For initial or re-current ground and flight training in your Piper PA 46 Malibu, Malibu Mirage, M350 or Matrix, American Air has one of the most comprehensive programs in the nation. You will receive thorough, in-depth training from a highly-experienced instructor on the latest procedures and techniques. Our training programs are not designed for the pilot who wants a quick brush-over, but rather for the pilot who demands the highest level of safety in knowledge and skill and who wants to feel comfortable and confident with the airplane. You will be trained and tested to a much higher level of safety and competency than the industry norm. You may take all of your ground training one-on-one at your own pace with a program custom-tailored to you personally. All ground and flight instruction is given by Steve Shaner, an aviation veteran with over 55 years as a pilot, over 50 years as a full-time instructor and 32 years as a former FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner for all pilot grades up through Airline Transport Pilot. Steve is type-rated in the Cessna Citation Jet. Steve completed Piper factory PA 46 instructor training in 1984. He is an active member in the Piper M-Class Owners and Pilot’s Association (PMOPA). It is highly recommended that all PA 46 owners and pilots join PMOPA. All training is conducted out of our training center at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) in Atlanta, GA.
The ground school includes a thorough, practical analysis of the PA 46 systems, normal/abnormal and emergency procedures, avionics/autopilot operation, trip planning, performance and weight & balance computations, aeronautical decision-making (ADM), single pilot resource management (SRM), weather evaluation (low and high altitude), high altitude flight considerations, aeromedical, risk mitigation, risk assessment, the latest maintenance concerns, IFR procedures review, PA 46 accident analysis and much more.
The flight training program includes detailed training and practice in all phases of flight on normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. IFR procedures training and practice is also included. An exceptionally detailed preflight inspection is covered on the first flight and is evaluated on each succeeding flight. You will learn about checking several key items that aren’t covered in the POH.
The owner/pilot must be current and proficient in high-performance and complex airplanes for both VFR and IFR operations before enrolling in this course. The owner/pilot must provide the PA 46 airplane to be used for training. The insurance carrier for the owner must name Steve Shaner as additionally insured on the owner policy. A copy of proof of this insurance must be provided to Steve Shaner before starting the training. The owner/pilot will act as pilot in command on all of the flights. The owner/pilot must hold at least a valid U.S. private Pilot certificate or higher and hold an Instrument Airplane rating or ATP certificate. The owner/pilot must hold a current FAA Pilot Medical certificate and have the recency of experience necessary to legally carry passengers and act as PIC IFR. The owner Pilot must have a current flight review endorsement. The owner/pilot must be proficient in VFR and IFR flight as well as in High-Performance and Complex airplanes. The airplane must have all pertinent maintenance inspections and equipment checks current and be in good airworthy condition. Maintenance records on the aircraft as well as the owner’s pilot certificate, FAA medical certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship and pilot logbook must be presented to Steve Shaner at the beginning of the course. Full course payment must be made at the beginning of the course.
Three PA 46 training courses are offered at AAFT. Additional ongoing proficiency training is also available on an hourly basis.
PA 46 Initial Pilot Transition Course
This 5 day course includes up to 17 hours of ground school, 10 hours of flight training, 7 hours of pre and post flight briefing and 3 hours of cockpit ground training in your airplane with EPU power plugged in to give you complete familiarity with your panel and equipment. You will be provided with our course book, which is custom-tailored to your airplane and equipment. The cost for 1 pilot is $8,695.00. If 2 pilots attend together, the cost is $8,295.00 per pilot. ( for 2 pilots, the second pilot will need 3 more days to complete the flight portion and both pilots will need to attend the ground school together).
PA 46 Initial Pilot Transition Course Plus Transition from Analog to Glass Cockpit
This 6 day course is for Pilots who are not familiar with glass cockpit, but who are transitioning to a PA 46 with a glass cockpit. The course includes up to 20 hours of ground school, 10 hours of flight training, in your airplane, 7 hours of preflight and post flight briefing and 3 hours of cockpit ground training in your airplane with EPU power plugged in to give you complete familiarity with your equipment and glass cockpit. You will be provided with our course book, which is custom-tailored to your airplane and equipment. The cost for 1 pilot is $9,400.00. If 2 pilots attend together, the cost is $8995.00 per pilot (for 2 pilots, the second pilot will need 3 more days to complete the flight portion and both pilots will need to attend the ground school together).
PA 46 Recurrent Pilot Course
This 2 day course is for PA 46 pilots who are experienced and current in the PA 46 and who are taking an annual recurrency course as mandated by their insurance company. The course includes up to 5 hours of ground school, 3.5 hours of flight training and 2.5 hours of preflight and post flight briefing. Our PA 46 course book is provided to those who have not previously received it and it is custom – tailored to your equipment. The cost for 1 pilot is $2,350.00. If 2 pilots attend together, the cost is $2,250.00 per pilot (for 2 pilots, the second pilot will need an extra day to complete the flight portion and both pilots will need to attend the ground school together). Completing the full course hours and syllabus does not guarantee an endorsement by the instructor for the insurance requirement. If the pilot fails to show safe knowledge and proficiency by the end of the course, additional training and cost may be required. The course hours are approximate and may vary with pilot proficiency and ability.
If additional ground or flight training hours are needed, instructor time will be charged at $235/hour.