a Gallagher company, based on our positive service and pricing experience. Visit their Aircraft Renters Insurance page for coverage and quotes. Your policy must include at least $50,000 non-owned aircraft hull coverage and be active before the first flight lesson.

No uniform purchase required. Wear practical clothing suited to weather and safe movement.

• Closed-toe shoes required.
• Shorts and short sleeves welcome in Houston's warm weather.
• Overly baggy clothing prohibited to avoid catching on aircraft components during preflight and lessons.

Combine in-person instructor lessons and an approved online course such as Sporty's or King Schools. Online study is self-paced; instructor lessons apply concepts and address questions. Ask about our Sporty's discount before purchasing.

Sporty's online course can be completed away from our facility, including before arriving. All instructor-led ground lessons are in person; none are remote. Online study complements rather than replaces those lessons.

Budget 10–15+ hours weekly. A general guideline is two hours study or chair flying per actual flight hour. Chair flying mentally rehearses procedures as if in the cockpit. Reading, online study and review help you arrive prepared and can reduce overall costs.

Piper Cherokee, Warrior and Archer, depending on availability and training plan.

You receive a primary instructor for continuity. If unavailable, you may fly with another to maintain progress. If the primary instructor is not a good fit, you may request a change.

Yes. Usually a ground evaluation and evaluation flight, alongside your records, establish course placement with credit toward applicable lessons and identify gaps to address.

Your instructor explains a topic using model aircraft, whiteboard drawings of systems and airspace, and other aids. Participate and ask questions. Take notes, photos or use the retention methods that work for you.

Learn preflight inspection and safety checks, then checklists, engine start, taxi and takeoff under instructor guidance, with increasing responsibility as skills grow. The instructor observes and notes performance. Debrief covers strengths, improvements and what to study for next time.

We encourage keeping regular lessons dedicated to learning without distractions. Book a discovery flight to share the experience instead. Guest accommodation must be arranged ahead and fit aircraft weight and balance limits.

We are a flight school, not a general rental company. Fleet is reserved for training. Enrolled students may rent for certificate-related time building, such as Commercial requirements. Coordinate your instructor.

We combine Part 61 flexibility and a structured, staged syllabus. Chief-pilot stage checks confirm learning, evaluate skills and identify gaps before advancing. Multiple evaluations by different instructors before checkride day provide feedback and help develop proficiency, confidence and professional habits.

Yes, at standard aircraft and instructor rates. Stage checks are factored into estimates and provide feedback for students and primary instructors before advanced topics.

Instructors can suggest areas to improve. Schedule a specific lesson to revisit or a general flight, telling your instructor what to work on. Together, strengthen skills and confidence before advancing.

Extra practice is normal. Lessons can be repeated until you and your instructor are comfortable with progress. Additional lessons are billed through your account at standard aircraft and instructor rates. Total cost depends on extra training needed. See Training Costs page.

Readiness is based on proficiency, not a fixed lesson count. Meet applicable FAA requirements and demonstrate safe operation without your instructor beside you. Your instructor assesses knowledge, skills and judgment, provides required endorsements and sets conditions and limitations. Everyone progresses differently; safe, confident solo flight is the goal.

Yes, personalized assistance in Sevin Aviation's fleet, tailored to experience and needs rather than a separate structured course. Use our Contact Us page to discuss.

No. All flight instruction is in Sevin Aviation aircraft only, not student-owned or outside aircraft.

No facility simulator. We suggest X-Plane or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for optional home practice. Ask your instructor how to reinforce current lessons and correct procedures.

Applicable FAA knowledge exams and practical tests (checkrides) depend on the certificate or rating. Visit Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI or CFII for specifics. Your instructor helps you prepare.

After your instructor confirms readiness, evaluates preparation and understanding, and provides any required endorsement. Coordinate before booking.

Yes, we can coordinate with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). You may contact a preferred DPE directly. Coordinate your instructor before confirming dates to account for readiness, endorsements and aircraft availability.

Review results and deficiencies with your instructor and prepare for another attempt. Once deficiencies are addressed satisfactorily, the instructor gives the go-ahead and any required retest endorsement.

Extra training uses standard rates and your account balance. Reload using accepted payment methods.

• Written: pay for another PSI test.
• Checkride: the DPE sets fees and payment instructions. Many request cash on test day; confirm directly.

Class or individual ground instruction per plan, plus dedicated Q&A with an instructor to assess understanding and practice accurate, clear responses.

Answer the question, then pause. Be complete without wandering into unrelated topics; the examiner can ask for detail. See Additional Flight Training.

Yes, anyone purchasing the course is welcome. Some content follows our syllabus and is more familiar to Sevin students. See Additional Flight Training.

Yes, tailored to experience, recent flying and proficiency. Standard reviews generally require at least one hour ground and one hour flight training. More may be needed before satisfactory completion is endorsed. See Additional Flight Training.

Yes, for instrument-rated pilots seeking to regain instrument currency. Required tasks and proficiency govern completion. Duration varies with preparation, experience and recent flying. See Additional Flight Training.

Use our Contact Us page, specifying the service. Staff will onboard you. A Flight Schedule Pro profile is needed before scheduling even without course enrollment.

Absolutely. Instructor assessment determines personalized refresher ground and flight work. Endorsements are issued only after required standards are met. Extra training may be needed to restore proficiency and meet requirements for intended flying. Tell us your experience and time away through our Contact Us page.

Yes, ground and flight instruction associated with a spin endorsement for initial CFI applicants. See Additional Flight Training and contact us to arrange.

Students completing both CFI and CFII plus at least one of Private Pilot, Instrument Rating or Commercial Pilot with Sevin Aviation are guaranteed a flight instructor job interview.

Employment is not guaranteed. Qualifications, market conditions and staffing needs govern hiring.

Yes. Students receive application guidance, practical tips and general interview preparation throughout training. We do not currently offer a separate paid airline interview course.