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Flight Training in Erie, PA

Start Your Pilot Journey at Erie’s Premier FAA Part 141 & Part 61 Flight School

Start Flying - Book a Discovery Flight

$150 Discovery Flight • FAA Part 141 Flight School • Erie International Airport

 
 

Start Flying Today - No Experience Required

A Discovery Flight is your first real flight lesson. You’ll fly with a certified instructor, take the controls, and experience what pilot training feels like — all for $150. No commitment. No pressure.

  • FAA- certified aircraft

  • Loggable flight time

  • For prospective students exploring training

Book Your Discovery Flight

Why Choose Fundamentals?

FAA Part 141 & Part 61 Training

Train with an FAA-approved flight school offering both structured Part 141 programs and flexible Part 61 training. Our programs support both career-track and recreational pilots training at Erie International Airport (KERI).

GI Bill® Eligible Training

Qualified veterans can apply approved VA education benefits toward flight training, helping reduce the cost of earning professional pilot certifications.

College Aviation Partnerships

Fundamentals Flight Training is the official flight training provider for Gannon University, PennWest University, Community College of Beaver County, and American Winds College of Aeronautics, providing students with structured aviation career pathways.

Structured Career Path

Students can progress from Private Pilot to Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor, creating a clear path toward an aviation career.

All levels of flight training

  • Cessna 172, the premier flight training aircraft at Fundamentals Flight Training, parked on a flat desert-like surface with mountains in the background.

    Private Pilot

    Your Private Pilots Certificate is your first step in aviation. Once earned you will be able to take to the skys on your own.

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  • Cloudy sky representing instrument flight conditions, promoting Instrument Rating training at Fundamentals Flight Training in Erie, PA.

    Instrument Rating

    An Instrument Flight Rating certifies pilots to fly and navigate through clouds and in inclement weather by use of instruments rather than visual ground reference..

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  • Commercial airplane flying above the clouds, illustrating the successful outcome of Commercial Pilot training at Fundamentals Flight Training in Erie, PA.

    Commercial Pilot

    Becoming a commercial pilot allows you to start earning an income from flying. This is also the first step in becoming an Air Transport Pilot.

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  • Pilots in a cockpit preparing to land, with runway visible through the windshield and aircraft controls and navigation screens, illustrating CFI and CFII training at Fundamentals Flight Training in Erie, PA.

    Certified Flight Instructor

    Becoming a CFI or CFII allows you to provide Instruction, build flight experience while being paid, and develop your own flying skills and knowledge.

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  • White twin-engine propeller airplane taxiing on the runway with tree-covered hills and partly cloudy sky, representing Multi Engine Rating flight training at Fundamentals Flight Training in Erie, PA.

    Multi Engine Rating

    A multi engine rating allows you to operate airplanes with more than one engine, which includes a wide range of commercial and private aircraft.

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  • White quadcopter drone flying over a green forested landscape with a camera mounted underneath, representing Commercial Drone 107 training at Fundamentals Flight Training in Erie, PA

    Commercial Drone

    Allows you to legally fly drones for business, from aerial photography to surveying and deliveries. Get certified fast and start turning your passion into profit!

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  • Pilot logbook, pen, slide rule, and aeronautical chart on a table, representing Virtual Aviation Tutoring available nationwide from Fundamentals Flight Training.

    Aviation Tutoring

    Our expert aviation tutoring provides personalized guidance to help you ace your exams, build confidence, and achieve your dreams of becoming a pilot!

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  • Sport Pilot

    Start flying sooner with Sport Pilot training. Fewer requirements, lower costs, and no FAA medical needed—most students earn their certificate in just a few months.

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Choose your course and get ready to soar!

ENROLL NOW!

“Fundamental Flight was my path to Private Pilot. Professionally run with exceptional caring instructors who work to bring out your best. If your thinking about learning to fly, don’t hesitate to set up a meeting and discovery fight, you won’t regret it!!!”

- Jim Bahm

“Fundamentals has distinguished instructors that continue to keep flying fun and safe. Thanks to their teachings, I was able to test for my private license as soon as I hit 40 hours.”

- Sam Forehand

“Life changing! You can become a pilot as a civilian with no military experience! Book the discovery flight today, you will not regret it. Thank you Dave and Vandan for this opportunity!!”

- Derek and Carlie Brown

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

  • David Benson, Certified Flight Instructor and owner of Fundamentals Flight Training, smiling in the cockpit during flight over Erie, PA.

    David Benson, CFI & Owner

  • Matthew (Sam) Conley, Chief Flight Instructor at Fundamentals Flight Training and retired airline pilot with over 30,000 flight hours, standing indoors in professional attire.

    Sam Conley, CFII/MEI, Chief Flight Instructor

  • Devon Natalie, part-time flight instructor at Fundamentals Flight Training and corporate commercial pilot, smiling in the cockpit wearing a headset and sunglasses while making a shaka hand gesture.

    Devon Natalie, CFII/MEI, Chief Flight Instructor

  • Andriy Omelchenko, CFII flight instructor at Fundamentals Flight Training, standing next to a training aircraft on a clear day, ready for flight instruction.

    Andriy Omelchenko, CFII

  • Bryan Loomis, Chief Flight Instructor and CFII at Fundamentals Flight Training, sitting in a commercial airplane cockpit, sharing his extensive aeronautical knowledge with students.

    Bryan Loomis, CFII

  • Ross Hesselgesser, CFII flight instructor at Fundamentals Flight Training, smiling next to a small private jet on a sunny airport tarmac, ready for flight instruction.

    Ross Hesselgesser, CFII

  • Jungsu Ou, CFII

  • Edrick Baez, flight instructor at Fundamentals Flight Training, smiling in a cockpit wearing headphones and sunglasses while preparing for flight instruction.

    Edrick Baez, CFI

  • Ben Huck, CFII flight instructor at Fundamentals Flight Training, smiling in a cockpit with digital flight instruments, preparing for flight instruction.

    Benjamin Huck, CFII

  • Andrew Brissette, CFII

Cessna...
The Standard In Flight Training

Training Aircraft parked on tarmac outside Fundamentals Flight Training at the Erie International Airport

For decades, Cessna aircraft have been the standard for flight training. Their proven safety, reliability, and forgiving flight characteristics make them ideal for student pilots learning the fundamentals of aviation.

At Fundamentals Flight Training, our fuel-efficient Cessna training aircraft provide a safe, stable, and cost-effective platform that allows students to focus on building real flying skills from their very first lesson.

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Full glass cockpit with autopilot Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA)

Modern Instrument Training

Our Technically Advanced Aircraft, “Rosie,” features a modern glass cockpit and autopilot system, giving students valuable experience with the advanced avionics used in today’s aircraft.

Our Piper Tomahawk and Piper Arrow are equipped with modern Garmin GPS systems, including a Garmin 650 touchscreen GPS and Garmin 175 GPS, which support effective training for both instrument and commercial pilot development.

All aircraft in our fleet are instrument certified, ensuring students train in capable, well-equipped aircraft throughout every stage of their flight training.

In addition, our FAA-approved full-motion flight simulator (AATD), equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics, provides a highly effective training environment that supports every phase of pilot training—from initial instrument procedures to advanced flight scenarios—while helping students build proficiency safely and efficiently.

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