We rely on donations to carry out our mission, training student pilots, maintaining aircraft and our facility. Please consider donating to one of our following causes: New Hangar Building, Aircraft Maintenance or BMA Student Subsidies.

Book Lesson Donations Prepayments

Dedicated to helping others
achieve their aviation goals

About Training Mission Aviation

We measure our success as a flight school, not by flight hours, income, or number of students produced, but solely by our ability to create competent, safe and proficient pilots. Our core values will always be Safety, Quality, Integrity and Value.

Training Mission Aviation (TMA) was established in 2017 to provide flight training for students interested in becoming mission pilots. TMA’s curriculum prepares students for the type of flying that operates properly equipped aircraft in remote areas of the world that may be accessible only by airplanes. The primary program includes ground school (classroom study) and flight training that gets students ready to pass the FAA private pilot written and practical exams.

TMA’s work builds on the previous efforts that established a grass strip airport at Blue Mountain Academy in 1969. When the airport was constructed and opened, its goal was to help advance the Gospel through use of aviation. It was felt that mission work around the world could be finished much quicker by the use of the airplane, and that many more pilots would be needed to fill those roles.

TMA’s flight training will also prepare flight students for other types of general aviation activities, such as pleasure flights with family or friends, or flying as a commercial, corporate, or airline pilot. Advanced training is also available for flight certificates and ratings beyond the private pilot level.

Experienced, Knowlegable and Customer Oriented

TMA’s instructors are FAA certified flight instructors (CFIs) who bring a wealth of knowledge from real-world experience in flying careers placing a high priority on customer service.

Eric Engen

Certified Flight Instructor

Eric has been around general aviation his whole life. He took a teaching position in Blue Mountain Academy's Aviation Program where he worked his way through his ratings, and eventually became a Flight Instructor in 2015. Most of Eric's flight experience is in the Cessna 150. He enjoys working with students of all ages, offering them his extensive educational background in flight instruction. He holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and is a certified flight instructor in single engine airplanes.

Rodney Becker

Certified Flight Instructor

Rodney started flying in 1975 as a Student Pilot. On his 16th Birthday, he soled a Cessna 150 for the first time. In college he majored in Avaition and graduated with an A&P License, Commercial, Instrument, Flight Instructor, Basic and Advanced Ground Instructor Ratings. After college, Rodney was a flight instructor for a year followed by a Charter Pilot for a 135 Operator for a total of 12 years; flying Navajo’s, Cheyenne’s, and KingAir’s. In 2018 he received a type rating from Flight Safety in Hawker 800 aircraft. Rodney currently flies for East Coast Jets in Allentown, PA.

Consider making a donation to one of our causes today.

New Hangar Building

We are in the process of building a new 60’ x 60’ hangar at the BMA airport. Additional financial support is needed for this project. Please consider how you would like to support this much needed hangar.

Donate

Aircraft Maintenance

Our Cessna 172 is in need of ADS-B installation (Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast). The projected cost is $6500. Please consider how you would to help us with this needed equipment.

Donate

BMA Student Subsidy

BMA Students are subsidized by Training Mission Aviation to keep the hourly rates more affordable for the students. Please consider how you would like to help students with their flight instruction costs.

Donate

TMA’s Well-Equipped Aircraftt

Our Cessna 172 aircraft is certified and equipped for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The aircraft is well maintained under strict guidelines, with safety inspections every 100 hours of operation.

Cessna 172

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft. Measured by its longevity and popularity, the Cessna 172 is the most successful aircraft in history.

Cessna 172 Specificatons

Range: 736 miles
Top speed: 188 mph
Engine type: Continental O-300, 160-hp
2 nav-comm radios, including Garmin 430 GPS with WAAS, IFR certified

Try Out a Lesson to See What Flying is Like

We offer introductory flights that allow you to experience a sample flight lesson with an FAA certified instructor. You’ll actually get to fly the airplane!

Your one hour session with a certified flight instructor will include:

30 minutes of ground instruction on airport and airport basics
30 minutes of aircraft time in a four-seat Cessna 172 with YOU in the pilot's seat while your instructor demonstrates taxiing, takeoff, manuevering and landing
Recording of your flight lesson in an introductory pilot logbook - yours to keep and use towards future lessons

Not Currently Pursuing a Pilot's License?

Even if you are not planning on pursuing a pilot's license, our introductory flight is a perfect one-time experience for anyone who is interested. So give the gift of flight! It makes a great present for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or any other occasion.

Cessna 172

Our introductory flight in the four-seat Cessna 172 is only

$150

Book Now

Private Pilot Flight Training Program

The Private Pilot Training Program is the first course taken by new student pilots. Flight lessons within the program include maneuvers and procedures required for students to solo the aircraft and conduct a daytime cross-country flight.

Stage I: Pre-Solo

During the pre-solo stage, you will learn a number of items including:

Pre-flight preparation
Taxiing (ground operations)
Takeoffs and landings
Safety procedures and regulations
Basic maneuvers
Basic radio communications

During this stage, you’ll work your way up to taking off and landing the airplane by yourself—your first solo flight!

