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About Florida Aviation

For over 30-years, Florida Aviation Career Training has trained professional pilots and has been in continuous operation since its organization in 1990.

Everyone at Florida Aviation is committed to your success.

Florida Aviation Career Training, Inc. (FACT) traces it’s background to the St Augustine flight school operated by Mr Jim Moser and has been in continuous operation since its organization in 1990.

FACT achieved Part 141 FAA certification on July 18, 1991 and has remained FAR 141 compliant since that time, making it the oldest and most experienced Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved flight school at the St. Augustine airport.

Approved by the Federal Aviation Administration

Florida Aviation Career Training

Equipment, Space And Facilities

FACT is located at 4900 US 1 North, Suite 200 on the St. Augustine, FL Airport. The telephone number is (904) 824-9401. Fax number is (904) 829-1631.
Hours of operation are: 0800 – 1800 7 days a week.

Enrollment is accomplished at any time of the year during regular office hours. Flight training and ground school may be conducted on legal holidays, and before or after regular office hours by prior arrangements. All flight training is conducted in the following aircraft:

QtyTypeHP
3Cessna 152110
1Cessna 172II160
1Cessna 172180
1Cessna 172SP180
2Piper PA28-161160
1Beechcraft Sierra200 (Complex – Retractable Gear)
1Piper PA34-200200/200 (Complex –Twin Engine)
1Cessna 210K300 (Complex – Retractable Gear)
1Taylorcraft BC12-D165

Airport (SGJ)

Where we operate

St. Augustine/ St. Johns County Airport is the main operating base for training in all courses. The airport has 3 hard surfaced runways and meets the requirements of FAR 141.38 for day and night operations. Flight Instructors are also authorized to conduct training activity such as landings and various types of approaches with students at the following airports:

  • Jacksonville International
  • Craig Field
  • Herlong Field
  • Fernandina Beach Airport
  • Palatka Kay Larkin Airport
  • Gainesville Regional Airport
  • Ocala Regional Airport

Other airports which meet the requirements of FAR 141.38 may be utilized at the discretion of the Chief Flight Instructor.

Airport Facilities

Pilot Briefing Area

The St Augustine Airport FBO facility is equipped with a pilot briefing area, which includes a telephone for weather briefings as well as a weather radar display and computer DUATS access.

This facility is located approximately 100′ from FACT’s offices and may be utilized for flight planning. FACT also has a permanent structure within its facilities for flight planning with a telephone for contacting the Gainesville FSS. The facility is used exclusively by FACT renter pilots and student pilot.

The briefing area is equipped with planning desk to accommodate several pilots. The briefing area also has a full set of aeronautical planning charts, and large wall maps depicting the entire U. S. along with a mileage indicator. The local practice area is also shown and described on a detailed chart posted on the wall. Above facilities comply with FAR 141. 45.

Entrance Requirements

Where we operate

Entrance requirements are as specified in each Training Course Outline (TCO). For example, FAR 141 Appendix B paragraph 2 specifies that for a Private Pilot Certification Course a person must hold a student or recreational pilot certificate prior to enrolling in the flight portion of the course. No other enrollment considerations are considered.

Credit For Previous Training Under FAR Part 61

Students enrolling in any course offered by the school may be credited for previous flight and ground school instruction. Credit will be determined by the Chief Flight Instructor after a flight and oral evaluation check. Under no circumstances can a student be credited with more than 25% of the course curriculum as required by FAR Part 141.

Credit For Previous Training Under FAR Part 141

Provided the requirements of FAR Part 141 are met, students may be credited up to 50% for previous training received from any FAA Approved Pilot School, upon receipt of properly certified records. Credit will be determined by the Chief Flight Instructor after a flight and/or oral evaluation check. Students must have a record of training and letter of eligibility for enrollment.

Refund Of Tuition

Florida Aviation Career Training, Inc. will refund any portion of unapplied moneys deposited in Student’s account and not yet used for flying or ground lessons.

Attendance

  1. Students and instructors will be prompt for all flight and ground school schedules. Repeated tardiness will result in interruption of training.
  2. Failure to be present for three (3) consecutive flights and or class sessions without prior notification will result in interruption.
  3. A student who fails to flight train eighteen (18) hours per calendar quarter will be interrupted or terminated unless mitigating circumstances exist and are documented in the student’s file.
  4. Those students interrupted or terminated for unsatisfactory attendance must be counseled by the Chief Flight Instructor prior to reenrollment.

Standards Of Progress

  1. All student training will meet the requirements of FAR Part 61 and Part 141.
  2. Student progress will be monitored by the Chief Flight Instructor as outlined in FAR Part 141, and recorded in the student’s training file.
  3. Grading standards for Flight and Ground Training are as follows:
    1. Excellent
    2. Above Average
    3. Average
    4. Below Average
    5. Below Acceptable Standards

    Students must satisfactorily complete Stage exams prior to Stage checks, and flights may not be completed out of stage.

