Whether you are working toward your Private certificate or building hours for an ATP, CFTAR provides structured, professional flight training at Marco Island Executive Airport (KMKY).
Training Programs
CFTAR instructors are qualified to take you from zero flight experience all the way through advanced ratings. Instruction available from $90 per hour.
Book a Discovery FlightThe foundation of your aviation career. Learn basic flight maneuvers, navigation, weather, and airspace. Training timelines vary, so speak with a CFTAR instructor about your path to certification.
Fly in clouds and low visibility with confidence. Our IFR training leverages the Redbird G1000 BATD simulator and our fully equipped IFR aircraft.
Explore Instrument Rating TrainingGet paid to fly. Build the skills and aeronautical experience required for the Commercial certificate and open the door to a professional aviation career.
Train toward your Multi-Engine Land rating with Andres Gutiérrez, our MEI-rated multi-engine instructor. Essential for airline and charter careers.
Pass on your knowledge and build hours fast. CFTAR trains Certificated Flight Instructors and Instrument Instructors to work in the field.
Stay current. Our CFIs conduct thorough, professionally structured flight reviews that are educational, not just a checkbox exercise.
The Private Pilot Certificate is the foundation for every rating that follows. CFTAR trains Private Pilot students at Marco Island Executive Airport (KMKY), one of Southwest Florida's most scenic and least congested general aviation airports.
Before your first flight, you'll complete an FAA Third-Class Medical exam and ground training covering regulations, weather, aerodynamics, and navigation, which prepares you for the FAA Knowledge Test.
Build foundational skills in takeoffs, landings, traffic patterns, stalls, and emergency procedures. You'll fly solo at KMKY when your instructor determines you're ready.
Log required solo cross-country flights across Southwest Florida, night operations, and instrument reference flying. You'll build real-world navigation skills before ever sitting for a checkride.
Prepare for your oral exam and practical test with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Your instructor will determine when you're ready. Training timelines vary with schedule and individual progress.
Your Instructors
President | CFII + A&P (IA)
Founder of CFTAR with 40+ years of aviation experience and 8,000+ flight hours. Alan holds CFII and A&P certificates with Inspection Authorization, bringing both instructional and mechanical expertise to every student.
Chief Flight Instructor | CFII
Aaron spent more than 20 years in telecommunications before retiring early to fly. He trained at CFTAR from his first lesson through his instructor certificates, and now takes students from first solo through checkride.
Flight Instructor | MEI
4,000+ flight hours and multi-engine instructor certification. Andres specializes in commercial, instrument, and multi-engine training, which suits pilots building toward airline careers.
Marco Island Executive Airport (KMKY)
Contact CFTAR today to schedule an introductory flight or discuss a training program tailored to your goals and schedule.