Sarasota's Premier Flight School at KSRQ
Earn your Private Pilot License, or begin an exciting career as a commercial pilot. No matter your path, Cirrus Aviation can help you achieve your dream.
Choose Your Path
Explore our flight training options
Recreational Flying
Fly for fun in Sarasota with Cirrus Aviation. Earn a Private Pilot License or Instrument Rating at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport with expert instructors and a modern aircraft fleet.
Private Pilot
Learn to fly in Sarasota with Cirrus Aviation. Our private pilot training provides a safe, fun, and professional environment for beginner pilots.
View Program DetailsInstrument Rating
Master all-weather flying with instrument rating training in Sarasota. Build a strong foundation for your professional pilot career at KSRQ.
View Program DetailsMulti-Engine Rating
Advance your skills with multi-engine rating training in Florida. Train in our Diamond DA42 for your professional twin-engine certification.
View Program Details
Professional Flying
Launch your career at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Use your GI Bill®, earn a Liberty University degree, or join our Part 141 program to become a commercial pilot and beyond.
Veterans: Use Your GI Bill®
We are GI Bill® approved and authorized to provide VA-supported flight training under FAA Part 141 programs. Learn more about military benefits through our partnership with Liberty University.
Use GI BillEarn Your College Degree
Cirrus Aviation partners with Liberty University to offer you the opportunity of earning a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautics while completing your flight training. See the available flight training programs so you can start flying today.
University ProgramInternational Flight Training
Find out about available accommodations, admissions processes, and general student information so you can start your flight training in Sarasota today.
Start Training in the USA
Either Way,
You Get All the Benefits
Destination Flight Training
Intensive accelerated flight training in just a few weeks.
Accelerated TrainingIn-House Services
From aircraft rental and brokerage to airman testing, we offer all you need.
Our ServicesProfessional Pilot Training in Florida Since 1994
Get to know us
We are a Sarasota-based flight school and aviation services provider built on decades of hands-on experience in pilot training and aircraft operations. As an FAA-approved training organization, we work with aircraft every day, training pilots, managing fleets, and upholding the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and regulatory compliance. That operational foundation shapes everything we do, from flight training to aircraft brokerage and aviation services. Our team brings practical insight, transparency, and a long-term ownership mindset to every client relationship, helping pilots and aircraft owners make confident, well-informed decisions at every stage of their aviation journey.
Contact UsAOPA Flight Training Experience
Customer Feedback Report Participant
Cirrus Aviation is proud to participate in the AOPA Flight Training Experience Customer Feedback Program, an initiative designed to measure and elevate the quality of flight training nationwide. By enrolling in AOPA's Customer Feedback Reports, we actively invite verified student feedback to evaluate our training experience, instructional quality, safety culture, and overall program effectiveness. Participating schools receive a comprehensive report outlining:
- Areas where they excel
- Opportunities for improvement
- Benchmark comparisons against national averages
This data-driven evaluation allows us to continuously refine our programs and ensure we are delivering professional, high-quality instruction aligned with industry best practices. As a recognized participant, Cirrus Aviation has earned the AOPA Customer Feedback Report logo (top right of the image on the leftbelow), which reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and ongoing improvement. Prospective students can feel confident knowing our training standards are measured against national benchmarks and supported by direct customer feedback. We believe excellence in aviation training requires both performance in the cockpit and accountability on the ground, and AOPA's Customer Feedback program reinforces that commitment. Ready to start training at Cirrus? Contact us for more information or schedule a Discovery Flight if you are still uncertain whether flying is right for you.
Don't Take Our Word For It
What Our Students Say
Explore Your Options
Learn more about our flight sim lab, aircraft fleet, and training programs
International Students
Find out about available accommodations, admissions processes, and general student information so you can start your flight training in Sarasota today.
Use Your GI Bill®
Learn about military benefits through our partnership with Liberty University.
Get Your Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautics
Study at Liberty University and see the available flight training programs so you can start flying today.
Flight Sim Lab
Prepare to fly an aircraft through our advanced flight simulators while still adding time toward your flight certifications.
Our Aircraft Fleet
See our well-maintained fleet with advanced avionics available for flight training and rental.
Aircraft Checkout and Rental Rates
Read more about the requirements to rent an aircraft with Cirrus Aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear any doubts you might have
Do I need any prior experience or background to start?
No prior aviation experience is required. All training begins with fundamentals and builds toward advanced skills.
What are the requirements to start flight training?
In order to start training for a private pilot license, the base certification for flight training, you must:
- Be proficient in English.
- Be at least 17 years old when you complete the course.
- Have proof of U.S. citizenship or completed TSA approval.
- Hold at least a Third-Class Medical Certificate before you can fly solo. An FAA medical exam by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is required.
What does flight training consist of?
Training includes:
- Ground School: Classroom instruction covering aerodynamics, regulations, weather, navigation, and safety.
- Dual Flight Instruction: Flight hours with a certified instructor.
- Solo Flight Time: Supervised solo flights once eligibility and proficiency standards are met.
- Written and Practical Exams: FAA Knowledge Tests and Check-Rides.
Can I train part-time?
Yes. Cirrus Aviation supports both full-time and part-time students with flexible scheduling.
What is the main difference between Part 61 and Part 141 flight training?
The main difference is the level of structure and FAA oversight. Part 61 training is flexible and instructor-driven, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Part 141 training follows an FAA-approved syllabus with defined stages, regular evaluations, and ongoing FAA oversight, offering a more structured path that is often preferred for career-focused training.
Got Any More Questions?
News and Highlights
Read the latest news from Cirrus Aviation
NewsFeb 16, 2026•Nayda Cattin
The Professional Pilot Career in 2026: What Aspiring Aviators Should KnowExplore what a professional pilot career looks like in 2026, including training paths, certifications, and opportunities in Florida. Learn how Cirrus Aviation in Sarasota can help you get started.
Read the News
NewsJan 20, 2026•Nayda Cattin
How Aviation Safety Standards Shape the Cirrus Aviation ExperienceWhen you fly an airplane, safety is always the most important thing. At Cirrus Aviation in Sarasota, Florida, keeping students and instructors safe is part of everything we do; from your very first lesson to your final check ride.
Read the News
NewsJan 9, 2026•Nayda Cattin
IFR Ground School: Build a Strong Foundation for Instrument TrainingThis Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Ground School is designed to provide pilots with a structured, practical pathway to mastering instrument flying concepts and procedures.
Read the NewsServing Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Petersburg, and Tampa
Where You Can Find UsOur training location is at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) in Florida, where we provide safe and efficient flight instruction for students from all around the world.
Our Address
8191 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34243, United States
Contact Us
(941) 360-9074Ready to Take the Pilot Seat?
Whether you're chasing a lifelong dream or starting a professional aviation career, our experienced instructors and modern training aircraft are here to help you take off with confidence. Your journey to the cockpit starts today.
Start Today