Flight Lab

Sunbreak Aviation's Flight Lab is more than just a flight simulator. It's a training program that guides student pilots through flight scenarios that build critical skills.

As students complete sessions and unlock achievements, aircraft control starts to become intuitive.

This makes the transition to the airplane a much smoother process than traditional flight training, where students are asked to onboard a lot of new skills in an active flight environment.

We've been operating our Flight Lab for more than ten years, and we've enjoyed seeing its benefits. When done correctly, simulator training makes the learning process less frustrating, more effective, and always worth the effort.

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A different approach

For many people, learning to fly will be the hardest thing they ever do.

The learning process can feel frustrating. A small airplane in busy airspace isn't much of a classroom.

Training flights can be canceled due to weather or aircraft maintenance.

And it's expensive. It's no surprise that a number of people give up not long after they started.

One reason why some students will stop their training after a few lessons is because they feel like they aren't making progress. There's a lot going on, and it's easy to become overwhelmed. New student pilots might feel like they are being asked to do more than they can handle.

Flight Lab develops the skills necessary to manage an actual aircraft in the flight environment. Student pilots start with flight fundamentals and quickly progress to managing airspeed, altitude, and heading. After ground operations and landings are introduced, various traffic pattern scenarios are explored.

Communication skills are developed in the Flight Lab as well, rather than in the airplane. Most Flight Lab students start talking to Air Traffic Control as soon as they transition to the flight environment.

In the Flight Lab, we can pause the simulation to talk. We can repeat something two or three times for better comprehension. And we have instant replay so that you can see what you're doing moments after you just did it.

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Flight Lab Discovery

You can start Flight Lab with the first lesson in the syllabus, or you can select a Flight Lab Discovery. During the discovery session, you will learn about aircraft controls and flight instruments. You then will conduct a 30-minute flight through a mountain pass en route to an airport on the edge of a scenic lake.

Flight Lab Discovery is a perfect introduction to a Discovery Flight. You'll get an introduction to aircraft control before getting into an airplane for the first time.

A Flight Lab Discovery can be booked on the same day as a Discovery Flight, schedule permitting.

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Who Can Use the Flight Lab?

Sunbreak's Private Pilot students use the Flight Lab as part of their training syllabus. However, other people will get some benefit from Flight Lab as well:

• College and high school students: Busy students typically don't have the time or the resources to complete the training required for a Private Pilot certificate, but they may still want flight experience — either to supplement their ground-based aviation knowledge, or in preparation to pursue flight training when the time is right. The complete Flight Lab course covers every phase of Private Pilot training, but without the time and costs associated with aircraft rental.
   
• "Start over" student pilots: If you stopped flight training after a handful of lessons because you felt like you weren't making any progress, the Flight Lab might be your next destination. All sessions begin with a preflight briefing where we review the lesson material and objectives. Everyone learns at different speeds. The tempo of each lesson can be adjusted to match your learning style.
   
• Rusty pilots: Seasoned pilots who have been on the ground for a while can transition back to the sky more smoothly with some preparation time in the Flight Lab. In addition to restoring good habits, you can practice traffic patterns, sharpen your skills, and get ready for your next hamburger run.
   
• Flying companions: People who spend a lot of time with pilots (typically spouses) may not want a pilot’s license, but they still want to know enough about airplanes to fly safely. Our flying companion training includes an overview of the flight environment and radio procedures, as well as approach and landing.
   

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What equipment is in the Flight Lab?

Our Flight Lab features the commercial version of X-Plane, with a panoramic view of the flight environment across five large screens. A mechanical yoke, rudder pedals, throttle quadrant, trim wheel, aviation radio, and panel switches are within easy reach.

The instructor can control weather, location, time of day, and other criteria from a separate station. The flight environment includes realistic scenery, airports, and navigation aids throughout the United States.

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Can I log my time in Flight Lab?

When people ask if a flight simulator is “loggable,” typically they want to know if time spent in the simulator can be credited toward an instrument rating, IFR currency, or Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC).

Please see our Redbird FMX page if you are looking to log simulator time. One of our instructors would be happy to meet with you!

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Pricing and Scheduling

Flight Lab sessions typically run 2-3 hours, which includes a preflight briefing on the lesson material and that day's flight mission. Each session costs $149.

Feel free to email flightlab@sunbreakair.com to get on the schedule!