Rates
Artic Flyers
Rental
CFI(Certified Flight Instructor)
C-152.
C-172(Wheels).
PA-18.
C-172(Floats).
160/hr
180/hr
350/hr
350/hr
60/hr
60/hr
80/hr
80/hr
C-152
Rental 160/hr
CFI 60/hr
Rental 180/hr
CFI 60/hr
Rental 350/hr
CFI 80/hr
Rental 350/hr
CFI 80/hr
Ground School
Ground instruction
one on one (8 week course 3x per week)
Rate
60/hr
Group setting (8 week course 3x per week)
Rate
15/hr
pre-post ground school
(Before/after flight)
No charge
IN THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTION BUSINESS SINCE 1967
Our team of three highly experienced and patient instructors is dedicated to helping students achieve their aviation goals, no matter how ambitious. We specialize in emergency procedures, taildragger operations, floatplane instruction, and mountain and glacier training, ensuring a comprehensive and versatile skill set tailored to Alaska’s unique flying conditions.
Our students not only learn how to fly but also develop a deep understanding of aircraft systems, down to the smallest detail, to enhance their safety and confidence in the air.
We operate off gravel strips at Lake Hood Strip, offering students firsthand experience with bush operations. Additionally, we conduct training at Anchorage International Airport, exposing students to larger aircraft environments and teaching them how to navigate and operate effectively at Alaska’s largest airport.
This diverse and practical training prepares students for the challenges of flying in some of the most breathtaking and demanding terrains in the world.
Aircraft
Pa-18
- The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is a monoplane with a single engine, which was first introduced in the year 1949. This aircraft was derived from the PA-11 Cub Special and can trace its origins back to the Taylor E-2 Cub of the 1930s.
The Cessna 152
- It’s a Cessna 150 on steroids. This two-place, 110 hp tricycle gear aircraft is another training plane found in most flight school stables. It is dependable,economical, and uncomplicated to fly. Arctic Flyers owns one C152, which is equipped for instrument training.
The Cessna 172
- It’s one of America’s favorite planes to fly. It is an efficient, four-person tricycle gear aircraft, with a 150 hp engine. It is faster than the Cessna 150 or 152, is a better
performer, and only a little more complicated to fly. Many students choose to move up to the C172 after completing basic training in the C150 or C152.
The Taildragger
- Many Alaskan pilots fly “taildragger” aircraft due to the unpredictable terrain they land on. With the nose held higher off the ground in a taildragger, pilots are less likely to encounter expensive “prop dings” and the nose wheel damage more common to tricycle gear aircraft.
- Taildraggers handle differently on the ground and in landing, so instruction in this particular type of aircraft is critical for Alaskan pilots. Arctic Flyers provides flight instruction of this type in the PA-18.
Floats
The Cessna 172
- Our new addition to the fleet! The Cessna 172 on PK floats, with a 160 hp engine, is equipped with a STOL kit and improved exhaust system which increases performance. Solo flight is not available in the Cessna 172 on floats
Courses
Professional Flight Instruction
Professional flight instruction is provided by an Airline Transport Rated pilot:
- Rick Ruess, an FAA-licensed A&P (Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic) and CFI with over 35,000 hours of flying experience, provides instruction in float, tricycle gear, taildragger, instrument, and emergency procedures for Private Pilot to Airline Transport Ratings.
Ground Instruction
Ground instruction includes maintenance and aircraft systems on the aircraft we fly. Training is conducted in Cessna 152, 172, and Piper PA-18 Super Cub with bushwheels.
Our flight school is located at Lake Hood, just south of Lake Hood Strip. We also operate out of Anchorage International Airport to provide students with a well-rounded training environment, including exposure to larger aircraft operations.
Rick Ruess
Rick has logged over 35,000 hours of flight time as a commercial pilot and flight instructor. He has worked for the FAA as an aviation safety inspector and for several Part 135 operations in Alaska. Rick holds an ATP rating with single-engine and multi-engine land ratings, including a Citation type rating, and also has an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics License.