About Us
Steve, owner and instructor
Betty Weidenhaft, instructor
Betty Weidenhaft, instructor
Steve holds many certificates and ratings, including ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI. He is a Captain and instructor in the Civil Air Patrol. He has flown and instructed in single engine, multi-engine, piston & turbine, tail wheel aircraft; a total of more than 90 makes and models. He has given thousands of hours of flight instruction spanning dec
Steve holds many certificates and ratings, including ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI. He is a Captain and instructor in the Civil Air Patrol. He has flown and instructed in single engine, multi-engine, piston & turbine, tail wheel aircraft; a total of more than 90 makes and models. He has given thousands of hours of flight instruction spanning decades. His expertise, experience, and enthusiasm are what you are looking for in an instructor.
Betty Weidenhaft, instructor
Betty Weidenhaft, instructor
Betty Weidenhaft, instructor
My passion for aviation was discovered in 2015. I helped my husband study for the FAA Private Pilot Written exam, and we both passed the test in March 2015. While studying for the exam I realized I could comprehend a subject that I had always thought was way above and beyond my abilities. I then became excited to put into practice all of
My passion for aviation was discovered in 2015. I helped my husband study for the FAA Private Pilot Written exam, and we both passed the test in March 2015. While studying for the exam I realized I could comprehend a subject that I had always thought was way above and beyond my abilities. I then became excited to put into practice all of the book knowledge I had gained. I’ll always remember my first flying lesson in April 2015, it was then that I discovered I was capable of flying an aircraft! The enthusiasm to pursue earning my Private Pilot’s Certificate was ignited!
My husband earned his Private Pilot Certificate in October 2015, a goal that he first began pursuing in 1980. It’s never too late to finish what you started, no matter how many obstacles and hurdles life throws at you along the way. I earned my Private Pilot Certificate in December 2015. Then in 2018 my husband and I took Seaplane lessons in Washington. Mechanical issues prevented us from completing those lessons, but with the experience gained I was able to help fly a 172 on straight floats from Washington to Maine. I actually joined the pilot and our CFI in Minnesota, after they had crossed the Rockies.
My husband and I have been married for 38 years and have two adult sons. One of whom loves to have a flying lesson whenever the opportunity presents itself. Hopefully one day he will be in a position to earn his Private Pilot Certificate!
I am now a Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instrument Instructor, Advanced Ground Instructor, Instrument Ground Instructor, flew as Second In Command on a Falcon 10 for two years, as well as Second In Command in CE-500 series jets for two years, and am currently Second In Command on a Falcon 20.
I use GoPro technology to record your Discovery Flight, flying lessons, and ground school lessons. You supply the SD card and can then take home the card to review your lesson and/or remember your Discovery Flight! I am eager to help you pursue your passion for aviation!
My additional credentials are:
Commercial Pilot Certificate
Multi-Engine Commercial Rating
Instrument Rating
High Performance Endorsement
Complex Endorsement
Tailwheel Endorsement
RVSM Endorsement
sUAS Remote Pilot
We offer outstanding flight instruction
We offer outstanding flight instruction
We offer outstanding flight instruction
Flight Instruction in Eugene for Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine, CFI, Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Checks, Light Sport, tailwheel, transition, glass panel. Experience instructing in Beech Baron, Pilatus PC12NG, Cessna Grand Caravan, Cessna 414 and many more. (Flight Training in Eugene) (learn to fly) (Pilot training)
Contract flying your aircraft
We offer outstanding flight instruction
We offer outstanding flight instruction
Experienced in more than 70 makes and models of single and multi-engine aircraft; piston and turboprop. Of special note are 400 series Cessna twins, Cessna Grand Caravan, and Pilatus PC12NG.
testimonials
Thank you for your quality flight instruction Steve! Not only was I able to overcome my fear of flying, I was able to fulfill my dream of flight certification as well.
Steve is an empath. He is in-tune with human emotions and knows how to approach each student as an individual — not as a mere number or dollar sign. He will mentor you through your struggles and wholeheartedly ring in your accomplishments in the most genuine, caring manner. When you’re on the ground, he’s goofy and personable. When you’re in the air, his CFI skills shine as he walks you through maneuvers professionally and calmly. He has been training pilots for years and has unbridled experience and an honest love for flying. Go with Steve. You will trust his expertise and learn more than you ever have. I will be working on my Instrument rating with Steve next, then move on to my commercial, CFI, multi-engine…and more! The sky is not the limit, it’s our domain!
