AviPrep
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How it works

The flexible, more affordable path to becoming a pilot.

AviPrep is a pure Part 61 training platform. You pick your own certified flight instructor, pay per lesson with no upfront commitment, and we track your hours, milestones, and checkride readiness in one place. This page walks through the whole thing.

The model in 60 seconds

  1. 1

    You sign up and tell us your goal

    Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, or Discovery flight. We use that to recommend instructors and shape your training roadmap.

  2. 2

    You pick your CFI

    Browse certified flight instructors near your home airport. Read reviews, check experience, message them with questions before you book. Switch anytime if it doesn't click.

  3. 3

    You book lessons one at a time

    Pay per lesson. Ground school over video, flight lessons at the airport, or both. No bundled commitment, no $20k loan to start.

  4. 4

    AviPrep tracks everything automatically

    After every lesson, your hours, syllabus progress, and checkride-ready estimate update in your dashboard. You always know where you are and how close you are to the practical test.

  5. 5

    When you're ready for the checkride, find your examiner here too

    AviPrep also lists DPEs (Designated Pilot Examiners) so you can book your practical test on the same platform.

What you get in your dashboard

Structured PPL syllabus

A 20-section ground curriculum and a 20-step flight progression with milestone gates. Your CFI marks items covered as you go. Switch CFIs anytime and your record follows you.

Checkride readiness estimate

A live "weeks to ready" prediction based on hours flown, syllabus completion, milestone gates, and your actual lesson cadence. Updates after every lesson so you always know how close you are.

AI lesson recap

After every ground lesson, your CFI's notes become a clean recap of what you covered, what you nailed, and what to drill next.

Flight data from ADS-B

AviPrep matches each flight lesson from FR24 and renders the track as an interactive 3D map. Tap any point for speed and altitude, with phases of flight detected automatically and recapped by your CFI.

Free written-test prep

FAA-style knowledge test questions, the full PHAK, AIM, and ACS in-app. No upsell.

Cost calculator

See what your full training costs broken down by instruction, aircraft, and exams. Compare AviPrep vs a typical school in 30 seconds.

How payment works

Ground lessons

Charged immediately when booked. Most ground lessons are over video, so you pay the CFI's hourly rate × the session length.

Flight lessons

Your card gets an authorization at booking covering estimated CFI instruction time plus aircraft rental, with a buffer for schedule slip. When the lesson closes out and the CFI enters actual Hobbs time, AviPrep captures the real amount from the authorization. You pay for what you actually flew. Nothing more.

Discovery flights

A one-time intro experience, typically 30–60 minutes at the controls with a CFI alongside. Flat fee paid up front. A good gut check before you commit to training.

Aircraft

You don't need to own a plane. Your CFI sources the airplane through their flying club or school partnership. The aircraft rental rolls into your lesson cost. You'll see it as a line item.

Common questions

What's the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 training?

Part 61 is flexible: you pay per lesson, train at your own pace, and pick your own CFI. Part 141 schools follow a structured curriculum approved by the FAA and typically require a bundled tuition commitment up front. AviPrep is a Part 61 platform. Most students finish in a similar number of hours, but with much more control over schedule and cost.

How long does it take to get my Private Pilot certificate?

The national average is 65–75 flight hours. Time-wise, expect 6–12 months at a part-time pace (2–3 lessons per week), 2–4 months going full-time. The cost calculator lets you plug in your pace and see a personal estimate.

Do I need a medical certificate to start?

A discovery flight does not require a medical. Solo flight does. Most students get a 3rd-class medical or BasicMed before their first lesson to avoid any later surprises. Your CFI will guide you when the time comes.

What if I already have flight hours?

Add your starting hours in your dashboard settings. AviPrep counts them against the FAA Part 61 minimums and adjusts your projected checkride date.

Can I switch CFIs?

Yes, anytime. Your training history, hours, milestones, recaps, and full syllabus progress stay tied to your AviPrep account, not your CFI. Your new CFI sees the full record and picks up where the last one left off.

What if a weather day cancels my lesson?

Reschedule directly from the lesson detail page. Ground lessons are still flyable on weather days — your CFI can run weather decision-making, navigation, or written test prep over video.

Does AviPrep work outside the US?

The platform is US-focused for now. ADS-B coverage and FR24 matching are best in the US. International expansion is on the roadmap.

Ready to start?

Browse instructors near you, run your numbers in the cost calculator, or take the 30-second readiness quiz to get matched.

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AviPrep is an online marketplace connecting student pilots with independent flight instructors, flight schools, and aircraft operators. AviPrep does not own, operate, maintain, or insure any aircraft, and does not employ any instructor. All flight instruction, discovery flights, and aircraft rental are provided by independent third parties. See our Terms of Service for complete details, including assumption of risk, release of claims, and liability limitations.