Flight Instruction by Matt Knapp
The best way to get around Puget Sound is by small plane! And while
flying has never been exactly "cheap", the real cost of flying is as
low now as it has ever been. I am a licensed CFI (Certified Flight
Instructor) and teach primary (private pilot) and commercial students
in either tricycle or tail-dragger aircraft.
With a light plane, the San Juans are 45 minutes away - a great dinner
flight to impress your friends and family! And there's no better way
to get to Victoria; less than an hour by light plane, and cheaper than
going by seaplane. Vashon Island, Port Townsand, Port Angeles are all
easy flights from seattle and the scenery around Puget Sound is
spectacular! The picture at right was taken at about 2500' looking
towards Mt. Ranier while over the Olympic Peninsula near the Hood
Canal Bridge (visible in the lower right). There's some (better) eye
candy on my Smugmug photo gallery.
About Me
I have been a CFI since 2000 mostly in the Puget Sound area and have
logged about 400 hours of flight instruction time. I primarily
instruct in the C-150 and C-172, but also have about 100 hours of tail
dragger CFI time (and many hundred hours of tail dragger time), and,
when I can find an airplane, also teach acrobatics (lots of fun!). I
have over 1000 hours total time in light airplanes, and hold a
commercial pilot's license with instrument and multi-engine ratings.
The Details
I primarily teach using the club aircraft at Alternate Air , a
club which owns 3 C-150s and a C-172. The club offers the lowest
rates in the area at $69/hour for the $C-150s and $97/hour for the
C-172 (not incluing 9% sales tax). As an indpendent aerospace consultant, my time is usually
pretty flexible for a mid week lesson or two.
Documents Online
I have a number of documents online including a private pilot
syllabus, cost estimate, pre-solo test and that sort of thing.
Ground School
I have taught a ground school in the past, but only when I have enough
students all starting at the same time (rare). There are several
ground schools in the area, such as the school upstairs from the pilot
shop at Boeing Field. There are also a number of self-study guides
ranging from books to interactive DVD media, and a couple online such
as the American Flyers course. Pick the one best for
your learning style. As a recommendation for study materials, here's
the study list I used when I last taught a ground school: Recommended Materials
Contact Information
email works best
or phone; 425-681-7311
