Courses

We offer a full menu of instruction options from private, instrument and commercial to multiengine, ATP and CFI ratings, with tailored ground schools for accelerated learning opportunities.

Train In the Heart of the Rocky Mountains!

One of the greatest features of our location in Bozeman is something we simply can't take credit for: Montana's big sky. No wonder Montana is often called "God's country." The scenery is incomparable when viewed from the vast blue skies. It's what inspires us to soar.

Bozeman is a small town with big energy. Perhaps best known for outdoor recreation, Bozeman also has the cultural amenities of a much larger city including a symphony, opera, and ballet companies. Our Downtown is vibrant

and bursting with locally-owned shops, restaurants and galleries. Two world-class ski resorts, Big Sky and Bridger Bowl are minutes from town.

Hiking, camping, biking, climbing, and fishing options are endless because Bozeman is surrounded by five mountain ranges including the Bridger, Tobacco Root, Big Belt, Gallatin and Madison ranges; plus, the famous blue-ribbon fly-fishing rivers of the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone are all within a half hour.

There is plenty of National Forest land to explore, and Yellowstone National Park is just 90 miles away.

So check out the classes below, and then give us a call!

Come fly with us!

Call today to get started: (406) 388-8359

Courses Offered

Private Pilot Training

Instrument Rating

Commercial Pilot Rating

Multi-Engine Rating

Intro to Mountain Flying

Mountain Flying Adventure Course

G1000 Training Course

Specialty Ground Schools

Private Pilot Training

Summit Aviation makes your dream of flight a reality! A Private Pilot Certificate will enable you to share your joy of flying with friends and family.

Training to become a pilot is a thrilling and rewarding adventure. You will learn the fundamentals of flight, navigation techniques, radio communication and other tools to make you a safe and confident pilot.

What you’ll learn

Aircraft Preflight Inspection
Radio & Cockpit Communications
Aircraft Systems
Navigation
Airport Operations
Emergency Procedures
Weight & Balance Calculations
Airport Traffic Patterns
Takeoffs & Landings
Required Maneuvers
Airspace Restrictions
Federal Aviation Regulations
Night Flight
Cross-Country Flight

Course requirements

Ground Instruction (minimum):

35 Hours Ground Instruction

Eligibility:

17 years of age (any age to begin)
Current FAA Medical
Current FAA Student Pilot Certificate

Flight Instruction (minimum):

35 Hours Flight Instruction

Other requirements:

FAA Written Exam
FAA Flight Exam
Books and Supplies

Instrument Rating

Maybe you want to take a trip involving flight into the clouds, or perhaps you just want to refine your skills. The Instrument Rating training is your solution!

Summit Aviation's Instrument Rating Course is designed to provide ground and flight training necessary to successfully complete the FAA required knowledge and skill tests for an Instrument Rating. Our staff are experts in providing instrument training in both glass cockpit and steam gauge aircraft and can prepare you for instrument flight in anything from the classics to the advanced. With the concurrent use of aircraft and our FAA approved simulator, we can assure that you will succeed in gaining the skills required to fly more precisely.

What you’ll learn

Meteorology
Holding Patterns
NDB Approaches
GPS Approaches ILS / LOC / PAR / ASR
Flight Planning
ATC Procedures
Departures / Enroute / Arrivals
VOR Approaches
Instruments / Systems
Emergency Procedures

Course requirements

Ground Instruction (minimum):

30 Hours Ground Instruction

Eligibility:

Private Pilot Certificate
Current FAA Medical

Other requirements:

FAA Written Exam
FAA Flight Exam
Books and Supplies

Flight Instruction (minimum):

35 Hours Instrument Flight Training
14 can be in our Advanced Aviation Training Devices (Simulator)

Commercial Pilot Rating

The Commercial Pilot Certificate is much more than just being able to fly for hire.

A commercial pilot must be professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and confident. Here at Summit Aviation, we will help you gain these traits and make you not only a better pilot, but a professional pilot.

What you’ll learn

Multi-Engine Training
Commercial Regulations: Privileges and Restrictions
Abnormal Procedures and Commercial Flight Operations
Complex Aircraft Training
Crew Resource Management
In-Flight Maneuvers
Emergency Procedures

Course requirements

Ground Instruction (minimum):

35 Hours Ground Instruction

Eligibility:

18 years of age
Private Pilot Certificate
Instrument Rating
Current FAA Medical

Flight Instruction (minimum):

190 Hours Total Flight Time

Other requirements:

FAA Written Exam
FAA Flight Exam
Books and Supplies

Multi-Engine Rating

Take the traditional route, or get your Multi-Engine Rating in just a few days with our accelerated course right here in the beautiful rocky mountains!

Regardless of whether a pilot wants to fly a personal multi-engine aircraft or an advanced Boeing 777 for a large airline, a multi-engine rating is an absolute must.

Utilizing the cutting edge Diamond DA-42NG Twin Star aircraft, we can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to fly an advanced multi-engine airplane at a reasonable cost. Within one flight, you will realize the great benefits of two engines and the thrill of flying an advanced twin engine aircraft such as the Twin Star!