Stage II: Post-Solo

After your first solo, you’ll learn:

Advanced takeoff and landing techniques
Advanced radio communications
Cross-country flight planning and navigation
Night flying

During this stage, you’ll also be preparing for your knowledge test and conducting additional solo flights, including cross-country flights to other airports!

Stage III: Checkride Prep

This stage will help you prepare for the final oral and flight test, or “checkride,” with an FAA-designated examiner and will include:

Practice “checkrides” with your instructor
Solo practice flights
Any additional instruction needed to fulfill training requirements

Private Pilot Certificate

Federal Aviation Administration Requirements

General

Be at least 17 years of age.
Be able to read, speak, and understand the English language.
Obtain at least a current third-class medical certificate.
Pass a knowledge test as well as a practical test, which consists of an oral and flight exam conducted by an FAA designated examiner.

Flight

Minimum of 40 hours of flight training which must include the following:

~ 3 hours cross-country flight training (flying to other airports at least 50 nautical miles away).
~ 3 hours instrument flight training (flying only by reference to the instrument panel).
~ 3 hours night flying to include:

1 cross-country at least 100 nautical miles total distance.
10 takeoffs and landings.

Minimum of 10 hours solo flight, which includes:

~ 5 hours solo cross-country to include:

1 solo cross-country of at least 150 nautical milestotal distance, with landings at three airports.

3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower.

Note: The minimum hourly requirement set by the Federal Aviation Administration is 40 hours. Most pilots will require more flight time. While the national average is 70 hours, Training Mission Aviation's average is 55 hours.

TMA's Lastest News and Announcements

Keep up to date with our latest news, announcements and special events happening with us and around our industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I “try out” a lesson to see what flying is like?
Yes. We offer a $69 introductory flight in a four-seat Cessna 172 that allows you to experience a sample flight lesson with a certified instructor. You’ll actually get to fly the airplane! The introductory flight includes 30 minutes of ground instruction and 30 minutes of aircraft time. We offer introductory flights $150.
How long does it take to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate?
That depends on how often you can fly each week. Typically, if a student schedules 2 lessons each week, training can be completed in 5-6 months. However, we can tailor the program to fit your needs. Many of our students take one lesson a week or several, depending on their schedules. A typical lesson lasts 2 hours and includes both ground and flight instruction.
How many lessons should I schedule at one time?
You’ll find it convenient to schedule lessons 4-6 weeks in advance. This will keep you on a regular schedule and ensure that your instructor and aircraft are available.
How much "homework" is there outside of flying?
Your instructor will give you textbook reading, take-home quizzes, and other assignments to prepare for upcoming lessons. There's about a 1:1 ratio with studying and flying. For example, scheduling 2 lessons per week will usually result in 2-3 hours flying, with which you can expect 2-3 hours of studying.
How much ground instruction will there be?
Each lesson will include ground instruction before and after the flight. There will also be longer ground instruction sessions as needed throughout the course. The number of hours of ground instruction is typically about half of the flying hours required to complete the course; however, the time required for both ground and flight instruction will vary by individual.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes. While you can take flying lessons at any age, a student pilot must be 16 to solo and 17 to be eligible for the Private Pilot Certificate. Otherwise, there are no other age requirements.
Do you offer a ground school?
Yes. We offer one-on-one ground school, with occasional classroom settings.Ground schools are a great value and offer a fun way to structure your learning! Check with us for current prices for ground school.

Do you still hold lessons during inclement weather?
Yes. During periods of low visibility, low clouds, rain, snow, storms, etc., instructors will conduct ground lessons with their students. If no ground instruction is necessary that day, the instructor will contact the student to reschedule the lesson.
Will I be flying with different instructors?
You will be assigned a primary instructor, who will be responsible for your training program. Occasionally, your instructor will schedule a lesson with another instructor to obtain another objective perspective of your progress. These are called “stage checks” and can be helpful during the training process.
Are there any health/medical requirements?
Yes. A student pilot, to be eligible to solo, must obtain a medical certificate by undergoing a physical from an FAA-designated physician who is certified to issue them. If you are in good health, obtaining a medical is not difficult, and it’s fine if you wear glasses or contacts.
How much will it cost to get my Private Pilot’s License?
Costs will vary depending on your rate of skill development and the time and effort you devote to training. Average costs for this program are outlined on the adjacent page.
After I get my Pilot Certificate, can I rent a plane on my own?
Yes. After earning your Private Pilot Certificate, you can rent the same airplane model without any additional instruction. You can also receive additional instruction to rent other aircraft. The time required for these aircraft “checkouts” will vary by pilot and type of aircraft.
How do I get started?
Simply call our flight school at 484-662-7026 to set up an appointment to meet with a flight instructor to discuss your aviation goals.

For more information about what TMA has to offer, contact us today or call 484-662-7026 to start your aviation journey.

We're located at 370 Academy Road Hamburg, PA 19526
— Please note our hours are by appointment only —