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!
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.
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. In our Intro to Mountain Flying course, a detailed ground school will cover the topics below, combined with valuable flight experience. If you're seeking a more in-depth mountain flying experience, please check out our Mountain Flying Adventure 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
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.
What can we do for you?
Feel free to contact us with any questions you have.
We're happy to help!