View from inside and airplane of two pilots almost landing with the runway close in sight

FAA Certified Flight Training Programs in Sarasota

Explore our comprehensive flight training programs designed to take you from zero to hero.

Choose Your Path

Career Pilot Track & Individual Ratings

From our intensive Career Pilot program to individual flight training courses, we offer a clear roadmap for every aviation goal. Join Cirrus Aviation today and take the first step toward your dream career in the sky.

Select the program that fits your mission, and we’ll provide the mentorship to get you there.

Two Routes, One Destination

Career comparison

Non-Degree
Seeking

Flying Solo

Completion expected in 10 months. Eligible for hire by most aviation companies at 1,500 hours

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Private Pilot License

Instrument Rating

Commercial License

Multi-Engine Rating

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Degree
Seeking

Liberty University

Completion expected in 36 months. Eligible for hire by most aviation companies at 1,000 hours

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Fully Licensed Pilot

Our Programs

Options for your flight training needs

Pilot in front of an airplane's tail smiling to the camera

From 5 to 18 months

Career Pilot Program

Launch your professional career with our career pilot training in Sarasota. Comprehensive programs designed for aspiring airline pilots in Florida.

What You Get

From novice to Certified Flight Instructor
A structured, FAA-approved, and well tested course to head start your aviation career
A diverse portfolio of pilot licenses, including Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IFR), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Multi-Engine Rating (MEL), and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

5 Requirements

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View of the left side of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk on the runway

From 4 to 6 months

Private Pilot

Learn to fly in Sarasota with Cirrus Aviation. Our private pilot training provides a safe, fun, and professional environment for beginner pilots.

What You Get

FAA-approved syllabus, aircraft, and simulators
Clear instruction and consistent guidance from instructors with years of experience teaching students to fly
Training in modern Cessna 172 aircraft

4 Requirements

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From 2 to 4 months

Instrument Rating

Master all-weather flying with instrument rating training in Sarasota. Build a strong foundation for your professional pilot career at KSRQ.

What You Get

Structured Part 141 curriculum for efficiency and consistency
Training in technologically advanced aircraft
Advanced simulator use for excellence and quality in instruction
Access to senior instructors with many years of experience on the field

4 Requirements

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View from inside the cockpit of the instrument panel and the left turbine in a flying airplane

1 Week (Accelerated) or Custom Pacing

Multi-Engine Rating

Advance your skills with multi-engine rating training in Florida. Train in our Diamond DA42 for your professional twin-engine certification.

What You Get

Accelerated 1-week completion option available
Instruction from senior pilots with heavy multi-engine experience
Focus on real-world engine-out safety and management
Structured Part 141 curriculum

4 Requirements

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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.

Ready 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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Airport runway with planes in sight and the sunset in the horizon