Learn to fly at CLM

Learn to fly at CLM

From your first hour in the cockpit to check ride prep — professional instruction on the Olympic Peninsula.

Train with experienced instructors in modern aircraft at William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM). We build a structured path around your schedule, local airspace, and your goals.

No experience required

Your first hour in the cockpit

A discovery flight is the fastest way to see if flying is for you. You will meet your instructor, walk through a pre-flight, and spend meaningful time in the air over the Olympic Peninsula.

  • Hands-on flight time

    You fly with your CFI beside you.

  • Certified instructor

    Guidance from first greeting to debrief.

  • Structured intro

    Pre-flight, flight, and what training looks like next.

  • Logbook time

    Applicable toward your certificate if you continue.

Cessna 172 training aircraft at CLM

Training journey

Each certificate builds on the last. Most students progress at their own pace.

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Discovery flight

    Introductory flight with a certificated instructor.

  2. 2

    Your pace

    Private pilot

    Build stick-and-rudder skills, navigation, and cross-country experience.

  3. 3

    Add-on

    Instrument rating

    Train for IFR operations and Pacific Northwest weather.

  4. 4

    Advanced

    Endorsements & specialty

    High-performance, mountain flying, and check ride prep.

Training programs

Structured paths tailored to your schedule at CLM.

Foundation

Private pilot

Earn your private certificate with stage checks from pre-solo through check ride preparation. Fly locally and across the Puget Sound region as your skills develop.

Ask about this program

Add-on

Instrument rating

Expand when and where you can fly with instrument training focused on real Pacific Northwest weather and airspace.

Ask about this program

Specialty

Advanced & endorsements

High-performance endorsement, mountain flying, grass and unimproved strips, and busy towered airports with CFII instruction.

Ask about this program

Finish line

Check ride prep

Polish maneuvers, oral prep, and local examiner expectations before your practical test.

Ask about this program

Train in the Cessna 172

Our primary trainer is a well-maintained Cessna 172 based at CLM — forgiving, capable, and suited to Olympic Peninsula weather and terrain.

Capacity
3 passengers
Cruise
~135 mph
Mission
Regional & local
Billing
Wet (fuel included)
View 172 details

Transparent pricing

Published hourly rates. Pay as you fly; instruction is billed at the same rate on the ground or in the aircraft.

Advanced and specialty instruction

$80

Cessna 172, wet

$175

Pilot instruction

$70

Train in well-maintained Cessna 172 aircraft based at CLM. Instruction is billed at the same rate in the aircraft or on the ground. Aircraft time is billed wet, so fuel is included. Plus sales tax where applicable. Effective September 2026.

Advanced and specialty

CFII and specialty training includes:

  • Instrument rating
  • High-performance endorsement
  • Mountain flying
  • Grass and unimproved strips
  • Busy and towered airports

Why train with Citizen Air

Local knowledge, professional standards, and aircraft you can trust.

01

Olympic Peninsula base

Train where you live and fly — CLM puts mountains, coast, and controlled airspace within reach.

02

Operational instructors

CFIs with real-world experience, not just minimum-time instructors checking boxes.

03

Flexible scheduling

We work with your calendar — evenings, weekends, and intensive blocks when you have time.

04

Part 135 operation

Train with a team that runs commercial operations to the same maintenance and safety standards.

Instructors

Our instructor team brings operational experience across Pacific Northwest weather, terrain, and the airports you are likely to use after you earn your certificate. Full instructor profiles are coming soon.

Policies & procedures

Clear scheduling, cancellation, and safety policies keep training predictable. We review expectations before your first lesson — what to bring, how weather calls are made, and how to prepare for each stage.

Ready to start flying?

Book a discovery flight or ask about our programs. We will help you take the first step toward your certificate.