Leading Sarasota Flight School Since 1994
Learn more about Cirrus Aviation, how our flight school came to be, our over 30 years of experience in the flight training business and our commitment to excellence.
Over 30 Years of Safe and Professional Pilot Training at KSRQ
Our History and Commitment
Cirrus Aviation has been training professional and recreational pilots since 1994. The reason for our success is simple. We've never lost our passion for flying airplanes, or our drive to produce the best and most professional aviators in the industry. At Cirrus, we don't believe in "cookie-cutter" flight training. We treat every flight student like an individual, finding out what motivates you, how you learn, and what your strengths and weaknesses are so that we can tailor your training to your specific needs. We also believe in the importance of the student-instructor relationship. You'll fly primarily with one Flight Instructor, which will save you time, money, and frustration. That's a benefit you won't typically find at larger flight schools.
Whether your goal is to become an airline pilot or you just want to learn to fly so you can go and just enjoy the wild blue, Cirrus has the experience, the resources, and the commitment to help you reach your goals safely, efficiently, and affordably.
30+ Years of Excellence
Our Core Values
What We Stand For
Customers
The best interest of our customers always comes first. We, as a company, use our collective expertise in aviation to serve and guide the end user in the best method possible to achieve their goals.
Co-workers
We honor and respect each staff member as an essential and necessary link in the organizational chain. It is thanks to each and every member of our company that our mission is realized.
Company
Appreciate Cirrus Aviation as the organization that provides the vessel to operate within. Remember all that we have built and will still build from now on.
Community
Create and strengthen the network of aviation companies and professionals to ensure a vital ecosystem locally, nationally, and internationally.
Commitment
Employ best efforts every day so each link in the chain is the strongest it can be. Keep flying safe, positive, professional, and fun!
Who We Are
Get to know us
Created in 1994 at The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, the company has grown from 1 airplane, 1 instructor structure to a strong, modern, forward-thinking company. Flight Training at Cirrus Aviation has always used cutting edge technologies and teaching methods. We were the first to use GPS in the region, the first to have Cessna 172S, the first to have G-1000 equipped airplanes, first to state of the art large scale flight simulators, first to utilize online scheduling, and now the first leading the next wave of innovation with 4th generation Aircraft in 2026, with the Elixir airplane.
Visit UsWhy Us
The Cirrus Difference
We're an FAA Part 141 Flight School
Our 141 status requires us to meet the most stringent FAA requirements, which translates into better training and safer airplanes for you.
We Use the Cessna/King Schools Ground School Curriculum
This time-tested program has no match in the industry for both quality and convenience.
We're VISA Approved
We have years of experience with international flight students, from processing the required forms with the necessary US government offices, to helping non-english speaking students gain english language proficiency.
We're a Liberty University Flight Training Affiliate
Imagine being able to get all of your flight training done locally in beautiful Sarasota, Florida, while earning an Aeronautics degree completely online from a prestigious nationally known university!
Why You Should Choose the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
KSRQ is the perfect training environment for the career bound student
See The Differences Between Part 61 and Part 141
Whichever one suits you best we offer
What It Means for the Student
| FAA Part 61 | FAA Part 141 | |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible, Instructor-Dependent | Yes | No |
| Self-guided | Yes | No |
| Progress Checks | Maybe | Yes |
| Milestone-based with stage checks | Maybe | Yes |
| On-site Exams | Maybe | Yes |
| Structured, School-Guided | Maybe | Yes |
| Standardized Training | No | Yes |
| FAA Syllabi Approved by Course | No | Yes |
| FAA Certificate Applies | No | Yes |
| GI Bill® Eligibility | No | Yes |