When I first called Steve to ask about flight instruction, I was instantly impressed with his enthusiasm to start training with me. From the first discovery flight, I felt comfortable and excited, and never questioned that I was in safe hands. We taxied back to the hangar, and I immediately booked him for every single day that summer. My training for my Private Pilot certificate had plenty of ups and downs. There were victories such as my first solo, first solo cross-countries, and of course, earning my certificate! My training also comprised of days where I’d ask myself, “can I really do this?” and “am I good enough?”
When I first called Steve to ask about flight instruction, I was instantly impressed with his enthusiasm to start training with me. From the first discovery flight, I felt comfortable and excited, and never questioned that I was in safe hands. We taxied back to the hangar, and I immediately booked him for every single day that summer. My training for my Private Pilot certificate had plenty of ups and downs. There were victories such as my first solo, first solo cross-countries, and of course, earning my certificate! My training also comprised of days where I’d ask myself, “can I really do this?” and “am I good enough?”
Steve is an empath. He is in-tune with human emotions and knows how to approach each student as an individual — not as a mere number or dollar sign. He will mentor you through your struggles and wholeheartedly ring in your accomplishments in the most genuine, caring manner. When you’re on the ground, he’s goofy and personable. When you’re in the air, his CFI skills shine as he walks you through maneuvers professionally and calmly. He has been training pilots for years and has unbridled experience and an honest love for flying. Go with Steve. You will trust his expertise and learn more than you ever have. I will be working on my Instrument rating with Steve next, then move on to my commercial, CFI, multi-engine…and more! The sky is not the limit, it’s our domain!
When I first called Steve to ask about flight instruction, I was instantly impressed with his enthusiasm to start training with me. From the first discovery flight, I felt comfortable and excited, and never questioned that I was in safe hands. We taxied back to the hangar, and I immediately booked him for every single day that summer. My training for my Private Pilot certificate had plenty of ups and downs. There were victories such as my first solo, first solo cross-countries, and of course, earning my certificate! My training also comprised of days where I’d ask myself, “can I really do this?” and “am I good enough?”
Steve is an empath. He is in-tune with human emotions and knows how to approach each student as an individual — not as a mere number or dollar sign. He will mentor you through your struggles and wholeheartedly ring in your accomplishments in the most genuine, caring manner. When you’re on the ground, he’s goofy and personable. When you’re in the air, his CFI skills shine as he walks you through maneuvers professionally and calmly. He has been training pilots for years and has unbridled experience and an honest love for flying. Go with Steve. You will trust his expertise and learn more than you ever have. I will be working on my Instrument rating with Steve next, then move on to my commercial, CFI, multi-engine…and more! The sky is not the limit, it’s our domain!
Steve is an empath. He is in-tune with human emotions and knows how to approach each student as an individual — not as a mere number or dollar sign. He will mentor you through your struggles and wholeheartedly ring in your accomplishments in the most genuine, caring manner. When you’re on the ground, he’s goofy and personable. When you’re in the air, his CFI skills shine as he walks you through maneuvers professionally and calmly. He has been training pilots for years and has unbridled experience and an honest love for flying. Go with Steve. You will trust his expertise and learn more than you ever have. I will be working on my Instrument rating with Steve next, then move on to my commercial, CFI, multi-engine…and more! The sky is not the limit, it’s our domain!
Steve is an empath. He is in-tune with human emotions and knows how to approach each student as an individual — not as a mere number or dollar sign. He will mentor you through your struggles and wholeheartedly ring in your accomplishments in the most genuine, caring manner. When you’re on the ground, he’s goofy and personable. When you’re in the air, his CFI skills shine as he walks you through maneuvers professionally and calmly. He has been training pilots for years and has unbridled experience and an honest love for flying. Go with Steve. You will trust his expertise and learn more than you ever have. I will be working on my Instrument rating with Steve next, then move on to my commercial, CFI, multi-engine…and more! The sky is not the limit, it’s our domain!
