Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center (RMFTC) NEW MEMBER INFORMATION

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The Peterson Aero Club, a.k.a. Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center (RMFTC), is a FAA Part 141 Flight and Ground School located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. It is part of the 21st Space Wing’s Mission Support Group and is operated for the benefit of its members.

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 Department of Air Force Instructions, Space Command Directives, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations, Veterans Administration, and State of Colorado Educational regulations.

Information on this site is current as of posting and is subject to change. Its purpose is to inform current and prospective RMFTC members about the basics of the RMFTC.

OUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Where are you located?

We are on Peterson Space Force Base, on the flight line, in Hangar 133.

The address for Google Maps is 325 Hamilton Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80914. The pin for this is the driveway. You can also search "Rocky Mountain Flight Training Center" and it will pin to the building.

From the West Gate (Main Gate), once inside the gate, turn right at the first traffic light. Follow that road straight until it forces you to turn left. You are now on the flight line. You will have to pass Hangar 130 to turn in at the driveway, then double back to 133. Our front door is locked at all times for security purposes. Please call the office when you arrive and someone will come let you in.

What are your office hours?

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

What courses are offered at RMFTC?

Private Pilot Ground School
Private Pilot flight training
Instrument Rating
Commercial Single-engine
Certified Flight Instructor
Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument
Multi-engine
Multi-Engine Instructor
Restricted ATP
Fixed-wing add-on courses for certificated Rotor/Helicopter pilots
Mountain Flying ground school
Mountain Flying
High performance endorsement

More information can be found under the Training tab.

When is your next ground school?

Private Pilot Ground School is held throughout the year, typically every 2 months. Mountain flying ground school and multi-engine ground school are held on an as-needed basis. All other courses are provided as self-paced online modules. Please call the RMFTC office during regular hours for specific dates and information on how to sign up.

*Our latest class started at the end of March, so the next Wednesday evening class is projected for the end of May or early June. If you are interested in a class, please call us around the beginning of May for dates.

When can I fly? Do I have to be there at any certain time?

Aircraft are available to members 24/7. RMFTC instructors set their own hours. We have instructors who fly only during weekdays, some who fly only evenings and weekends, and some who are flexible and will fly any time as needed. Student pilots will be paired with an instructor who has similar availability. Members and students book their own flights using Flight Circle based on their needs and what they can arrange with their instructor. We do not tell you when you have to be here.

What types of aircraft are available at RMFTC?

SINGLE ENGINE:

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

MULTI-ENGINE:

Beechcraft Baron (B55)
Beechcraft King Air (C90)

What avionics are available for instrument training?

Avionics availability varies with each aircraft. For information specific to each aircraft, see details under the Aircraft tab. We also have access to G1000 training using the Redbird MCX flight simulator.

How long will it take to get my certificate?

Time spent on a course varies greatly from one student to another, even after the minimum requirement is met. Students who only fly once per week will almost always need more hours to complete their set of skills than a student who is able to fly several times per week. Also important to consider is that weather on the front range is often unpredictable. Air Force and local club rules dictate wind and temperature limits for operations. Maintenance is also a regular interruption. Aircraft undergo inspections every 50 flight hours, on top of incidental maintenance requirements. RMFTC does not maintain extra aircraft to stand in when one comes down for maintenance.

How often should I plan to train?

Most people need to fly several times a week. The more frequently you fly, the better you will build the muscle memory and lesson recall needed to get through a course in fewer hours.

Can I use my GI Bill to pay for training?

Yes--after you've earned your private pilot license! As an approved Part 141 school, we can take VA funding for all courses of training AFTER private pilot. We are classified as a vocational school, so you will not receive a BAH while training, and the academic year cap applies to the course you are enrolled in, not the calendar year. VA will not pay for private pilot training.

Montgomery GI Bill covers up to 60% of training costs. See office staff for current academic year cap. Under this program, students must pay for any certificate you receive, and the VA will reimburse you up to 60%.
Post 9/11 GI Bill covers up to 100% of training costs. See office staff for current academic year cap. Under this program, VA pays RMFTC directly.

