Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center (RMFTC) NEW MEMBER INFORMATION

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The Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center (RMFTC) is a FAA Part 141 Flight and Ground School.  Located at Peterson Space Force Base (adjoining the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado), it is part of the 21st Space Wing’s Mission Support Group and is operated for the benefit of its members.

In addition, RMFTC is partnered with Metro State University in Denver, CO.  For more information, call the RMFTC office.

RMFTC’s highly-experienced instructors and superbly-maintained equipment ensure airworthy aircraft and exemplary flight training.  To ensure safety and excellence, RMFTC complies with US Space Force Instructions, Space Command Directives, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations, Veterans Administration, and State of Colorado Educational regulations.

This publication is a “living document,” subject to change.  Its purpose is to inform current and prospective RMFTC members about the basics of the RMFTC.  This information is focused around the six timeless questions: WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? WHY? And HOW?

 

WHO

WHO may become a member of the RMFTC?

  • All active duty & retired military personnel.
  • Active duty Reserve & National Guard personnel.
  • Civil Service, FAA, & FSS Personnel.
  • Department of Defense personnel.
  • Government Contracting personnel.
  • Dependents and Family members of all of the above.
  • Civil Air Patrol members.
  • Civilians who are eligible for VA flight training.

WHO in my family can train?  Can my minor children learn to fly?

  • Dependents must be 16 years old prior to their initial solo flight.

WHO administers the RMFTC?

  • Justin Hoover, Manager
  • Scott Oatman, Chief Instructor
  • Meagen Liggins, Operations Asst., [email protected]  

WHO are the RMFTC Flight Instructors?  Are there female instructors? 

  • Over 20 highly-experienced FAA-certified flight instructors, male and female, full and part-time
  • Over 50,000 collective civilian and/or military flying hours
  • Individually screened prior to employment by the Chief Instructor and Manager
  • For more information about RMFTC instructors, visit us at Peterson SFB, or call
    (719) 556-4310

WHO is the Chief Instructor?  What does he do? 

  • RMFTC Chief Instructor is Scott Oatman.  According to FAR 135, the Chief Insturctor must
    possess very specific skills and capabilities, including having at least 5,000 flight hours,
    posses various type ratings and pilot experience requirements, and possess a Class I
    Medical rating. 
  • The RMFTC Chief Instructor reports to the Director of Operations (RMFTC Club Manager)
    and is has various responsibilities, including: 
    • Monitors flight operations
    • Coordinates with and helps the Club Manager execute operational policies and
      procedures of FAR Part 141 flight operations
    • Conducts instructor (flight crew) training and standardization and pilot aircraft specific
      training and checking
    • Monitors instructor (flight crew) activities and currency
    • Initiates changes to RMFTC manuals and training programs as necessary

WHO are the Assistant Chief Instructors? What do they do? 

  • Zoan Harclerode, Joe Baillargeon, Les Cox, Dave Novotny
  • They assist the Chief Instructor in the execution of his responsibilities, as needed.

WHO are the mechanics working at the RMFTC hanger? What do they do? 

  • Neil Wickliff is the RMTFC Chief Aircraft mechanic.
  • The RMFTC Chief Aircraft mechanic and Assistant Aircraft Mechanics service, repair,
    and inspect the airframe, avionics, and power plant of all RMFTC aircraft and assists in
    scheduling and coordinating off-site repairs, overhauls, and replacements as needed.

 

WHAT

WHAT are the requirements to become a private pilot at the RMFTC? 

  • You must be at least 16 years old prior to your initial solo flight; and 17 years old prior to
    earning your private pilot license. 
  • You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
  • FAA Part 141 flying schools require that you take 35 hours of ground school; pass
    preliminary aeronautical knowledge tests; receive a logbook endorsement from your
    instructor that you are prepared to take the FAA written knowledge exam; take it, and
    pass it. 
  • FAA Part 141 flying schools require that you take 35 hours of flight training (including
    20 hours with an instructor); receive various logbook endorsements from your instructor
    (cross-country, instrument training, night flying, solo flying, and certification that you are
    prepared to take the required FAA practical exam); take the practical exam with an FAA
    flight examiner, and pass it. 

WHAT other ratings may be earned at the RMFTC? 

  • MOUNTAIN FLYING GROUND SCHOOL 
  • MOUNTAIN FLYING ENDORSEMENT
  • INSTRUMENT
  • COMMERCIAL
  • CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
  • CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, INSTRUMENT
  • MULTI-ENGINE
  • MULTIE-ENGINE INSTRUCTOR
  • AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT-MULTI
  • FIXED WING RATING for HELICOPTER PILOTS
  • And OTHER SPECIALIZED COURSES

WHAT types of aircraft are available for flight training at the RMFTC? 

SINGLE ENGINE: 

  • Cessna T-41C Mescalero
  • Cessna T-41-D
  • Cessna 172M Skyhawk
  • Cessna 182RG Skylane

MULTI-ENGINE:

WHAT avionics are available for instrument training? 

WHAT does it cost to join the RMFTC?

  • One-time Initiation Fee of $50  (This can be waived with a Letter of Good Standing from a prior Aero Club.) 
  • Monthly dues are $35

WHAT happens if I get transferred before I finish my flight training? 

  • You may obtain copies of your RMFTC training records to take with you.  This
    information, plus your logbook, will document your progress to date, which you may
    continue at another military flying club (if available), or at a civilian flight training
    center. 
  • Military aero (flying) clubs are located at Air Force, Navy, and Army bases around the
    world.  For a complete listing, go to:  http://public.afsv.net/Aero/Directory.htm

WHAT training costs will the Montgomery GI Bill through the VA pay for? 