  4. A student who fails to meet the minimum requirements of FAR Part 61 and Part 141 will be interrupted or terminated from the program at the discretion of the Chief Flight Instructor.
  5. If the student demonstrates an overall performance of Failure in two consecutive flights he will be counseled and evaluated by the Chief Flight Instructor.
  6. After evaluation and counseling the student must show improvement to Average within the next three flights. If he/she does not, he/she will be reevaluated by the Chief Flight Instructor. A performance of Failure on the reevaluation will result in dismissal for unsatisfactory progress from the course. Any student that requires additional flight time in excess of 10% of the total flight hours contained in the course will be considered unsatisfactory and will be terminated from the program.
  7. Those students dismissed for unsatisfactory progress must be counseled by the Chief Flight Instructor before reenrollment.
  8. Those students being dismissed for reasons other than unsatisfactory progress must be counseled by the Chief Flight Instructor prior to reenrollment.
  9. Records of all flight and ground training will be itemized on proper logs; will bear the signature of each student; and will be certified by his/her instructor. A copy will be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years and a copy given to the student.
  10. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded by the school to every student upon successful completion of each course.

Student Conduct

  1. Students will at all times conduct themselves as a gentleman or lady.
  2. Students will at all times respect the privacy of other students in class and not interfere with students in study periods.
  3. The consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on flight school property is not authorized.
  4. Violation of Federal Aviation Regulations due to willful neglect, may result in dismissal from training as evaluated by the Chief Instructor.
  5. Those students dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct must be counseled by a VA Psychologist and the Chief Flight Instructor before reenrollment.

Safety Precautions And Procedures

  1. Weather Minimums:
    1. Solo Students/Local Training Area or Pattern work:
      1500 FT Ceiling/5 SM Visibility/Max 16 KTS wind or 8 KTS crosswind unless specifically authorized in writing by the student’s instructor.
    2. Solo Student Cross Country:
      Forecast for destination airport and St. Augustine Airport 2 hours before to 2 hours after estimated time of arrival to be at least 3000 FT Ceiling/5 SM Visibility/Max 16 KTS wind or 8 KTS crosswind.
    3. Dual Instructional Flights:
      As determined by the Flight Instructor but no less than VFR conditions.
  2. All pilots shall ensure area clearance in front of aircraft prior to starting. Pilots shall use caution and taxi slowly to avoid obstacles and other aircraft on the flight line at all times.
  3. All pilots shall be familiar with locations of fire extinguishers and checked out in their use in case of fire during starting and at other times.
  4. Unscheduled Landings:
    1. On/Off airports – Contact FACT Dispatcher /Flight Instructor at (904) 824-9401 as soon as possible after landing and request further instructions.
    2. All aircraft contain an Emergency Kit containing phone numbers, procedures list, First Aid kit and other emergency equipment.
  5. All pilots shall list aircraft discrepancies on a Discrepancy Report form located in the aircraft dispatch area. All outstanding discrepancies shall be reviewed by the Chief of Maintenance for release. Aircraft shall not be flown with a downing discrepancy.
  6. All aircraft shall be properly secured after each flight.
  7. Fuel Reserves:
    1. Local
      • Cessna 152 / 14 gallon minimum before flight
      • Cessna 172 / 30 gallon minimum before flight
      • PA28-161 / 34 gallon minimum before flight
      • PA28R-201 / 50 gallon minimum before flight
      • PA34-200 / 50 gallon minimum before flight
    2. Cross-country Flights – Maximum fuel allowable under weight and balance requirements. All student cross-country flights will refuel at each stop, consistent with weight and balance requirements.
    3. All VFR flights shall allow for a one (1) hour fuel reserve.
    4. All IFR flights shall meet requirements of FAR Part 91.
  8. Minimum Altitudes:
    1. All flights except as listed below and for take off and landing: 1000 AGL or above the highest obstacle within 2000 FT horizontal distance from the aircraft.
    2. Ground Reference Maneuvers: Non-populated areas only, not less than 800′ AGL or above the highest obstacle within a 2000 FT horizontal distance of the aircraft.
    3. Stalls: Non-populated areas only, not less than 2000 AGL or above the highest obstacle within a 2000 horizontal distance of the aircraft.
    4. Simulated Emergency Landings: Dual Instructional Flights Only, to not less than 500 AGL or 1000 FT above the highest obstacle within a 2000 FT horizontal distance of the aircraft over non-populated areas. Simulated Engine Failures may be exercised to the surface of an approved airport at the discretion of the CFI. Solo flights are prohibited from practicing simulated engine emergencies.
  9. All flights shall exercise collision and wake turbulence avoidance procedures in flight and on the ground.
  10. Practice Area: The “Practice Area” is that area that is Northwest of the St Augustine Airport bounded on the East side by Interstate 95; on the North side by the NAS Jacksonville traffic area which extends to approximately the mouth of Julington Creek on the St Johns River; on the West side by the St Johns River; on the South side by a line running due East from the Shands bridge at Green Cove Springs back to I-95.

We understand that where you learn to fly is an important decision – Let us help!

