Thinking about becoming a pilot? Start here.
FREE Pilot Roadmap Session
The Pilot Roadmap Session is a FREE, 45-minute, in-person visit to Fly North at Aurora State Airport. You tour the school, meet instructors, get a clear plan of your training cost and timeline, and fly your first lesson in our Redbird flight simulator, before you spend a dollar.
What happens in your session
45 minutes, four steps
- Meet our team, tell us your goal. Career, travel, business, adventure, whatever you're considering.
- Tour the school. Meet our CFIs, walk the aircraft and see the airport up close.
- Build your roadmap. Lesson frequency, timeline, expected cost, financing and military options.
- Fly the simulator. Your first lesson in our Redbird FMX.
You leave with the Pilot Journey booklet and a clear next step. No obligation.
FREE? What's the catch?
We were once where you are, and we remember how overwhelming it felt to figure out where to start. The session gives you an honest picture of the training, timeline and cost before you spend money. We even cover the simulator time.
If Fly North feels like the right fit, great. If not, you still leave with a clearer path forward.
"I didn't come from an aviation family. There's just so much to it. All these buttons inside the cockpit, it was a little overwhelming at first."
Jacob"My instructors were probably the biggest reason for staying, because they had more confidence in me than I had for myself."
Jessica"You never move forward without taking that first step. So I say just take the first step."
AndrewQuestions everyone asks
Do I have the confidence to be a pilot?
Everyone starts with zero flight time. You begin in the simulator, then fly with an instructor whose job is your safety and your pace.
What does it cost to become a pilot?
A private pilot certificate typically runs $13,000–$18,000, about 70 flight hours. We map your exact numbers in the session.
Do I need my own plane?
No. You train in our wide fleet of over 15 airplanes with our instructors.
Should I do this or a Discovery Flight?
The Roadmap Session is FREE and uses the simulator. A Discovery Flight is $299 in a real airplane. Many people do both, back to back.
Last updated October 2026