# Desert Wings Flight School

> FAA Part 61 career-pilot flight school based at Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona. Trains pilots from first solo through Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) on a single career path, plus discovery flights, biennial flight reviews, and instrument proficiency checks.

Desert Wings was founded in 2025 to give career-focused student pilots one school for their entire training pipeline — PPL through CFI under one roof, with the same instructors who watched them solo signing off their cross-countries. Operations are based at Falcon Field (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, which gets 300+ flying days per year. The school is FAR Part 61, not Part 141.

## Key facts

- **Name**: Desert Wings Flight School
- **Founded**: 2025
- **Certificate**: FAA Part 61
- **Home airport**: Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ), Mesa, Arizona
- **Address**: 4710 E. Falcon Drive, Suite 215, Mesa, AZ 85215
- **Phone**: (480) 499-9500
- **Email**: office@desertwingsflightschool.com
- **Hours**: Monday–Friday 9 AM – 1 PM (walk-ins welcome; office tours by appointment)
- **Website**: https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com

## Programs

The career path (PPL → CFI) is the primary track. Add-ons and one-offs are offered alongside.

- [Private Pilot (PPL)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/private-pilot-training): The FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Foundation for every other rating. ~60–70 flight hours, 3–6 months typical. Archer II.
- [Instrument Rating (IR)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/instrument-rating): Adds IFR privileges to the PPL. ~50 hours, ~3 months. Archer II.
- [Commercial Pilot (COMM)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/commercial-pilot-training): Required to fly for hire. ~190 hours, ~6 months. Archer II.
- [Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/certified-flight-instructor): Teach others to fly. ~25 additional hours, ~3 months. Archer II.
- [Career-pilot path](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/career-pilot): The combined PPL→CFI→ATP pipeline for students aiming at the airlines.
- [Commercial Multi-Engine (COM-ME)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/commercial-multi-engine): Multi-engine add-on. Seneca II.
- [CFI Instrument (CFII)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/certified-flight-instructor-instrument): Instrument instructor rating. Archer II add-on.
- [Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/multi-engine-instructor): Multi-engine instructor rating. Seneca II add-on.
- [Multi-Engine Time Building (TB-ME)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/multi-engine-time-building): Block hours on the Seneca II for time-building toward ATP.
- [Discovery Flight](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/discovery-flight): Intro flight for prospective students. ~0.5 hours, one day.
- [Biennial Flight Review (BFR)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/biannual-flight-review): Required every 24 months for certificated pilots. Aircraft of choice.
- [Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/instrument-proficiency-check): IFR currency check. Archer II.

## Fleet

- **Piper Archer II (PA-28-181)** — tail number N9487K. 180 HP Lycoming O-360. Cruise 128 KTAS. Range 640 NM. Service ceiling 13,650 ft. Dual Garmin G5, IFR-equipped. $280/hour wet. Primary trainer for PPL, IR, COMM, CFI.
- **Piper Seneca II** — multi-engine trainer. Used for Commercial Multi-Engine, MEI, and multi-engine time building.

## Team

- **Rick Ryall** — President. Private pilot since 1989. RV-10 builder. Founded Desert Wings in 2025.
- **Jacob Johnson** — Director of Operations and CFI. ATP, Gold Seal CFI, CFII, MEI, 2,500+ hours.
- **Isaac Young** — Flight Instructor. Gold Seal CFI, MEI.
- **Brandon Schneider** — Flight Instructor. CFI, Aviation Explorer volunteer.
- **Dennis Haworth** — Flight Instructor. Flying since 1990.
- **Devon Webb** — Flight Instructor. CFI, CFII.
- **Patrick Vasquez** — Flight Instructor. CFI.

## Common questions

- **How much does the Private Pilot Certificate cost at Desert Wings?** Use the [pricing calculator](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/pricing#ppl) for a realistic estimate. Final cost depends on training pace and how quickly the student progresses through required hours.
- **How long does PPL training take?** Typically 3–6 months at Desert Wings, with 60–70 total flight hours. The FAA minimum is 40 hours, but the national average is 60–70.
- **What's the minimum age to start training?** Any age to begin. Must be 17 to earn the Private Pilot Certificate; 16 to solo.
- **What's the difference between Part 61 and Part 141?** Desert Wings is Part 61 — more flexible scheduling, individualized pacing, no fixed syllabus. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-approved syllabus with structured timelines.
- **Do you do discovery flights?** Yes — [book a discovery flight](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/discovery-flight) (~0.5 hours, one day). Popular as a gift or "try before you commit" intro to flying.
- **How do I tour the school?** [Book a tour](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/tour) — 30 minutes at Falcon Field. Best in early morning before the desert heats up.

## Site map

- [Home](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/)
- [All programs and pricing](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/pricing)
- [Fleet specs](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/fleet)
- [The team](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/team)
- [Contact](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/contact)
- [Book a tour](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/tour)
- [News](https://www.desertwingsflightschool.com/news)