“We pair ambitious student aviators and aircraft owners with experienced mentors in modern Garmin G1000 NXi cockpits and on-site IA maintenance oversight at Olympia Regional Airport.”
Your aviation journey begins on the ground with a comprehensive 30-minute pre-flight briefing conducted in our briefing rooms at Olympia Regional Airport. Your FAA instructor will walk you around the aircraft to conduct an authentic pre-flight walkaround inspection. You will learn how professional aviators inspect the carbon-composite airframe, check fuel sumps for water and sediment purity, verify flight control surface deflections across the ailerons, elevator, and rudder, and examine the propeller, tires, and pitot-static probes. Next, you will step inside the cockpit to explore the state-of-the-art dual-screen Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck, learning how primary flight displays (PFD) and multi-function displays (MFD) render synthetic vision, engine diagnostics, airspeed indicators, and real-time moving map navigation.
Once settled comfortably into the pilot seat with your aviation headset on, you will listen to live air traffic control transmissions from the Olympia Tower and assist your instructor in taxiing the aircraft along the taxiways toward the active runway. After completing the pre-takeoff engine run-up checks and verifying fuel pressure, oil temperature, and flight instrument alignments, you will hear Olympia Tower issue your official takeoff clearance on Runway 17/35. As the throttles advance and the aircraft accelerates down the runway, you will feel the effortless surge of lift as the wheels leave the ground and you climb smoothly into the Pacific Northwest sky.
Upon reaching safe cruising altitude, your instructor will transfer positive control of the aircraft to you with the standard three-way exchange: “You have the flight controls.” With your hands on the center stick and feet on the rudder pedals, you will fly genuine flight training maneuvers including straight-and-level cruising, climbs, descents, and coordinated 30-degree banking turns. From your vantage point high above Thurston County, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic vistas of Mount Rainier, the snow-capped Olympic Mountains, Budd Inlet, Capitol Forest, and the picturesque South Puget Sound archipelago.
Experience modern glass-cockpit flying before enrolling in professional commercial pilot training.
Experience the unforgettable thrill of piloting an airplane with real hands-on control over Washington landmarks.
The ultimate unforgettable gift for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, retirements, and bucket lists.
Get an authentic preview of our FAA Part 61 flight training syllabus, modern fleet, and instructor mentorship.
Get re-acquainted with general aviation in a modern glass cockpit after time away from the pilot seat.
Apply real-world physics, aerodynamics, meteorology, and navigation principles in the cockpit.
From obsolete steam gauges to unpredictable maintenance holds, here is how we engineered past standard industry frustrations:
Many flight schools fly 40-year-old steam-gauge trainers. We fly modern, impeccably maintained Diamond glass cockpits with modern safety systems.
Commercial sightseeing tours don't let you touch the controls. On our Discovery Flight, you fly the airplane for the full flight duration.
Our Gold Seal instructors break down modern Garmin G1000 NXi avionics into simple, intuitive concepts that anyone can grasp comfortably.
Your instructor handles all air traffic control communications while clearly explaining what each radio transmission means.
Unlike Sea-Tac or Boeing Field, Olympia Regional Airport (KOLM) has minimal taxi delays, maximizing your actual flight training time.
Our $249 Discovery Flight is all-inclusive with fuel, aircraft rental, dual flight instruction, and official logbook included.
Every syllabus milestone, dual instruction hour, and progressive maintenance checkpoint clearly defined with zero hidden line items.
One-on-one coaching from a patient, FAA-certificated flight instructor.
Complimentary FAA pilot logbook with your first certified flight entry.
Hands-on walkthrough of modern glass cockpit displays and systems.
Learn how professional aviators inspect aircraft airworthiness.
Personalized consultation on training timelines, budgets, and career paths.
Our solid Crimson Red and Sapphire Blue Diamond DA42 Twin Star and DA40 aircraft provide contemporary glass cockpits that reflect what commercial aviation flies today.
Garmin G1000 NXi Dual PFD/MFD
Synthetic Vision Technology, visual approaches, electronic stability protection, and WAAS GPS.
Austro Turbodiesel Single-Lever FADEC
Electronic engine control eliminates complex propeller and mixture levers, reducing cockpit workload.