  • 60% of any flight training certificate for all ratings except private pilot (no VA funds for
    private pilot rating).  See office staff for current Academic year cap.  Under this GI bill, you
    must pay us for any certificate you receive, and the VA will reimburse you up to 60%. 

WHAT training costs with the post-9/11 GI Bill pay for? 

  • Up to 100% of any flight training certificate for all ratings except private pilot (no VA funds for
    private pilot rating).  See office staff for current Academic year cap.  The VA pays the RMFTC directly. 

WHAT training costs will Tuition Assistance pay for? 

  • Army Credentialing Assistance is available for Pilot Training Programs.
  • MyCAA is a Military Spouse Assistance Program that will pay for flight and ground training. 

 

WHERE

WHERE is the RMFTC located? 

  • 325 Hamilton Ave, Hangar 133, Peterson SFB, CO 80914  (Google Maps)

WHERE does the RMFTC train? 

  • Ground school training is conducted in a classroom located in Hanger 133.
  • Flight training for student pilots is conducted in the local flying area (commonly called
    the “East Practice Area),” which is a semi-circle of 25 nautical miles radius, east of l-25
    and centered at Peterson AFB.
  • “Pattern work” training (including takeoffs and landings) for student pilots occurs
    primarily at Peterson AFB, which is collocated with the Colorado Springs Municipal
    Airport (COS).  This airspace is classified as “Class C.”  Traffic separation is provided for
    all arrivals and departures.  RADAR coverage extends 20 nautical miles from the primary
    airport, COS.
  • Cross-country training for student pilots may include destinations hundreds of miles
    away, such as Goodland, Kansas.

WHERE are the RMFTC Quarterly Safety Meetings Held? 

  • Quarterly Flight Safety Meetings are held at the HUB at 17:45
    hours on the last Tuesday of the month.  You must attend Safety Meetings regularly to maintain flying privileges.

 

WHEN

WHEN are the RMFTC offices open? 

  • Members can access the facility to train or fly 24/7, 365 days a year
  • Office Hours:  Monday - Friday  0830-1500
  • AFSPC Family Day: Front Office Closed
  • Inclement Weather Office Opening Time:  1030hrs
  • All Official Government Holidays:  Front Office Closed 

WHEN are your introductory flights offered?  How long are they and how much do they cost? 

  • Introduction flights are done in a T-41C, 2-seat aircraft.  You will receive up to 2 hrs
    of instruction--1 hour on the ground learning the aircraft systems and pre & post flighting, and
    1 hour of flight, with a student pilot’s logbook endorsed by the instructor.  Price is calculated on actual aircraft flight time, fuel, and instructor time.  

WHEN are RMFTC Ground School classes offered? 

  • Ground School Classes are scheduled throughout the year.  For more information, call
    RMFTC at (719) 556-4310.

WHEN are my RMFTC membership dues due? 

  • Membership dues are charged on or about the 15th of each month.  Membership dues
    cover you with US Space Force insurance, so you do not have to buy renters' insurance. 

WHEN is my annual flight review due? 

  • Flight reviews are valid for 24 calendar months.
  • If your flight review is not current, you may not act as pilot in command until you have
    satisfactorily completed a flight review.

WHEN must I update my RMFTC Covenant Not to Sue contract?

  • Annually

WHEN are RMFTC flight instructors available? 

  • Instructor availability varies.  There are instructors who fly primarily during daytime weekday hours, and others who fly primarily in the evenings on weekends.  RMFTC makes every attempt to match student pilots with an instructor with compatible availability.  

WHEN are RMFTC aircraft available? 

  • RMFTC aircraft are scheduled using Flight Circle.
  • Members are given a link to sign up and associate with RMFTC on Flight Circle when they are matched with an instructor.  

WHY

Why should I earn private pilot’s license at RMFTC instead of a civilian school? 

  • The RMFTC is an FAA part 141 flight school totally dedicated to excellence in
    curriculum, safety, and the mindset you must learn to be a successful and safe pilot.

Is it cheaper to learn to fly at RMFTC?  Why?

  • The RMFTC exists to support the 21st Space Wing, 21st MSG, 21 FSS and all military,
    DOD members.  We are about 30% less expensive than any local, off-base flying
    school.  Our job is not to make a huge profit, but to offer low-cost flight training to the
    military community.  We have very low overhead, so we can charge much less for our
    aircraft and instruction.

Why do I have to have each flight “cleared” by a RMFTC authority?

  • United States Air Force Instruction 34-117 mandates an signature from a RMFTC
    authority in order to release (“clear”) and assure that the RMFTC member is qualified
    and current.  This clearance also assures that the RMFTC knows where each of its aircraft
    is at all times.

Why don’t you offer helicopter lessons? 

  • Because the RMFTC aircraft inventory does not include a helicopter.

HOW

HOW long does it take to earn a private pilot’s license? 

  • RMFTC is a Part 141 flying school.  The MINIMUM Part 141
  • Requirements are:
    • 35-hours ground school
    • 35-hours flight training, including 20-hours with an instructor
    • 3-hours cross country
    • 3-hours night flight
    • 3-hours instrument training
    • 5-hours solo

HOW often do I need to train, per week?  Per month? 

HOW long does it take to earn an instrument rating? 

  • RMFTC is a Part 141 flying school.
  • MINIMUM Part 141 Requirements are:
    • 30-hours ground school
    • 35-hours dual flight instruction
    • One cross country over 250 nautical miles

HOW long does it take to earn a commercial rating? 

  • RMFTC is a Part 141 flying school.
  • MINIMUM Part 141 Requirements are:
    • 35-hours ground school
    • 190-hours of total flight time,
    • 55-hours dual, in the Commercial Course
    • 5-hours instrument
    • 10-hours in a complex aircraft
    • One day cross country
    • One night cross country