I’m retired/-ing with a disability. Can I use VR&E?

Yes! We are an approved location for Vocational Rehabilitation and Education benefits. Like GI Bill programs, VR&E will not pay for private pilot training.

While the minimum requirement for VR&E is listed as 10% disability, our experience is that for flight, you should have 40% or more. This is not a regulation, however, so you are welcome to apply with less. For the degree portion, we are partnered with Metro State University in Denver. Please call the RMFTC office and speak with Meagen for information and tips on how and when to apply.

Can I use Certification Assistance? What about spouse benefits?

That depends!

Army Credentialing Assistance is available for courses, including Private Pilot Ground School.
Air Force COOL is available if flight training is in your career path. It is designed to be applied as a reimbursement at the end of a course. *Do NOT apply for this until you are ready for your check ride! There is a very small window to complete your certificate, and they allow no waivers or exceptions.
MyCAA is a Military Spouse Assistance Program that will pay for flight and ground training.

Contact RMFTC office for specific questions about how to apply for these programs.

Do you accept any other types of funding?

Yes, we can accept any grants or scholarships that will provide payment as a paper check. We do not keep a list of available programs, but many can be found with an online search, including through AOPA.

RMFTC is also approved to accept Sallie Mae student loans. Contact the RMFTC office for more information.

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 clubs are located at Air Force, Navy, and Army bases around the
world. For a complete listing, go to: https://myairforcelife.com/aero-club-directory/

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

RMFTC has the lowest rates for type of aircraft in the area. As an approved Part 141 school, we are allowed to accept VA funding for training beyond private pilot. We don’t tell you when to be here, and members have 24/7 access to aircraft, so your training will fit into your schedule.

Do you offer discovery/introductory flights?

Introduction flights are usually done in a T-41C, 2-seat aircraft, but can be done in a 4-seat aircraft if needed, for additional cost. Visitors will get a walk-around of the aircraft and will be able to arrange with the instructor what they want out of the flight (e.g. sight-seeing or training preview). Flights average about an hour in the air, but can be extended or shortened as desired to suit your experience. Price for flights is calculated using actual time in the aircraft plus total instructor time. Contact the RMFTC office to schedule.

I already have my license. Can I rent a plane and fly for fun?

Yes, certificated pilots may get checked out and rent aircraft for currency and recreation flights as availability permits. Cross-country requests must be filed and approved with the club manager at least 10 business days in advance.

Do you offer helicopter training?

No, we do not.

WHEN IS YOUR NEXT GROUND SCHOOL?

Our Private Pilot Ground School is designed to fit into our FAA-approved Part 141 training course outline. It prepares students to take the FAA written test and fulfills the ground school requirement for a Private Pilot certificate under Part 141. Ours is a hybrid course consisting of online modules through Jeppesen, classroom time with a club instructor, and a bag of books and basic equipment to get you through the class and started with basic flying. Classroom time currently meets Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm, for 7 classes, in the Aero Club classroom. There is a Zoom option to help accommodate if there are weeks where scheduling conflicts prevent in-person class attendance. Once you take your FAA written exam, you have 2 years to complete the flight portion for your certificate.

Cost for the course is $750, paid up front right before the start of class. This covers the Jeppesen access, time with our classroom instructor, and the following books and items: course syllabus, course textbook, maneuvers guide, current FAR/AIM, logbook, analog E6B, plotter, and a kneeboard. For upcoming class dates and information on how to sign up, please call the office.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Club membership is a requirement for anyone who wants to fly at RMFTC. Membership at RMFTC is open to the following:

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.

New members will fill out and submit a membership packet and all supporting documentation. There is a one-time initiation fee of $50, and a monthly dues requirement of $35. Dues are charged around the 15^th of each month.

We currently have a waitlist for instructors for all courses. Initiation and dues payments are not charged until a new member starts flying. There is no cost while on the waitlist.

Please stop in or call the RMFTC office during regular hours for more information on programs, rates, funding, or to pick up a member packet.