Aircraft
Cessna 172, Technically Advanced
GLASS PANEL, GPS, AUTOPILOT, ELECTRIC TRIM, NAV/COM
GLASS PANEL, GPS, AUTOPILOT, ELECTRIC TRIM, NAV/COM
Glass Panel, Garmin 430 WAAS GPS, Autopilot, and ADS-B. ($170/hour "wet")
GLASS PANEL, GPS, AUTOPILOT, ELECTRIC TRIM, NAV/COM
GLASS PANEL, GPS, AUTOPILOT, ELECTRIC TRIM, NAV/COM
GLASS PANEL, GPS, AUTOPILOT, ELECTRIC TRIM, NAV/COM
"Glass Panel" digital displays are the future & you will learn these, as well as older "steam gauges." VOR and ILS are still very much in use, but GPS has become the go-to navigation system. Learn it all here.
NEWS FLASH: Our Cessna 172 is now a TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft); a huge student benefit
NEWS FLASH: Our Cessna 172 is now a TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft); a huge student benefit
NEWS FLASH: Our Cessna 172 is now a TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft); a huge student benefit
Dual Garmin G5s provide glass panel training. With the Garmin 430W color moving map GPS, and the sophisticated Garmin autopilot, it is TAA. Your time in this plane will mean you do not have to get an extra 10 hours of Complex Aircraft time for your Commercial Certificate. You save $$ thousands.
Learn instrument flying in clouds, rain
NEWS FLASH: Our Cessna 172 is now a TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft); a huge student benefit
NEWS FLASH: Our Cessna 172 is now a TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft); a huge student benefit
Sure, you can get an instrument rating just wearing a "hood" (view limiting device). It is far better to learn in IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions). That is, in clouds and rain, often with no visual reference to the ground.
frequently asked questions
How do I get started?
- Call, text, or message to make an appointment to talk with Steve
- We recommend getting the appropriate level of Airman's Medical before training starts (we can provide a list of local Airman's Medical Examiners).
- Purchase the appropriate curriculum (Private, Instrument, Commercial, etc.) from us
- Set up your regular lesson schedule and start date & time
- From the first lesson, most lessons will include ground (pre-flight and post-flight briefings) and flight. Students do not need to complete course work before starting to fly. You get to start flying immediately.
- Bring in approved ID: (Best) Unexpired passport, or birth certificate (original with raised seal)
- Your Instructor will assist with application for a student license (in IACRA)
- IF needed, we will arrange or an airport security badge (TSA)
- Other steps will follow once the student has started training
- International students: Steve will assist you in applying to the Alien Flight Student Program of the TSA
What does it cost and how do I pay?
- Aircraft (costs are "wet" meaning fuel and other operating costs are included) **Cessna 172 (with Glass Panel, Garmin 430 WAAS, autopilot, and ADS-B) ...... $170.00/hr (NOTE: This is a TECHNICALLY ADVANCED AIRCRAFT which has tremendous advantage for you over typical training aircraft)
- Instructor: $65.00/hr for ground and flight (in I Fly planes).
- Instructor $75/hr for ground and flight in student owned aircraft
- There are NO tuition charges
- Payment may be made by CASH, CHECK, CREDIT CARD or VENMO
- Students may put money on deposit or pay as they go per lesson
- Note: minimum cost for Private, for aircraft, instructor & curriculum would be about $11,000 *IF the student could complete in the FAA minimum time of 40 hours of flight and associated ground instruction time. (the national average is 70+ hours of flight). (This does NOT include pilot supplies and equipment a student may choose to buy. It does NOT include FAA exams.)
- Because few, if any, students complete in the FAA minimum hours, we recommend expecting a realistic cost of $15,000+ and that students budget for that. (We believe it is better to project likely REAL costs and for students to be happy, than to quote unachievable minimums and for students to be unpleasantly surprised.)
- Notes: 1. Prices subject to change. 2. Estimates do not imply a contract or guarantee.
Note to "alien flight students"
If you are not a citizen of the USA
- I Fly Aviation is in the category of Part 61 flight schools and independent flight instructors. We are NOT PART 141. We are also not an institution of higher learning (university or college). As such, we cannot issue I-20s and cannot assist students to get F-1 or M-1 visas. We CAN train international students who are here on permanent resident status or in a work status (H-type visa) with extended stay privileges or a refugee in asylum status with appropriate DHS documentation. We also may train a foreign national on an F-1 (academic visa) provided that the student is still enrolled and attending the college or university as shown on the F-1 and the student has notified SEVIS* of the additional training being received at a non-SEVIS approved school. *(Student and Exchange Visa Information Service)
- We are able to work within the AFSP (Alien Flight Student Program), and are glad to help eligible aliens with it.
- Students are responsible to assure they comply with visa laws.