Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer rentals at this time due to our high volume of student training. 

Routing to Three Rivers Aero via Google Maps should take you directly to our hangar, however Apple Maps will likely take you to the main airport terminal building. To find our hangar, please follow the instructions posted on the terminal building, or reference the map below.

If you arrive at the terminal building, take flight line drive back out to M-60 and turn left, then take the next left onto the unpaved road that leads towards the hangars. From here, take the curve on your right all the way down to our hangar where you should see our signs.

The best way to get started is to contact us so that we can assist you with the first steps! We would love to have you in for a hangar tour to answer any questions that you may have.

We recommend applying for your FAA medical certificate before you start flight training to ensure that you do not experience any disruptions. We are happy to assist you with this process. 

Please visit this link for more details about applying for an FAA medical.

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification/get

Once you are ready to begin your training, one of our instructors will guide you through our scheduling process so that you can book lessons at your convenience.

Ground lessons are an important part of flight training. They are built into our courses to ensure that you receive personalized, one-on-one lessons with your instructor.

We also offer an optional ground school course via Zoom and in-person to compliment your training experience. This interactive community-driven course is an excellent way to brush up on material you have already covered or learn something new!

Yes, you will be assigned a primary and secondary instructor to monitor your progress and work with you predominantly. You are also welcome to book with any of our other instructors at your convenience. Due to the way that we keep training notes and records, this is a seamless process. 

 We follow a structured course outline for all courses that students have easy access to through our scheduling portal. This makes it easy to track your progress and know what is coming next.

We believe transparency and clear communication is essential for student success and have laid out our courses to reflect this belief.

We highly recommend completing an online ground school course in addition to your lessons.

While our courses are all-encompassing, many people elect to use online software to study for the FAA written exams due to their highly specific nature. These exams use figures that are specific to the test, so most online programs are specialized for this. 

We recommend Sporty's, Gold Seal, or King Schools online ground school courses. 

For all courses that involve solo operations, we require students to hold non-owned aircraft coverage of $60,000 or greater. 

We are happy to assist with this process and policies are typically partially refundable for any unused time. 

After being guided through https://medxpress.faa.gov/MedXpress/Disclaimer.aspx by your instructor, you can schedule a physical with an FAA approved AME. 

Located at KHAI is Brian J. Dykstra, MD who is bookable through https://www.swmfm.com/ or by emailing bdykstrafaaame@gmail.com.

The CTE Aviation Program for high school students is a collaborative effort between the local school district and Three Rivers Aero, designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in aviation. Through this partnership, students are introduced to both manned and unmanned aircraft operations, gaining a solid foundation in aviation theory and hands-on flight training.

The program includes a comprehensive curriculum that covers flight operations, airspace regulations, weather, navigation, and safety. Students will be fully prepared to take the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test by studying subjects such as flight theory, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, and aviation regulations. Additionally, students will receive instruction in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), preparing them to pass the Part 107 Drone Operations Test, which qualifies them as commercial drone pilots.

If you are an interested high school student in the St. Joseph County District, contact your councilor for more information.

Three Rivers Aero is always growing. We are committed to building a strong aviation community and we are constantly looking for ways to expand and connect. 

In the future, you can expect ground school classes/workshops, new additions to our fleet and crew, and fun events like fly-ins and collaboration with local businesses.

If your organization would like to work with Three Rivers Aero, please contact us via phone or email!