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FACT is located in beautiful European flavored St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States. St. Augustine offers you living history and 46 miles of Florida’s finest beaches.


FACT Instructors have a combined 210 years of flying experience, over 44,000 hours pilot in command time, and over 23,000 hours of instruction given.

Testimonials

What our lovely students think of us

As a very satisfied Florida Aviation customer since 2002 flying on basis of a validated license I returned in November 2012 to achieve the stand alone US private. Being quite restricted in my time the FACT crew rendered great support in terms of planning and organizing my training. Even though the weather was against us they managed the optimum possible training, adapting the schedule to the weather situation as often as necessary, couldn`t expect more, just perfect. Ground and flight training was of a high standard and so I did not only feel but indeed was very well prepared for the check flight. Thanks to the entire crew forming this great training facility which I highly recommend, not only but especially to foreign pilots.
Stefan HetmanekPilot and air traffic controller, northern Germany
I spent a few weeks in Florida for work and did an IPC with FACT while in town. The instructor was great, covering everything from local airspace and weather to his own experiences with Florida flying. We were also able to get in a day of flying in actual conditions, a must for any visiting pilot. I rented from FACT for the rest of my time in town and found the aircraft to be reliable and easy to book. If you're visiting from out of town, check these guys out.
Rick
I have been around many flight schools and finally I managed to come across FACT. I found the atmosphere to be very casual, relaxing, friendly but professional. I am eternally grateful to Donna and Randal for making my getting my FAA CPL/AMEL a reality. The school is honest and the prices are very manageable. Randal is a superb instructor, he is patient and he is always willing to help and orient during your training. I was very pleased to see my welcome placed on the front door the first day I arrived. That was very thoughtful. Thanks FACT for helping me obtain this very important rating. Now I am planning on moving on to bigger goals with FACT in mind of course.
Phillip
I must say that FACT has been among the best instructional experiences of my life. As a US Navy Aircrew veteran, I appreciate FACT's dedication to safe, effective training. The airplanes are well-maintained, and the scheduling is simple and flexible. One could fly all day every day, or twice a week for 6 months. Either way, FACT prepares their students for success. On-site Laser Grade testing is great, too. Clearly FACT is doing something right, as I know of two CFIs personally who were hired by airlines within just a year or two, after instructing with Florida Aviation.
Johnny Sumara
As an experienced private single engine VFR pilot and air traffic controller in southern Germany I chose Florida Aviation for upgrade training during visits in March & October 2011 as well as January and March 2012 . This decision turned to great success as Florida Aviation rendered great ground training, flight training as well as organizing testing and check flights. So I finally left with the US commercial, single, multi and IR. I could not have done any better at any other place. MANY THANKS TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED!! GREAT JOB!! I´ll be back again for holiday and of course fun flying !
Irmgard Hryk
I did my primary and multi engine training at Florida Aviation Career Training. Very personable and professional flight Instructors. St. Augustine is the ideal place for flight training or Leisure flying in general. The beaches are close and there are many destinations close by to fly to for training or enjoyment. Bjorn, the owner, is a delight to meet and converse with. If you are an aspiring pilot or a veteran aviator who seeks advanced training , Florida Aviation Career Training is my recommended flight training school of choice.
Chad Noda
As a german pilot holding my EASA-license in my hands for almost 6 month I was driven by YouTube-videos about flying in the US and the comparatively cheep rental fees. Therefor I decided to spend my last vacation in Florida. A friend of mine recommended FACT to me and I was not disappointed: It turned out that the staff was very helpful and experienced in the necessary validation process every foreign pilot needs to undergo before renting an aircraft in the US. Overall the flight training school is quite familiar, run by aviation ethusiasts sharing their rage for aviation with their customers and providing valuable tips. Special thanks to Shaher who even came around at the school in the early morning more than an hour before the official opening hours to get my check out done. I have never experienced such a great service in Germany and I can only recommend FACT! I am sure to come back again!
Jonas NawrathHamburg, Germany
In April 2012 I have finished my US-PPL at your school Florida Aviation Career Training (“FACT”), which has been recommended by Dr. Klaus Schwahn, on his website and I am happy to give you feedback on my training. FACT is in my opinion the first choice of flight schools in St. Augustine and I was wholly satisfied with the training. I would like to point out some points that in my opinion characterize your school and distinguish it from competitors: - The quality of the training is extremely high. All my flight instructors, Donna, Roger and Björn have been very committed and have prepared me very well for the check ride and the oral examination. - The atmosphere in your school is very good. I would call it even familial. I felt very comfortable from the very beginning, which I think is extremely important if you are in a foreign country. The airplanes are in a very good state and the fees are fair, particularly if compared to Germany. I was very impressed about the number of happy customers I met in St. Augustine. There were many flight students from Europe, which were all enthusiastic about the quality of the flight training in your school.
Klaus Ecker
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fact@florida-aviation.com

4900 US1 North Suite
200 Saint Augustine
Florida 32095 USA

(904) 824-9401

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