Private Pilot
Structured path from first lesson toward checkride readiness. Flexible scheduling for Texas A&M students and working adults learning to fly in the Brazos Valley.
College Station · Bryan · Brazos Valley · Texas A&M
Flight Training in College Station & Bryan — McKay Aero
Quality training. Fair rates. Airplanes you’ll actually want to fly. Part 61 flight training near Texas A&M with strong access to examiners—Private, Commercial, BFRs, instrument ground refreshers, and Fast-Track intensives at Coulter Field (KCFD).
Training
Flight training offerings
Focused Part 61 pathways for College Station and Bryan students—flexible enough for Aggie schedules, structured enough to finish ratings efficiently. The default lesson length is 2 hours, and you can request a different duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately.
Published instructor rate
$65/hr Instructor time; aircraft rates confirmed when you book.Lesson format
2 hours by default Request another duration when booking; every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun.Commercial Pilot
Build commercial proficiency with access to IFR-capable and classic trainers—progress that fits real schedules without big-school overhead.
Flight Reviews (BFRs)
Efficient, thorough flight reviews for current pilots who need a solid Part 61 review without wasted time.
Instrument Ground School Refresher
Monthly classroom-style instrument ground refreshers to sharpen knowledge and stay sharp on procedures. Ground only—dates confirmed when you inquire.
Fast-Track program
Intensive local training blocks for motivated students who can fly frequently. Honest Part 61 timelines—no destination-camp guarantees. Ask whether Fast-Track fits your goals.
Why McKay Aero
Quality training without the big-school friction
McKay Aero is built for College Station, Bryan, and Brazos Valley pilots who want capable airplanes, fair hourly costs, and practical help getting to the examiner.
Quality instruction
Personal, Part 61 training focused on real proficiency—not assembly-line lessons. Clear expectations, thorough prep, and progress you can measure.
Affordable rates
Train in capable aircraft you’ll actually want to fly. Know what you’re paying for: aircraft time plus instructor time, with current aircraft rates confirmed when you book.
Nice airplanes
Fleet access includes a modern IFR trainer and classic Cessnas—so you can match the airplane to the lesson, not the other way around.
Examiner access
Great local access to examiners in the College Station / Bryan area. McKay Aero helps coordinate checkride logistics when you’re ready.
Aircraft
Aircraft available for training
Train at Coulter Field (KCFD) in a mixed fleet—from a modern Piper IFR trainer to classic Cessna 172s. The published instructor rate is $65/hr. Aircraft hourly rates are confirmed when you book; instructor time is separate.
No aircraft selected yet.
N249JA
Piper Pilot 100i
2021 · Modern IFR trainer
Contemporary IFR-capable trainer suited for primary through commercial-style work—glass-era capability students actually enjoy flying.
Aircraft rate confirmed when you book. Instructor separate.
N60HF
Cessna 172N
IFR certified · Workhorse trainer
Reliable IFR-certified Skyhawk for primary training and cross-country building—the everyday platform many students know well.
Aircraft rate confirmed when you book. Instructor separate.
N7385T
Cessna 172A
1959 · Classic trainer
Classic Cessna character—ideal for time-building and proficiency when the mission fits.
Aircraft rate confirmed when you book. Instructor separate.
Aircraft listed are available for training / fleet access at Coulter Field. Confirm insurance, scheduling, and current aircraft rates when you book. McKay Aero does not guarantee a specific airplane for every lesson—availability varies.
Get started
Book with Brolin
Schedule ground or flight time directly. Instructor time is published at $65/hr. The default lesson length is 2 hours, but you can request a different duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately. Share your goals—Private, Commercial, BFR, Fast-Track, or the next instrument ground refresher—and preferred days around your College Station or Bryan schedule.
Primary contact
Email Brolin directly to request availability and reserve a lesson. The default lesson length is 2 hours; request a different duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun.
brolin@mckayaero.com
What to include
Certificate goals, prior flight time (if any), preferred airport/schedule constraints, and requested lesson length (2 hours by default). You can request a different duration when booking, but every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately. Soft asks welcome: instrument ground refresher seats or BFR timing.
Read the FAQ firstStudent access
Create your student account
Ready to start training with McKay Aero? Fill out the form below to create your student account. Brolin will follow up by phone or email to talk through your goals, schedule, and next steps.
New student
Sign up
Scheduling
Booking availability
PUBLIC SCHEDULE LINK TBA
Request a lesson time
Email brolin@mckayaero.com to request availability, a lesson time, and a duration. The default lesson length is 2 hours; request another duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately.