Known-Ice (FIKI) TKS Protection
Enhanced flight safety margins and all-weather dispatch capability in Pacific Northwest marine layers.
Dual wide runways (5,501 ft and 4,157 ft), active FAA control tower, precision instrument approaches (ILS, RNAV, VOR), and zero commercial airline queue delays.
Runway 17/35 Length
Controlled Class D
On-Site A&P/IA Hangar
Airline Takeoff Delay
An Instrument Rating isn’t just a piece of paper it’s a proven ability. Here’s what changes for you the day you pass the practical.
PNW ceilings and marine layer are no longer cancellations. You file IFR, depart on schedule, and shoot an approach into your destination.
Long flights into weather, complex airspace, Class B procedures all available without the VFR ceiling restriction.
Banner tow, pipeline patrol, fractional flying, and the runway to Commercial / ATP every paid pilot job requires instrument privileges.
You now have a Plan B beyond "land somewhere VFR" instrument references give you controlled coping capacity in inadvertent IMC.
Real reps over the Cascades, into SeaTac, and across territory instrument pilots in this region fly every week.
Your instrument currency requirements are easy to maintain once seasoned flight reviews, IPCs, and a recurring IFR rental plan keep you sharp.
A structured milestone roadmap designed around your schedule, background, and aviation objectives.
Book a consultation or a discovery flight.
Pick the training pathway that matches your goals.
Begin ground and flight instruction with your CFI.
Practise, plan cross-countries, and sharpen skills.
Complete the required FAA practical test.
The Pacific Northwest is a natural instrument classroom and Olympia Regional (KOLM) puts you in the middle of it. From here, your training environment is the same environment you’ll fly as a working IFR pilot.
Real low-IFR exposure
Marine-layer ceilings, fall rain, fog, and low IFR are unavoidable training opportunities. We turn weather into lessons not cancellations.
Cascade & Olympic terrain
IFR cross-countries over the Cascades and around the Olympics test airway interpretation, oxygen rules, and terrain awareness in actual conditions.
Towered airport from day one
KOLM is towered with ILS, RNAV, and VOR approaches. Real clearances, real ATC vectors, real-world IFR system fluency.
Major-approach training
KSEA, KPDX, KPAE, KHIO Class B, C, and D IFR ops are weekly syllabus destinations, not occasional field trips.
Washington flight regulations
Wildfire TFRs over Capitol Forest, R-6703 military airspace, and noise-sensitive zones near KSEA every flight briefing covers the local layers.
No hidden fuel surcharges. No surprise approach fees. Just honest rates backed by flexible aviation financing options.
Our $249 discovery flight is completely flat-rate with no fuel surcharges or airport landing fees.
Flown in our modern Garmin G1000 glass cockpit fleet with modern Austro or Lycoming powerplants.
Covers 1.0 hour of certified FAA flight instruction and 0.5 hours of ground instruction.
Includes a standard FAA pilot logbook endorsed by your instructor for your personal aviation records.
Subject to weight and balance calculations, one guest may accompany you in the rear seat with prior approval.
If marginal weather prevents a safe VFR flight, we reschedule your lesson promptly at no extra charge.
Marcus V.
Instrument Rated Pilot · Olympia, WA
Dr. Gregory T.
Aircraft Owner · Tumwater, WA
Sarah L.
Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot · Seattle, WA
“I finished my commercial certificate in their accelerated finishing program in just 4 days. Zero wasted time, well-maintained aircraft, and chief pilot Dana’s guidance was top tier.”
David K.
Private Pilot · Lacey, WA
Brian M.
Diamond DA40 Owner · Tacoma, WA
Elena R.
Student Pilot · Olympia, WA
Speak directly with our Chief Flight Instructor or Director of Maintenance to discuss training schedules, leaseback pro formas, or inspection slots.
No prior experience or FAA medical certificate is required for an introductory Discovery Flight. All you need is a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and a desire to experience flying.
Subject to aircraft weight and balance limits and chief pilot approval, you may bring one guest along in the rear passenger seat for a small additional passenger weight fee. Please notify us when scheduling.
You can purchase a Discovery Flight gift voucher directly through our website booking system or by calling our Olympia flight desk. Vouchers are valid for 12 months with easy online scheduling.
