If you live in the Savannah area and want to learn to fly, you have options. Lowcountry Flight Company is located just outside Savannah, at Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (KTBR) in Statesboro, Georgia. We offer discovery flights and private pilot, instrument, commercial, and tailwheel training.
This guide covers how to choose where to train and what each training path involves.
Location matters more than you think
When you're choosing a flight school, the drive is part of every lesson. You'll be making the trip many times, so ask yourself:
- How long is the drive from home or work, and how does it fit around my schedule?
- Can I make that trip once or twice a week, every week?
- Is the airport easy to get in and out of, and how busy is the airspace I'll be training in?
Training at a smaller, less congested airport can mean less time waiting for traffic and more time in the air. KTBR is an uncontrolled airport that's quieter and less congested than Savannah, and we have students who travel from all over to train with us.
Step 1: Try a discovery flight
If you've never flown before, start with a discovery flight. It's a short introductory flight with an instructor where you'll take the controls and see what learning to fly feels like. No experience needed.
Discovery Flight: $125.
It's also the best way to see the airport, meet an instructor, and find out if the drive works for you before committing to training. Read what to expect on a discovery flight.
Step 2: Choose your training path
Private pilot
The private pilot certificate is the first certificate most pilots earn. It lets you fly for fun and personal travel, and carry passengers. Training includes ground study, flight lessons, a written knowledge test, and a checkride with an examiner.
Under Part 61 the FAA minimum is 40 hours of flight time, but most students need more. How long it takes depends on how often you fly, the weather, and your preparation.
Instrument rating
An instrument rating lets you fly in clouds and low visibility. It makes you a safer, more capable pilot and is a step on the way to a commercial certificate.
Commercial pilot
The commercial pilot certificate is the step toward being paid to fly. Most students complete private and instrument training first.
Tailwheel endorsement
A tailwheel endorsement lets you fly airplanes with conventional landing gear and sharpens your stick-and-rudder skills. Our tailwheel training is flown in N787RH.
Tailwheel package: $1,500 (before tax).
Questions to ask any flight school
Before you choose a school, near Savannah or anywhere else, ask:
- Where will I actually fly from? Confirm the airport where lessons start.
- How do I schedule lessons and aircraft? Ask what happens when weather or maintenance cancels a flight.
- Will I fly with the same instructor? Continuity helps you progress.
- What's the plan? Ask for an outline of what you'll learn and how the instructor will decide you're ready to move on.
- Does the training structure fit me? Ask whether training is done under Part 61 or Part 141, and what that means for you. At Lowcountry Flight Company, training is conducted under Part 61.
Ask us these questions too. We're happy to answer them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lowcountry Flight Company in Savannah? We're located just outside Savannah, at Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (KTBR) in Statesboro, Georgia.
What's the best first step if I've never flown? A discovery flight. It's $125 and requires no experience.
Can I train if I work full time? Yes. Many students train around work, and evening and weekend lessons are available. Talk with us about your availability and we'll build a schedule that fits.
How much does pilot training cost? Total cost depends on how often you fly, how many hours you need, and other expenses like your knowledge test and checkride. Contact us and we'll walk you through it. Our published prices are the $125 Discovery Flight and the $1,500 Tailwheel package (before tax).
Ready to start?
Book a $125 Discovery Flight, or contact us to talk about training.
