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Navigating an airplane through weather with only reference to its instruments

Western Colorado Flight Training

Learn to Fly at Montrose Regional Airport

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About Us

Western Colorado's premier flight training group offers ground school and flight training out of Montrose Regional Airport for students interested in obtaining their private, commercial and CFI/CFII/ATP certificates. Instrument ratings, mountain training, flight reviews and instrument proficiency checks are all part of our curriculum. We have our own fleet of rental aircraft or you can bring your own! 

Meet our Instructors

We are here to meet the needs of our students and are able to match students with different styles and personalities. With 1000s of hours of experience, we prioritize safety, precision, and offer instruction at the highest standard. 

Bill Swartz, 737 check airman

Gold Seal CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, A&P 

Bill Swartz

Bill Swartz has been flying since 1968 and has been instructing since 1974. He has flown and taught all over the world in airplanes and helicopters, in all kinds of weather conditions. He is a former airline check pilot, designated pilot examiner and has more than 26,000 hours of flight time. 

Sue Mosher from Pilot Knob Aviation

Gold Seal CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP 

Sue Mosher

Sue has been a flight instructor since 1985 and has accumulated more than 5000 flight hours and 3000 instruction hours in various aircraft, including her Cherokee 235, Turbo Saratoga and Seneca III. Sue has flown extensively across the mountain west including multiple trips to Alaska. 

Brian Scranton Mooney expert

ASEL Commercial/Instrument, CFI, CFII, IGI

Brian Scranton

Brian is a Command Pilot for Angel Flights West. He has been flying since 2013 and has flown more than 1000 hours in just a few short years. He has 500 hours of experience in the PA46, a pressurized, high performance aircraft and has flown hundreds of hours in both the Mooney M20 series as well as the C182/C172 models. 

SERVICES

OUR FLEET

Piper PA24 Comanche

1958 PA24-250 N250RB

N250RB is an IFR-certified 1958 PA24 Comanche. With a service ceiling of 22,000 and a cruise TAS of 180mph, this high performance, complex 4-seater is ready to go for all your cross country and IFR training needs. N250RB is available for rent at a "wet" rate of $185/hour. 

Cessna 172I Training Aircraft

1968 C172I N8498L

N8498L is the perfect training aicraft complete with the Penn Yann 180hp conversion offering substantially more power than a standard 172 and an increase in useful load. The 172 is approved for both Normal and Utility operations. 98L is available for the "wet" rate of $145/hour.

Private Pilot
Certificate

Embark on your journey to becoming a private pilot with our comprehensive training program.

We offer ground school for all the applicable knowledge areas required by FAR 61.105, such as:  principals of flight, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, 

airspace, weather, flight planning and risk management/ADM.

We offer flight training in accordance with FAR 61.107 and are ready to get you on your way to becoming a safe and skilled pilot.

 

​Our approach begins with becoming comfortable with flight controls and basic maneuvers and then progresses to slow flight, stalls, emergency procedures and ground reference maneuvers. We'll then progress to landings, cross country planning and fulfilling all the requirements in preparation for solo flight and your FAA checkride. 

Instrument
Rating

One of the most rewarding feelings is to pilot an aircraft through the clouds and land with only reference to your flight instruments. It's next level skill and we'll teach you every element required (and then some) to ensure you pass your knowledge and flight exams with ease,

 

Flying IFR in the mountains requires a mastery of weather avoidance, precision piloting and excellent decision making—we'll teach you everything you need to make you the safest pilot in the sky.  

“I had an amazing experience learning to fly with Western Colorado Flight Training. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, making the whole process enjoyable.”

Eric P

Destination Flight Training

Montrose in the perfect destination for flight training. With more than 300 days of sun, favorable winds, ample instrument approaches and procedures as well as numerous hotels, restaurants and things to do, pilots come from across the World to train at Montrose Regional Airport. 

Home to Black Canyon National Park, gold medal fishing, miles of hiking/biking/jeeping trails, and offering open-air music at multiple venues as well as festivals such as the Tribute to Aviation, you'll be hard pressed to find a better place to complete your training, add a rating or simply get current. 

Montrose Regional Airport runways

Come Fly With Us! 

Our Partners

Western Slope Aviators Logo
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Angel Flights West Logo
National Association of Flight Instructors Logo

Contact Us

1536 Airport Road 

Montrose, CO 81401

970-201-8570

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