What you’ll learn

Aircraft Systems
Normal procedures
Multi-engine aerodynamics
Single Engine procedures
Multi-Engine Maneuvers
Abnormal and Emergency Procedures

Course requirements

Eligibility:

Private Pilot Certificate
Current FAA Medical

Other requirements:

FAA Flight Exam
Books and Supplies

Intro to Mountain Flying

Mountain flying knowledge and actual mountain experience are crucial when flying in the Western United States.

What you’ll learn

Confined Area Takeoffs and Landings
Updrafts, Downdrafts
Mountain Wave
Dealing with High Density Altitude
Crossing Ridges
Canyon Turns
Turning Stalls
Unusual Attitude Recovery
Slow Flight in Multiple Configurations
Emergency Considerations and Survival Equipment
Navigation and Flight Planning
Aircraft Performance
Mountain Meteorology
Local flight to experience ridge crossings, tight canyon turns, and apply lessons learned in ground training
Cross-country flight through passes and canyons to land at a mountain airstrip where the approach is always dynamic

Course requirements

Other requirements:

Books and Supplies

Mountain Flying Adventure Course

Mountain flying knowledge and actual mountain experience are crucial when flying in the Western United States.

At minimum, any pilot wishing to fly in rugged terrain should take a basic mountain flying course. At Summit Aviation, you can train with instructors who learned and fly daily in mountainous terrain. We will customize your training based on your experience, aircraft, and comfort level. Mountain training can be obtained in either your aircraft or ours. Our Mountain Flying Adventure Course contains a detailed ground school covering the topics below from our Intro to Mountain Flying Course, PLUS 2 additional cross-country flights to challenge you. The first is a daring flight over the majestic Yellowstone National Park enroute to West Yellowstone, WY; the second is to Driggs, ID, which is snuggled up tightly against the massive Teton Mountain range and will surely test your skills. If you're seeking a less in-depth mountain flying experience, please check out our Intro to Mountain Flying Course!

What you’ll learn

Confined Area Takeoffs and Landings
Updrafts, Downdrafts
Mountain Wave
Dealing with High Density Altitude
Crossing Ridges
Canyon Turns
Turning Stalls
Unusual Attitude Recovery
Slow Flight in Multiple Configurations
Emergency Considerations and Survival Equipment
Navigation and Flight Planning
Aircraft Performance
Mountain Meteorology
Local flight to experience ridge crossings, tight canyon turns, and apply lessons learned in ground training
Cross-country flight through passes and canyons to land at a mountain airstrip where the approach is always dynamic

Course requirements

Other requirements

Books and Supplies

G1000 Training Course

Learn the G1000 with Summit Aviation while enjoying all the Rocky Mountain Northwest has to offer.

At first glance, the G1000 can seem complex and intimidating. Our transition course will train you to operate this system simply and efficiently, making "glass-cockpits" intimidating no more. If you're a proud new owner of a Technically Advanced Airplane, want to rent one of ours, or just want to see what the G1000 is all about, this course is for you. Spend a weekend with us in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and take your flying to the next level! We offer both Diamond and Cessna Factory Approved Training!

Learning to fly in highly advanced training aircraft is just one of the benefits of making Summit Aviation your flight school.

What you’ll learn

IFR and VFR G1000 Procedures
Line Replaceable Units
MFD Operation
Transponder
VNAV
Traffic Advisory System
Emergency Procedures
Enroute Nav
Holding Patterns
Differences Training
PFD Operation
Communications
Flight Plan Navigation
Data Weather Link
Terrain Avoidance
GFC 700/KAP 140 Autopilot use
Instrument Approaches

Course requirements

In the Classroom:

8 hours of ground on the G1000 System and VFR Procedures (G1000 IFR Procedures for IFR pilots only)

Practicing Knobology:

4 Hours G1000 Familiarization instruction in our AATD

Using the System:

4 Hours G1000 instructional application in our aircraft or your own

Other requirements:

G1000 Training Materials

Specialty Ground Schools

We are proud to offer several specialty ground courses ranging from Private Pilot through ATP, as well as a myriad of topics including Mountain Flying, Aviation Weather and beyond! Accelerated course options are also available. If you don't see a desired course listed, please inquire- we are happy to conduct custom courses to meet your specific needs!

Private Pilot Ground Course: Prepares you for the FAA Knowledge exam. Although not required to take the exam at the end of the course, you should have all of the knowledge to pass if you choose to.

Instrument Pilot Ground Course: Prepares you for the FAA Knowledge exam. Although not required to take the exam at the end of the course, you should have all of the knowledge to pass if you choose to.

Instrument Refresher Ground Course: An excellent course for those who need to brush up on their knowledge and shake the dust off their instrument procedures knowledge.

Aviation Weather Ground Course: An incredibly valuable course for pilots of all levels, with special emphasis on mountain-related weather conditions.

Mountain Flying Ground Course: This course is for more experienced pilots, but even if you're new to flying don't let that count you out. This course covers critical aspects of flying in mountainous terrain and will satisfy the ground portion needed to complete our full Mountain Flying Course.

What you’ll learn

Subject matter is course-specific

Course requirements

Other Requirements

Books and supplies

Lightspeed Affiliate

Summit Aviation is proud to partner with Lightspeed to offer you high quality pilot products.

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What can we do for you?

Feel free to contact us with any questions you have.

We're happy to help!