Flight School

Expand your horizons and enroll in our flight school. Big Sky Aviation works with students to build personalized programs that align with their needs and objectives. As a designated Cessna Pilot Center, our trainees learn to fly in newer Cessna aircraft, including a 2017 G1000 NXi equipped aircraft and a Redbird MX-2 full-motion flight simulator. Learn more about our training system, fleet, licensing requirements and enrollment below.

Discovery Flight

Take a discovery flight in one of Big Sky Aviation’s Cessna 172 Skyhawks! These high-wing aircraft are perfect for getting a birds-eye view and taking great photos.

Call +1 800.752.9207 to schedule your adventure!

Enrollment

Interested in enrolling in our flight school? Give us a call or stop by our location – we will schedule your discovery flight, in which your Certified Flight Instructor will meet with you to establish goals and set expectations for the exploration ahead.

Training Budget + Timeline

Learning to fly requires effective budgeting of a student’s resources. Those looking to obtain a Private Pilot’s license will spend about $12,000; this expense will differ slightly from person to person, as some cost variables are calculated on an individual basis. The time required to complete training is more difficult to estimate. Some trainees earn their Private Pilot License after six weeks, some span their flight school experience over the course of a few years; it all depends on student schedule and availability.

Have questions about available financing and/or your timeline?
Contact Big Sky Aviation  »   Call | Email

Curriculum

Students at our Cessna Pilot Center learn through comprehensive curriculum offered by the Cessna Flight Training System. This powerful and interactive online-training tool, in combination with Big Sky Aviation instruction, prepares future pilots for achievement of their short and long-term aviation goals. Training is offered for the following specializations: Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor.

Instructors

As a Cessna Pilot Center, each of our FAA Certified Flight Instructors are held to a higher standard. Through continuing education and practical training, they stay current with aviation technology and information to equip soon-to-be pilots with relevant knowledge and skills. As educators, they put forth continuous effort to better serve their students through new teaching methods and individualized solutions. As aviation enthusiasts, they make sure you have a great time!

Meet our Flight Instructors

Safety

We believe that safe pilots are competent pilots. Prioritizing safety is paramount in aviation, which is why it is an emphasized focus throughout every lesson. Big Sky Aviation upholds an exceptional safety record, and we prepare students so they may do the same.

Flight School Fleet

Big Sky Aviation’s flight school utilizes a Redbird MX-2 full-motion flight simulator, and operates newer model Cessna 172 Skyhawks and a brand-new, 2017 Cessna 172 G1000 Nxi. In addition, we offer the opportunity to take advanced training in our Cessna 182 retractable gear aircraft (four-place, high-wing aircraft).

Licensing Requirements

To receive your Private Pilot License you must meet all requirements listed in the FAR/AIM manual. These requirements include being at least 17 years of age, passing an FAA medical examination, in addition to scoring within acceptable range on the FAA’s written and practical examinations.  FAA Practical Exam FAQs

Learn more »  FAA Online – Airmen Certification

Testing

To provide optimal convenience to students, Big Sky Aviation offers on-site FAA computerized testing at our PSI Testing Center.

Ready to schedule your test?
Call Big Sky Aviation  »   Toll Free | Local

Post-Training Support

As a licensed pilot, your possibilities are endless – especially when you stay in touch with Big Sky Aviation!  To support your ongoing proficiency and passion for aviation, we offer: free aviation seminars throughout the year (various topics), aircraft rental, assistance locating aircraft for sale, access to our Redbird simulator and resources to aid your pursuit of advanced ratings.

What’s Happening at Big Sky Aviation

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Our Instructors

DENNIS RENAURO

Dennis’ long-run career in corporate aviation has allowed him to return to his roots –– flight training.  As a FAA certified CFII, he loves training new pilots at Big Sky Aviation. If he’s not in one of our Flight School’s lecture rooms or in the Redbird Flight Simulation Lab, you can bet that he’s teaching students in his winged classroom at 1,000 feet.

KEVIN BERTONAZZI

Kevin is an FAA certified CFII at Big Sky Aviation. His enthusiasm for aviation shows though his dedication to providing the best quality flight training to all students.  As he is always looking to advance his own training and bring fresh new ideas to our Flight School, Kevin spearheaded the recent addition of the Redbird MX-2 Flight Simulator lab and created the St. Augustine Academy Third Semester Flight Program.

DAVE BURTON

As a full-time, FAA certified CFII, Dave brings a unique perspective from his well-rounded flight experience. In his time as a pilot, he has flown Cessna 172’s to Gulfstreams. Recently, Dave completed the Cessna G1000 Nxi factory training. As a result, he had the opportunity to implement a one-of-a kind program at Big Sky Aviation’s Flight School, integrating our new 2017 G1000 Nxi aircraft and our Redbird Simulator. Because of this commitment to continuing education, we are proud to offer pilot training that promotes proficiency in current technology.

TIM COULTER

Originally serving as a flight instructor in our early years, Tim has returned to our team as a part-time flight instructor.  As a CFI, he enjoys providing primary flight instruction and recurrent flight training.  At Big Sky Aviation, his airport operations experience and aviation expertise contribute to the diversity of our resources.

SHAUN BAILEY

From the time he was a kid, Shaun was fascinated with airplanes.  Great memories of flying with his dad in his Cherokee and attending Oshkosh with his grandparents fueled his interest.  Shaun took his first flight on his 21st birthday and went on to obtain his Private Pilot license at Big Sky.  After earning a college degree in History, he decided to make aviation his career.

After some time flight instructing and then moving up in the corporate aviation world to fly Embraers, Citations and Boeing 747 jets, Shaun was recently promoted to the position of Captain on the Boeing 767.

In his free time, Shaun enjoys creating and playing music, camping with his fiancée, and flight instructing at Big Sky!  As a CFII, Shaun likes helping someone along the journey from having no experience whatsoever, to flying confidently a mile in the air and safely returning home.   Whether their goal is to learn to fly, become recurrent or advance their skills with an added rating or certificate, Shaun loves keeping his hand in General Aviation and working with students to achieve their goals.

ADAM ENDERS

As a full-time CFII at Big Sky, Adam’s passion for aviation and excitement for teaching is unparalleled.  His personality is high energy and he loves helping people achieve their lifelong dream of learning to fly.  Adam enjoys all aspects of flight training – from initial to advanced and recurrency training.  He also works with students to complete individualized accelerated training programs for Private, Instrument, Commercial and CFI courses.

After spending some time in Alaska working as a pilot for Wings of Alaska airlines, Adam is back home closer to family and friends.  In his free time, Adam enjoys the outdoors, hunting, hiking, camping and spending time with his family.

BIG SKY AVIATION

PHONE
856.825.3160
800.752.9207

EMAIL
info@bigskyaviation.net

DAILY HOURS OF OPERATION
0800 – sunset

ADDRESS
2 Thunderbolt Drive, Millville, NJ 08332

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

BIG SKY AVIATION + AIRPORT LIGHTING
123.00

AWOS
128.125

ATLANTIC CITY CLEARANCE + DELIVERY
122.2

MILLVILLE AIRPORT KMIV

Millville Airport is a world-class airport with a 5,000 and 6,000 foot runway. The airport offers precision approaches, and the ability to pick up IFR clearances on a clearance/delivery frequency. Ample ramp space and state-of-the-art heated hangar facilities will accommodate your aircraft, and makes Millville the perfect stop for your trip.