| Student Visa (M-1) | No | Yes |
| Student Loan Eligible | No | Yes |
| Minimum Flight Hours - Private | 40 hrs | 35 hrs |
| Minimum Flight Hours - Commercial | 250 hrs total | 190 hrs total |
| Which is Best? | Recreational or Career School Transfers | Career Students |
| FAA Part 61 | |
|---|---|
| Flexible, Instructor-Dependent | Yes |
| Self-guided | Yes |
| Progress Checks | Maybe |
| Milestone-based with stage checks | Maybe |
| On-site Exams | Maybe |
| Structured, School-Guided | Maybe |
| Standardized Training | No |
| FAA Syllabi Approved by Course | No |
| FAA Certificate Applies | No |
| GI Bill® Eligibility | No |
| Student Visa (M-1) | No |
| Student Loan Eligible | No |
| Minimum Flight Hours - Private | 40 hrs |
| Minimum Flight Hours - Commercial | 250 hrs total |
| Which is Best? | Recreational or Career School Transfers |
| FAA Part 141 | |
|---|---|
| Flexible, Instructor-Dependent | No |
| Self-guided | No |
| Progress Checks | Yes |
| Milestone-based with stage checks | Yes |
| On-site Exams | Yes |
| Structured, School-Guided | Yes |
| Standardized Training | Yes |
| FAA Syllabi Approved by Course | Yes |
| FAA Certificate Applies | Yes |
| GI Bill® Eligibility | Yes |
| Student Visa (M-1) | Yes |
| Student Loan Eligible | Yes |
| Minimum Flight Hours - Private | 35 hrs |
| Minimum Flight Hours - Commercial | 190 hrs total |
| Which is Best? | Career Students |
What It Means for the School
| FAA Part 61 | FAA Part 141 | |
|---|---|---|
| FAA Syllabi Inspection | No | Approved per Course |
| FAA Instructor Inspection | No | Approved by Course on 141 Certificate |
| FAA Aircraft Inspection | No | Approved by Course on 141 Certificate |
| FAA Maintenance Inspection | No | Approved and Inspected |
| FAA Simulator Inspection | No | Approved by Course on 141 Certificate |
| Record Keeping Inspection | No | FAA-audited, School Maintained |
| FAA Part 61 | |
|---|---|
| FAA Syllabi Inspection | No |
| FAA Instructor Inspection | No |
| FAA Aircraft Inspection | No |
| FAA Maintenance Inspection | No |
| FAA Simulator Inspection | No |
| Record Keeping Inspection | No |
| FAA Part 141 | |
|---|---|
| FAA Syllabi Inspection | Approved per Course |
| FAA Instructor Inspection | Approved by Course on 141 Certificate |
| FAA Aircraft Inspection | Approved by Course on 141 Certificate |
| FAA Maintenance Inspection | Approved and Inspected |
| FAA Simulator Inspection | Approved by Course on 141 Certificate |
| Record Keeping Inspection | FAA-audited, School Maintained |
Cirrus Aviation vs Others at SRQ
| SRQ Brand X | Cirrus Aviation | |
|---|---|---|
| Part 61* | Yes | Yes |
| Part 141 | No | Yes |
| Exam Authority/Checkrides onsite | No | Yes |
| Full Maintenance onsite with In-house IA's | No | Yes |
| GI Bill® Eligibility | No | Yes |
| Student Visa (M-1) | No | Yes |
| Univerisity Program - Reduced ATP | No | Yes |
| Standardized Training | No | Yes |
| Student Loan Eligible | No | Yes |
| Cessna Pilot Center | No | Yes |
| Support Staffing for Students | No | Yes |
| Simulators 141 Approved | No | Yes |
| One-Stop Full Service Experience | No | Yes |
| SRQ Brand X | |
|---|---|
| Part 61* | Yes |
| Part 141 | No |
| Exam Authority/Checkrides onsite | No |
| Full Maintenance onsite with In-house IA's | No |
| GI Bill® Eligibility | No |
| Student Visa (M-1) | No |
| Univerisity Program - Reduced ATP | No |
| Standardized Training | No |
| Student Loan Eligible | No |
| Cessna Pilot Center | No |
| Support Staffing for Students | No |
| Simulators 141 Approved | No |
| One-Stop Full Service Experience | No |
| Cirrus Aviation | |
|---|---|
| Part 61* | Yes |
| Part 141 | Yes |
| Exam Authority/Checkrides onsite | Yes |
| Full Maintenance onsite with In-house IA's | Yes |
| GI Bill® Eligibility | Yes |
| Student Visa (M-1) | Yes |
| Univerisity Program - Reduced ATP | Yes |
| Standardized Training | Yes |
| Student Loan Eligible | Yes |
| Cessna Pilot Center | Yes |
| Support Staffing for Students | Yes |
| Simulators 141 Approved | Yes |
| One-Stop Full Service Experience | Yes |
*Cirrus Aviation also uses Part 61 tailored to each student's needs using Part 141 syllabi and structure.
Our Fleet
Learn More About Our Aircraft
From the Cessna 172 Skyhawk's to the incoming Elixir aircraft, our well-maintained fleet covers all of your flight training and rental needs
Learn MoreReady 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.
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