Pelican Flight Training

I wanted to share my honest take on my experience at Pelican Air Academy, where I spent a big chunk of 2024 getting my PPL. Honestly, it was a really solid time, with a few bumps in the road, but overall, definitely worth it.

The instructors were the real highlight. I flew mostly with Captain Mike, and the dude was just fantastic—super patient when I kept messing up my crosswind landings (seriously, a nightmare) but also tough when he needed to be. He had this way of explaining complex stuff, like VOR navigation, that just clicked. They definitely don't just push you through; they make sure you actually get it.

The atmosphere was great, too. It felt less like a stuffy school and more like a community. Everyone—from the older commercial guys to the newbies like me—hung out in the lounge, swapping stories and tips. It was motivating, you know?

The classes were intense, especially the ground school. We covered everything, and the material was current. My one minor gripe is that sometimes the accommodation booking process was a little slow. The housing itself was decent enough—a clean, shared apartment near the main hangar—but the Wi-Fi was spotty, which made studying for the written exam a bit of a pain late at night.

My overall impression is really positive. The maintenance on the aircraft seemed top-notch, and safety was always priority number one. If you’re serious about flying, this is a genuinely good place to be. It was challenging, but the feeling of doing my first solo flight here? Unforgettable.

Honestly, my time at Pelican Flight Training in 2024 was amazing. The instructors were super patient and really knew their stuff they made every lesson feel safe but also exciting. The atmosphere at the school was friendly, like everyone was rooting for each other, which made learning way less stressful. Ground classes were clear and not boring at all, and the flight sessions were hands-on, which I loved. The accommodations were simple but comfy enough, and it felt really easy to focus on flying without extra stress. By the end, I felt confident in the cockpit and proud of how much I’d learned. Definitely a solid choice if you’re serious about becoming a pilot.

I trained at this flight school in 2024 and had a pretty good experience overall. The instructors were friendly and explained things in a clear, simple way. The atmosphere was chill and students felt comfortable asking questions. Classes were well-organized and the planes were in good condition, which made me feel safe during flights. Accommodation was basic but clean enough for a student pilot. Overall, it was a solid place to learn flying and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a supportive environment.

