Fort Pierce, FL · Fort Pierce, FL · Spartanburg, SC · wherever you fly
I'm Mike Leighton, a 3-time Master CFI. Your plane or mine, your schedule, your home field — one student at a time. From your very first lesson to your Private Pilot certificate in as few as 14 days.
Takes about 60 seconds · No spam, ever
About MKL
One size does not fit all. I'm Michael Leighton, a 3-time Master CFI with an in-depth training approach designed to elevate your journey in aviation. With over 10,000 hours of dual given, I've instructed in everything from a Piper Cub to a Citation jet. We'll train in your airplane or mine, at your home field or mine, on your schedule — one student at a time.
Five months from today
Most students start exactly where you are right now. The hardest part is taking the first step.
Programs
Zero to your Private Pilot certificate on an accelerated, immersive timeline. Arrive with your written exam passed and your medical in hand — I take care of the rest.
10 days or less*
The most demanding — and most rewarding — rating there is.
to 250 hrs total time
Stick-and-rudder flying at its most fun.
~10–20 hrs
Learn to safely operate twin-engine aircraft.
Our fleet
4 seats · stable, forgiving · primary trainer
My personal Cherokee — the airplane you might just solo in.
2 seats · economical · proficiency trainer
Economical hour-building and proficiency flying.
4 seats · complex · IFR-equipped
Complex time, instrument, and commercial training.
The path
Most students walk in having never flown a small airplane. About five months later, they're licensed pilots — climbing the whole way. This is what happens in between.
Day 1
One hour at the controls with a CFI in the right seat. By the end you'll know if this is for you.
Hour 10
Your instructor steps out, gives you a thumbs up, and you take off alone. Pilots remember this forever.
Month 3
Plan a 150-mile flight, brief weather, navigate, land at a new airport, fly home. A pilot, not a student.
Month 5
Oral exam, then a flight with an examiner. Pass, and you walk out a Private Pilot. Most students do.
After
Dinner two states over. A weekend in the mountains. The country gets a lot smaller.
How far do you want to take it?
You don't have to decide today — but each rating opens up more sky. Here's the whole path.
PPL
Fly yourself, friends, and family — on your schedule.
IR
Fly in clouds and weather, reliably, year-round.
CPL
Get paid to fly. Hobby becomes profession.
ME / CFI
Bigger, faster aircraft. Teach and build hours.
ATP
The left seat of an airliner.
Most MKL students start with a single discovery flight. No experience, no commitment.
FAQ
None at all. Most students walk in having never touched the controls.
On an accelerated, immersive schedule, yes — many students earn the Private Pilot certificate in about two weeks. The catch is you have to arrive ready: written exam passed, medical in hand, and prepared to fly every day.
For your first Private Pilot certificate you'll need at least a 3rd-class FAA medical from an aviation medical examiner (AME). BasicMed comes later.
No — I train under FAR Part 61, not Part 141. Part 61 gives us the flexibility to build training around you and your schedule, in your airplane if you have one, at your home field.