FAQ
Flight school FAQ — College Station & Bryan
Straight answers for Brazos Valley students comparing flight schools near Texas A&M, Coulter Field, and the surrounding area.
Where do you train?
Training is based at Coulter Field (KCFD) in Bryan, Texas—convenient for College Station, Bryan, Brazos Valley, and Texas A&M schedules. Meeting points and lesson logistics are confirmed when you book with Brolin.
What certificates and services do you offer right now?
McKay Aero focuses on Private Pilot training, Commercial Pilot training, Flight Reviews (BFRs), a monthly Instrument Ground School refresher, and a Fast-Track intensive option. Instrument airplane flight training is not listed as a live offering—ground refreshers only for now.
What airplanes will I fly?
Fleet access for training includes N249JA (2021 Piper Pilot 100i, modern IFR trainer), N60HF (Cessna 172N, IFR certified), and N7385T (1959 Cessna 172A, classic trainer). Aircraft hourly rates are confirmed when you book; the published instructor rate is $65/hr and is separate. See the fleet section.
How much does private pilot training cost in College Station?
Total cost varies with prior experience, how often you fly, weather, and which aircraft you use. Instructor time is published at $65/hr, and lessons are 2 hours by default with a requested duration editable when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately. Aircraft hourly rates are separate and confirmed when you book.
What is the Fast-Track program?
Fast-Track is an intensive local training block for motivated students who can fly frequently. It is Part 61 progress compressed into denser scheduling—not a destination camp with guaranteed day counts. Weather, the McKay Aero schedule, and your preparedness still set the pace. Contact Brolin to see if Fast-Track fits.
Do you offer instrument flight training?
McKay Aero currently offers a monthly Instrument Ground School refresher for knowledge and procedural sharpness. Instrument airplane flight training is not advertised as a live offering on this site.
How do I book a lesson with Brolin?
Email brolin@mckayaero.com (or use the Book with Brolin section) to request a lesson. The default lesson length is 2 hours, and you can request a different duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately.
How are lessons scheduled?
Lessons are 2 hours by default, and you can request a different duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun. Longer lessons can be overwhelming for pilots who have not been flying lately. The published instructor rate is $65/hr; aircraft rates are separate and confirmed when you book.
How do I check the McKay Aero schedule?
Email brolin@mckayaero.com to ask about current availability. The default lesson length is 2 hours; request another duration when booking. Every confirmed lesson has a hard stop—no soft overrun.
Are you affiliated with Texas A&M?
No. McKay Aero is an independent flight training operation that serves Aggies and the broader Brazos Valley—it is not an official Texas A&M University program.
How do I get a medical and student pilot certificate?
Most Private Pilot applicants need at least a third-class FAA medical (or BasicMed where eligible) from an Aviation Medical Examiner, plus the student pilot certificate process through IACRA. Brolin can outline the usual order of steps before first solo for College Station / Bryan students.
What should I bring for a Flight Review (BFR)?
Bring your pilot certificate, medical (or BasicMed docs), logbook, and any recent flying notes. A Flight Review typically includes at least one hour of ground and one hour of flight covering Part 91 and aircraft-appropriate maneuvers. Duration depends on currency—book with Brolin for an efficient review at KCFD.
How does examiner / checkride access work?
One advantage of training in the College Station and Bryan area is strong practical access to examiners. McKay Aero emphasizes thorough prep and helps coordinate checkride logistics when you are ready—without promising outcomes or inventing timelines. Ask Brolin how Private and Commercial applicants typically schedule from Coulter Field.
Why Coulter Field (KCFD) for Aggie-area training?
Coulter Field sits close to College Station and Bryan life—convenient for Texas A&M schedules—with fleet access suited to training and a focused local environment. Many students want capable airplanes and less big-airport complexity while staying near campus and the Brazos Valley.
How do I get current aircraft rates?
Aircraft hourly rates are confirmed when you book with Brolin. Instructor fees are published separately at $65/hr.
Service area
Flight training for College Station, Bryan & the Brazos Valley
McKay Aero serves student and certificated pilots across College Station, Bryan, and the wider Brazos Valley—including Texas A&M students looking for Part 61 training at Coulter Field (KCFD). Whether you are comparing a College Station flight school, seeking affordable Bryan TX flight lessons, or planning a BFR near campus, start with a conversation with Brolin.