I still remember my first day at Pelican- standing in the parking lot, staring at the row of Cessnas, my hands sweating through my hoodie. I'd quit my 9-to-5 a month prior, trading spreadsheets for flight logs, and honestly? I was terrified I'd made a huge mistake. Now, 6 months later, I've logged 45 flight hours, nailed my first solo flight, and can't imagine a life without the hum of a plane's engine. Here's the unfiltered version of how it went-no polished sales talk, just the messy, thrilling, exhausting reality.
The First Flight: "I Have No Idea What I'm Doing"
My first lesson with Captain Mike was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. We did a pre-flight check, walking around the plane while he pointed out things like "fuel caps" and "ailerons" as if I knew what they meant. I nodded along, scribbling pretend notes, all the while my brain was screaming, How am I supposed to fly this metal bird?
Once we were airborne, Mike let me take the yoke within 10 minutes. The plane wobbled like a toy, and I overcorrected so hard we almost banked into a cloud. He just laughed and said, "Relax-flying's like driving, but with fewer potholes and more wind." Slowly, I got the hang of it-keeping the wings level, adjusting the throttle, feeling the plane respond to every tiny movement. By the end of the hour, I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. I still had no idea what I was doing, but for the first time in years, I felt alive.
The Grind of Ground School (and Why I Hated Flashcards)
Ground school was where the dream met reality. Pelican's program mixes online modules and in-person classes, and I soon learned flying isn't just about sitting in the cockpit-it's about weather charts, navigation rules, and committing 1001 little details to memory-like, "What is the maximum crosswind component for a Cessna 172?"
I'm not a studious person; my version of "homework" before Pelican consisted of binge-watching Netflix. But I forced myself to study for 2 hours every night, making flashcards for airspace classes and watching weather tutorials while eating cereal. There were nights I wanted to quit-like when I failed a practice test on navigation and stared at my laptop, wondering if I was too dumb for this. But Sarah, my other instructor, pulled me aside and said, "Everyone struggles with this-even the best pilots." She took me through the tricky parts on a whiteboard with silly mnemonics-still remember "VFR is 'Visual Flight Rules'-see the sky, fly the sky"-and finally, it clicked.
Solo Flight: The Scariest - and Best - 30 Minutes of My Life
Mike told me I was ready for solo flight after 20 hours of training, and I thought he was crazy. “But what if I forget how to land?” I asked. “What if the plane breaks?” He just patted my shoulder and said, “We wouldn’t let you go if we didn’t trust you.”
The day of my solo, the sky was perfect—clear blue, barely any wind. I did my pre-flight check twice, triple-checked the fuel, and climbed into the plane. The tower gave me clearance, and I taxied down the runway. When I pulled back on the yoke and the plane lifted off, I felt a surge of panic and excitement all at once. “I’m alone up here,” I thought. “No one to fix my mistakes.”
I flew a simple pattern—takeoff, climb to 1,500 feet, turn left, fly straight, turn left again, descend, land. The first landing was shaky, touchdown a little hard but the plane stayed on the runway. I whooped out loud—yes, alone in the plane, I whooped. The second landing was smoother and by the third, I felt like a pro. When I taxied back to the hangar, Mike and the staff were waiting with a bottle of sparkling cider and a “Solo Pilot” certificate. I cried–happy tears, exhausted tears, “I can’t believe I did this” tears.
The Hiccups That Made It Real
It wasn't all smooth sailing. There was the time I double-booked a flight via the app and showed up to find another student in my plane - Pelican fixed it by giving me a free lesson the next day, but I was stressed for hours. There was the week of rain that canceled 3 flights in a row, and I worried I'd fall behind. And don't even get me started on touch-and-gos - 15 in a row one morning left my arms sore and my brain fried, and I went home and took a 3-hour nap.
But those hiccups made the wins sweeter. When I finally nailed a perfect landing after weeks of practice, or aced my ground school final, I felt proud-not because it was easy, but because it was hard. Pelican didn't sugarcoat anything-they told me flying is work, but they also celebrated every small victory with me.
Why I'd Do It All Over Again
Today, I am just a few steps away from my PPL, and already have plans to take friends on weekend flights to nearby lakes and small towns. Pelican didn't just teach me to fly - they taught me to trust myself, to embrace the unknown, and to keep going even when things get tough.
The instructors aren't just teachers; they're mentors. Mike told stories of his commercial flying days, Sarah gave me advice on career paths in aviation, and the front desk always remembered my order (oat milk latte, no sugar) and asked how my flights went. Pelican feels like family, one that pushes you, supports you, and celebrates with you.
If you're thinking about learning to fly, do it. It's scary, it's hard, it's expensive-but it's also the most incredible thing I've ever done. And if you choose Pelican? You're not just signing up for flight lessons-you're signing up for a journey that will change your life.
Would you like me to elaborate on any part, such as the breakdown of costs involved, the specific techniques in flying that bothered me, or more solo flight stories? I can add in some more personal touches, if you'd like, for authenticity.

Just got my PPL at Pelican and still can’t believe how far I’ve come in a few months. The whole team there made it possible. From day one, I felt like they genuinely wanted me to succeed. Ground school was well organized, and flights were the highlight of my week. I trained mostly with Anna - she was calm, clear, and always pushed me to be better. Sure, there were stressful moments (radio work got me at first), but I always had support. Would definitely come back for my IR when ready.

I highly recommend this school. They changed my life and career.

Embarking on my aviation journey with Pelican Flight Training was the best decision I've ever made. From day one, the school's commitment to excellence was evident. The instructors are not only highly experienced but also incredibly supportive, ensuring that each lesson is both informative and confidence-building.

The training program is meticulously structured, guiding students seamlessly from private pilot certification to commercial ratings. The fleet of well-maintained aircraft and state-of-the-art simulators provided a hands-on learning experience that was both challenging and rewarding.

I attended PFT as an international student F-1, and everything was pretty quick and easy. The staff from this school is beyond outstanding. I’m very thankful to Oleksandra and Anna, they’re very clear and extremely helpful at anytime. Instructors are very cool and good, facilities are fine, they provide you with advices and choices to do everything right. Overall very nice environment.

Pelican Flight Training is the best school around. I’ve tried other schools but Pelican is the most Professional my personal opinion. The atmosphere is so positive, the instructors are all so nice and friendly and I just passed my instrument Rating at Pelican and my instructor Adrian was TERRIFIC! And I am so looking forward to going back to start my commercial with them.