Opting Out of Deposit
Should you decide against the refundable $1,500 deposit mentioned earlier, please note that your aircraft rental rates will increase by $10.00 per hour above the standard rate (which includes the deposit). However, students enrolled in a financing program will not be affected by this adjustment and will continue to pay the prices agreed upon within their financing arrangement.
Fuel Fee
Should fuel prices exceed $6.00 per gallon, you will be responsible for covering the additional cost.
Late Return Fee
Delays beyond scheduled time not due to weather, maintenance, or safety, affecting the next booking, incur a $25/hour fee. A 15-minute grace period is allowed without charges.
Damage Liability
If damage occurs due to your negligence, you are liable for the costs. For damages exceeding $5,000 that insurance covers, we will use our policy. However, you may be responsible for any uninsured costs, including the deductible and any increased premiums, emphasizing accountability for negligence.
Airport Fees
If you experience any fees at other airports, you are responsible for those bills even if they are mailed to us.
Note: During training, our standard procedures do not include flying into airports with known fees.
Late Cancel and No-Show Fees
Standard Late Cancel Fee: $250
Automatically charged if you cancel within 36 hours of your scheduled time, for any reason other than maintenance or weather.
No-Show Fee: Additional $50
Charged if you cancel less than 2 hours before, or fail to show up.
Extended Sessions:
If the session was scheduled for more than 3 hours, multiple late cancel fees may apply.
Appeals:
You may appeal within 5 days using this form: Appeal Late Fee
If the session was a rental (no instructor) or a ground lesson without an aircraft, we may reduce the fee by $100 if appealed.
Fees not appealed within 5 days are final.
Pilot Rise may waive fees at our discretion in special cases.
Not Locking the Building or Aircraft
FOR RENTERS: If you fail to close the hangar during a flight, lock the building doors, or lock up and secure the aircraft, you may be subject to a fee of $100 per occurrence. You will also be responsible for replacing or fixing damaged or stolen items due to negligence.
Passengers without Waivers
All passengers flying with you must fill out this waiver. Failing to do so will make you responsible for reimbursing Pilot Rise for any legal fees or settlements regarding your passenger. You may also be charged a $200 fee per passenger.
Not Following Procedures
If you were to not follow a procedure set forth by us or the operator’s handbook, you may be subject to being removed as a student/renter or have additional reasonable fees.
Aircraft Hour Ratio = (1 : 4.8) For every 4.8 an aircraft is booked, you will be charged one hour or the aircraft Hobbs time, whichever is greater. For example, if you take an aircraft for 24 hours and you only fly for one hour, you’d be billed for 5 hours.
Early Termination Charge
Non-Financed Students: $50
Stratus Financed Students: $500
The $50 Non-Financed Early Termination Fee is waived for your first three flights, allowing you to try our training with no obligation. After your third flight, the fee applies but is waived for medical disqualification or if you move over two hours away, ensuring flexibility and fairness in your training commitment. Unlike other flight schools, which may impose large, hidden termination fees often based on a percentage of the course cost, we prioritize transparency and straightforward policies.
For financed students, the early termination charge may not be waived once entering the financing agreement.
Late Payment Fees
Failure to pay an invoice or balance within 4 business will result in late fees thereafter. The late payment fee is 2% of your current balance per week.
Card Surcharge
Paying via a Debit or Credit card incurs a 3.3% surcharge.
Certified Flight Instructor Training From a Two-Year CFI
If you are receiving training from a two-year CFI for the purpose of becoming a flight instructor, the hourly rate for the instructor is $90/hr.
We reserve the right to charge a different rate for flight instruction in unique circumstances. However, this will be communicated prior to any lessons or charges.
Spin Training
If you are seeking spin training and an endorsement for your CFI initial, we charge an extra $150 on top of normal aircraft and instructor rates IF you are not completing your CFI training through us.
Check Refund Fee
If you have a balance on account you would like refunded, there is a $25 check processing fee if you want the refund via check. Refunds via Zelle are processed for free.
Inactivity & Legacy Customers
Accounts with no training, rental, activity, or payments for 12 months are considered inactive and will incur a $10/month administrative fee. This fee helps cover account maintenance and recordkeeping. Clients who maintain a balance over $200 are treated as active students, retaining access to grandfathered pricing, materials, and other perks typically reserved for continuously enrolled clients.