back of pilot flying

Why Become a Pilot?

A combination of factors such as mandatory retirement ages, COVID-induced early retirements, and the surging demand for pilots, indicates a pilot supply challenge in the aviation industry. Forecasts from experts suggest that, within the coming year or two, global demand for pilots will outstrip the available supply, and this trend is expected to persist over the next decade.

Pilots needed in the next 10 years
280,000
Pilots over 50 years old
38%
Pilots retiring in the next 10 years
45,000
Growth in pilot demand
39%

The time is now

Start Training Today

Contrary to popular belief, training to become a pilot is easier than ever. All it takes commitment, dedication, and a strong passion to study and gain the necessary skills.

Fly for fun.
Earning your wings let's you see the world in a new perspective. It's fun and the views are breathtaking.
Develop your skills.
Training to a pilot means developing and strengthening your critical thinking skills and aeronautical decision making.
Fly for a career.
As pilot demand goes up, so does pilot salaries making becoming a pilot a lucrative career choice.
Airliner Cockpit

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the requirements to start flying?

    Be at least 16 years old to get a student pilot certificate. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. You do not need an FAA medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for the first few lessons, but you will need get your medical certificate prior to soloing.

  • What is a Discovery Flight?

    A short introductory flight for anyone interested in learning about flying or taking the first step toward earning their pilot's license.

  • What should I bring to training?

    You've completed a Discovery Flight and are ready for your first lesson. A couple of basic things to have when starting flight training are: A headset and extra batteries (because you never know when your batteries can fail), a logbook, and a pen and paper for notes. Of course, you don't need to go out and buy a headset right away, we have rentals. Once you're more established with flying, you can build your flight bag as recommended and have the necessary tools you'll need for the rating you're working on.

  • What is a typical lesson like?

    For the minimum time of 2 hours, if you and the instructor go flying, you will have a short ground lesson and flight lesson brief, then fly and debrief at the end. The beginning ground lesson will cover the expected plan. Then your instructor will make sure that you have all of your documents uploaded to Flight Circle as well as the condition and availability of the aircraft. You will both then head out to the airplane for your flight lesson. Once you come back, you’ll debrief on the ramp, before heading back in to go over what you’ll be doing on your next lesson. Depending on how far you are in the syllabus and weather, you may have to receive ground instruction for an entire lesson.

  • What is ground school?

    Classroom learning. You will study aviation related topics such as aerodynamics, airport rules, aircraft instruments, and weather. This is one on one with your instructor. However, if there are enough students a group class will be offered.

  • How many hours does it take to get my private pilot license?

    That matters on your availability and how often you can fly. The FAA minimum for the private license is 40 hours but the national average is just over 65 hours.

Visit Blue Skies Above Today

We extend a warm invitation to you to visit Blue Skies Above and start a conversation with our knowledgeable team members. Committed to delivering exceptional flight training, we are located at Lanett Municipal Airport 7A3 which is in just west of I-85 right in between Georgia and Alabama. Come by our location and discover the exciting possibilities that await you at Blue Skies Above

7A3 - Lanett Municipal Airport

4445 51st Ave SW
Lanett, Alabama 36863
Blue Skies Above Team Picture

Become a pilot at Blue Skies Above

Our flight school welcomes aviators to Lanett, Alabama. The process is simple and only takes 3 steps to get started.

1. Meet The Team

Get in touch with a Blue Skies Team member. We'll learn what your aviation goals are and discuss how we can help reach those goals.

2. Visit Blue Skies Above

Visit our flight school and see our planes. Fly with one of our CFIs to start training and flying planes at Blue Skies Above.

3. Start Flying

Whether you're flying for a career or flying for fun, Blue Skies Above will help you acquire the skills and knowledge to become a safe proficient pilot.

We are the flight training experts in Lanett, AL

As the only flight school with a Cessna fleet in the area, we pride ourselves in training safe and highly proficient pilots. Come see what everyone's talking about! Visit Blue Skies Above and begin flight training today.