Private pilot training
Build strong habits from your first flight through the skills and knowledge needed for your private pilot certificate.
Explore private pilot training →Ask about this trainingCentral Florida · FAA Certified Flight Instructor
Learn to fly in Central Florida.
Learn to fly or take the next step with one-on-one instruction from Luis Duarte, an FAA Certified Flight Instructor serving Kissimmee, the Orlando area, and Merritt Island.
Private pilot · Commercial pilot · Flight reviews
Learn · Practice · Progress
01 Individual instruction02 Central Florida locations03 A plan for every flight
Meet your instructor
Hi, I'm Luis.
Flying, learning, and teaching in Central Florida.FAA Certified Flight Instructor · Commercial Pilot, single-engine land
- 2022 · Began flight training
- Today · Instructor Pilot with Civil Air Patrol
- In progress · Bachelor's degree in aviation at Liberty University
I started flight training in 2022 and continued working toward my FAA certificates in Central Florida. Becoming a flight instructor gave me the opportunity to share what I've learned and help other pilots build confidence in the airplane.
The instructors who made the biggest difference for me expected preparation, explained the reason behind a maneuver, and helped me grow more confident in my decisions. I try to give my students that same kind of instruction.
Alongside my work as an independent CFI, I serve as an Instructor Pilot with Civil Air Patrol and am pursuing a bachelor's degree in aviation at Liberty University. I keep studying because aviation continues to give me more to learn and more to share.
I'm passionate about the flying itself, but also about the moment a student starts to understand what the airplane is doing. Whether you're starting from zero or returning after time away, we'll set a clear goal for each lesson and make the most of our time together.
A look at the flight line
The work behind every flight.
Preflight is part of being ready to fly. Take a look at a few moments from my time around the airplane.
Flight instruction
Training that meets you where you are.
Tell me what you're working toward. We'll make a practical plan around your experience, schedule, and available aircraft.
Commercial pilot training
Sharpen your precision, judgment, and single-engine maneuvers as you work toward your commercial pilot certificate.
Explore commercial training →Ask about this trainingProficiency & confidence
Get comfortable with maneuvers, landings, cross-country planning, and real-world decisions at a pace that works for you.
See reviews & proficiency →Ask about this trainingFlight reviews & endorsements
Refresh your skills or discuss training for a high-performance endorsement, tailored to your goals and aircraft access.
Explore flight reviews →Ask about this trainingRates & first steps
Clear rates before you fly.
My instruction is $75 per hour for both ground and flight instruction. Each of the three aircraft shown below rents for $180 per hour wet, meaning fuel is included in the aircraft rate. We’ll confirm availability and plan the lesson before scheduling.
Hourly rates
Ground or flight instruction$75/hr
Aircraft rental · 172R, PA-28-151, or 182$180/hr wet
$255 for one hour of aircraft and instructionThat example combines one billed hour of aircraft rental and one billed hour of instruction. Additional ground instruction is $75 per hour. Actual lesson time and aircraft availability are discussed before booking.
Plan a lesson ↗Your first lesson
Know the plan before you arrive.
Tell me what you want to work on and which airport is convenient. I’ll help confirm an available airplane, any rental account or checkout requirements, and the lesson cost before we schedule. The time we spend on the ground and in the air depends on your goal.
Plan your first lesson01
Tell me your goal
New student, commercial training, flight review, or a skill you want to sharpen—start with where you are now.
02
Confirm the airplane and cost
We’ll discuss the airport, aircraft availability, rental setup, and what the $180 wet aircraft rate plus $75 instruction rate means for your lesson.
03
Brief, fly, and debrief
We’ll prepare on the ground, fly with a clear objective, and finish with feedback and a useful next step.
Where we can train
Based around Central Florida.
I can coordinate instruction around these airports. Tell me your preferred location and airplane; I’ll confirm where the aircraft is available for your date before we schedule.
Aircraft rental is arranged separately from my instruction. If a provider requires a renter account, checkout, or club membership, we’ll go over that first so you know what to expect.
01
Kissimmee Gateway AirportKISM · Kissimmee, FL
02
Orlando North Air ParkFA83 · Orlando area, FL
03
Merritt Island AirportKCOI · Merritt Island, FL
Training aircraft
Three aircraft to fly.
We can train in a Cessna 172R, Piper PA-28-151, or Cessna 182. We’ll choose the aircraft that fits your goals and arrange availability before scheduling.
1 of 2
High-wing trainer
Cessna 172R
A versatile choice for core skills, landings, and cross-country training.
$180/hr wet · instruction $75/hr
1 of 2
Low-wing trainer
Piper PA-28-151
Another single-engine option for building skill and confidence.
$180/hr wet · instruction $75/hr
1 of 3
High-performance aircraft
Cessna 182
Step into more performance for transition training or a high-performance endorsement.
$180/hr wet · instruction $75/hrStart training
Let's get you in the air.
Tell me your goal and where you'd like to fly. I'll follow up about aircraft access, a current estimate, and next steps.
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