Fly Upstate offers flight training from Private Pilot through Commercial, including Instrument Ratings, flight reviews, IPCs, aircraft rental, time building, ground instruction, and Discovery Flights. Whether you're starting from zero or working toward your next certificate or rating, we can build training around your goals.

Getting started is easy! Send us a message or schedule a Discovery Flight (Introductory Flight) to come meet us, see the airplane, and experience flying for yourself. If you're ready to begin training, we'll walk you through the process, help you get everything you need, and build a schedule around your availability.

We built Fly Upstate around affordable, transparent, and personalized flight training. We don't require huge upfront payments or try to sell you hours you don't need. You pay as you go, train around your schedule, and always know what you're paying for. Our goal isn't just to teach people to fly, it's to build a local aviation community where people can learn, fly, and enjoy aviation together.

The easiest way to reach us is by phone (864-704-9816) (864-561-6049), email (flyupstate@gmail.com), or through our social media pages. You can also send us a message directly through our website. We're based at Pickens County Airport (KLQK) and are happy to answer questions or help you plan your first flight.

We believe flight training should be as straightforward as possible. Our aircraft rental rate is $160/hr wet, meaning fuel is included, and flight instruction is $55/hr when needed. We also offer discounted block rates, including aircraft rates as low as $150/hr and instruction as low as $50/hr. (A 3.5% processing fee is attached to all credit card transactions).

Absolutely! We offer several ways to help make flight training more affordable.

Our Hometown Heroes Discount is available to Military, First Responders, healthcare professionals, and others who serve our community. Qualifying students can receive up to $1,000 toward Private Pilot training, $1,500 toward an Instrument Rating, and $2,000 toward Commercial training.

We also offer 20-hour block discounts for students who plan to fly or train regularly:

• Aircraft: $150/hr with a 20-hour block

• Flight Instruction: $50/hr with a 20-hour block

The instruction block can be combined with Hometown Heroes benefits for even greater savings. Aircraft block pricing cannot currently be combined with Hometown Heroes Discount.

Block purchases are completely optional, we'll never require you to purchase large amounts of training upfront.

The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours, and students should plan on receiving instruction throughout that training.

With our standard rates:

• Aircraft: 40 hrs × $160/hr = $6,400

• Instruction: 40 hrs × $55/hr = $2,200

• Minimum flight training cost: about $8,600

With our 20-hour block rates:

• Aircraft: $150/hr

• Instruction: $50/hr

• 40-hour minimum: about $8,000

Some students will need additional flight time before they’re ready for the checkride, so the final cost can vary. Training is also available pay-as-you-go, and block purchases are completely optional.

It depends on how often you train. Students flying consistently 2–3 times per week can often finish in 3–4 months, while flying less frequently will usually take longer. The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours, although some students need additional time to be fully prepared for the checkride.