Understand the airplane. Master the flight.

One-on-one instruction from me, an aerospace engineer and flight instructor. Ground and flight training, built completely around you.

Book a first lesson See training options

Certificates, ratings and endorsements

CommercialCommercial Pilot
InstrumentInstrument Rating
CFICertified Flight Instructor
CFIIInstrument Flight Instructor
ASELAirplane Single-Engine Land
ASESAirplane Single-Engine Sea
AMELAirplane Multi-Engine Land
AGIAdvanced Ground Instructor
IGIInstrument Ground Instructor
ComplexRetractable gear, flaps, constant-speed prop
TailwheelConventional-gear airplanes
High PerformanceEngines over 200 horsepower

Training Offered

Every lesson starts with why the airplane behaves the way it does, so the skills hold up when conditions change.

Private Pilot

Your initial pilot training done right: focusing on safety, competency, and efficiency, in that order. From first lesson to checkride, at a pace that suits your schedule.

Instrument Rating

Precise, confident flying in the system, with a focus on real-world decision making.

Commercial Pilot

Maneuver proficiency and professional standards for your commercial certificate.

Accelerated Flight Training

A dedicated syllabus where you fly multiple times a day, every day, to earn any rating in the shortest time possible.

Discovery Flights

An introductory lesson where you fly the airplane with me beside you. No experience needed, and a great way to see if flying is for you. Flight instruction is free; you pay only for the aircraft rental.

Flight Reviews

The review every pilot needs every 24 months to stay current as pilot in command, with ground instruction and time in the air.

Instrument Proficiency Checks

Restores instrument currency for rated pilots who have fallen out of it, covering approaches, holding patterns and unusual attitudes.

Wings Program Flight Activity

Completing any flight activity required for any level of the FAA Wings Program, the FAA's pilot proficiency program that rewards continuing training.

The Aircraft

Train in a Cessna 172S with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, based at Long Beach (KLGB). It is the same panel you will meet in most modern training and rental fleets.

Cockpit of a Cessna 172S with the Garmin G1000 primary flight display and multi-function display

I can also provide flight training in your own single-engine land (ASEL) plane to reduce costs!

Rates

Simple, transparent pricing. Aircraft and instruction are billed separately.

Aircraft rental (fuel included)$210per hour

Flight instruction$50per hour

Ground instruction$40per hour

One hour of flight training is $260 in total: $210 for the aircraft plus $50 for instruction.

Training in your own single-engine land (ASEL) plane? Only the $50/hr flight and $40/hr ground instruction rates apply.

Discovery flights: you pay only for the aircraft rental. Flight instruction is free!

Meet Rich

Rich Wiens in the cockpit wearing a headset and aviator sunglasses, with red rock cliffs behind him at sunset

I started flying in 2001 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University, graduating with High Distinction in 2008. I began my career as an avionics engineer, then spent years leading engineering, capital infrastructure and operations projects before returning to the cockpit as an instructor.

That engineering background shapes how I teach: understand the systems, understand the physics, and the flying follows. In over 25 years of flying, I've experienced various airspace environments from Los Angeles, Alaska, Houston, Dallas, Boston in the US as well as internationally, and I can help you become a safe competent pilot to be on your way to do the same!

I've earned a reputation among my students for connecting with them right from the first lesson. I shape every flight around the way you learn best, so every minute in the airplane counts. My mission is simple: get you to your goals by the fastest path, using the fewest resources, and make the whole journey a blast. Flying should thrill you, and with me, it will!