Rainier Flight Academy

Welcome to Rainier Flight Academy, where you will gain the skills you need to succeed as a career pilot, both in and out of the cockpit. Designed by airline pilots, our innovative approach using Rainier’s Next Gen Training program was created using decades of commercial flying experience to ensure the most effective and efficient training possible. Rainier Flight Academy is committed to ensuring that each student is successfully prepared for airline flying. Skills gained through this program include:

Technical Proficiency and Superior Stick & Rudder Skill
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM)
Checklist Flows, Maneuver Profiles, Memory Items and Airline Procedures
Safety Management Systems
Electronic Flight Bags and Resource Management
Leadership and Teamwork

See our Flight Courses for detailed course descriptions.

Training Schedule

Academy students are expected to commit to full-time training program. Multiple slots are available throughout the day for Flight and Sim Training while providing flexibility for maintaining a work or school schedule. To maximize training effectiveness it is highly encouraged students Observe Training sessions and participate in Group Study sessions. Observing fellow students is a proven method for rapid learning while also decreasing cost. Participation in study groups also provides opportunities for discussion and in-depth understanding while enhancing a sense of community.

Weekends are dedicated to additional flying opportunties to make up missed sessions due to illness, maintenance or building cross country experience.

Benefits

Aircraft scheduling assistance to ensure availability for full-time training
Professional training with casual, club atmosphere
No additional cost for Academy students
Mentoring opportunities with professional pilots

Timeline and Cost

The training footprint from zero experience to Commercial pilot is just over a year. Students may then continue training to become a Flight Instructor or transition to commercial flying with one of our Part 135 partners. Academy graduates with flight instructor qualifications are provided preferential hiring to teach at Rainier Flight.

Enrollment Process

The minimum requirements for Academy enrollment are a medical certificate, high school diploma and availability to commit to full-time training. Enrolling in the Academy may begin at any time with training slots assigned based on availability. Please note that a medical certificate is nececery for accelerated training, and we cannot enroll students or book any lessons under the Academy before a medical certificate is presented to us.

Our Course Enrollment page itemizes the steps necessary to get started. Contact Us anytime to schedule an appointment and meet with our professional staff. We are here to answer any questions and explain how we can help launch an exciting and rewarding career in the sky!

Frequently Asked Questions

Attendance

As a student, you are responsible for regularly attending training events and making your best effort to complete training within the time frame of the program. If you are unable to meet the requirements of this attendance policy, Rainier Flight may terminate your training program.

Required Availability & Time Commitment

The Flight Academy requires full-time commitment. Students must be available for training at least five full days (determined by RFS) each week. RFS strives to provide two days off each week. Because schedules are built to maximize student return on investment and keep students on schedule with projected completion dates, weekend flying may be required.

Success requires flexibility and adaptability. There may be delays due to maintenance, weather, and other factors outside of RFS’s control. Students are expected to be present at the training center and adaptable to schedule changes.

What financing options are available?

Currently, the only options are personal loans or education loans for Green River College students. Personal loans can be obtained through a local bank or through organizations like AOPA to help cover training costs. Some people use a home equity line of credit. We are working on additional financing options specifically for career students to cover a portion of the training costs with airline bonuses helping fill the remaining amount.

Check the Financing / Scholarship page for more information as well as a list of the many scholarships available.

What if I already have my Private certificate? Can I complete my training in the Academy?

Yes. You will complete an evaluation to verify knowledge and proficiency but may begin program at the Instrument or Commercial course.

Student Preparedness

Students must arrive well-prepared for each lesson. Our curriculum outlines study assignments including required reading, exercises and additional training resources to maximize training efficiency and effectiveness. Arriving to lessons with completed assignments and a list of questions dramatically improves time spent with instructor and provides for emphasis on higher levels of learning.

No-Show / Late Cancellations

At RFS’s sole discretion, RFS may impose a charge per lesson for which you no-show, cancel with insufficient advance notice, arrive late, or arrive unprepared. RFS considers adequate advance notice to be at least 24 hours before the lesson’s scheduled start time.

If you are scheduled for a flight training event and weather or maintenance become a factor, you are still expected to arrive on-time for training. Your instructor will decide the appropriate course of action which may include substituting the planned lesson with another suitable to the conditions.

RFS understands that extenuating circumstances do occur, and will allow exceptions to this policy at its sole discretion. Any time your account incurs a cancellation fee, payment must be received before any further training will be scheduled.

How am I assigned an instructor?

Every effort is made to pair students with a single instructor for each training course. However, there will be times you fly with a substitute or evaluated by a stage check instructor. The curriculum and staff are standardized to ensure there is no detriment to your learning process. In fact, some great techniques and perspective can be gained from different people so occassionally flying with a different instructor can be a good thing.

Refunds

Should you decide to not continue training for any reason, any remaining funds on account will be refunded by check within 15 days of notification.

Is the GI Bill available for veterans to use?

Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to accept the GI Bill, but that may change in the future.