Flat Lake Instruction

06/03/2026

Nothing starts up a heated debate like proper pattern entries, but after observing and being a part of several near misses in patterns at Wasilla, Willow, and Big Lake over the years, this bears repeating. There is no such thing as a teardrop entry into the pattern. All non towered fields should be entered into the downwind by the 45 or the midfield 90. My students get this emphasized each flight, I hope other local schools will make this a knowledge topic too before another tragic mid air collision occurs. And no, there is no 3 mile final either. It’s not regulatory, it’s just safer. 85% of midair’s occur on final, mostly due to improper pattern entry. This is a no brainer. Unless you’re out of gas or on fire, enter the downwind. The life you save might be your own.

LINKS:PHAK Ch 14 : https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/16_phak...

05/21/2026

Flat Lake Instruction - Summer Flying Adventures Await!

Tailwheel Endorsements and Seaplane Ratings Now Available!

Ready to expand your pilot skills this summer? Whether you're chasing the thrill of classic tailwheel flying or dreaming of glassy water landings, Flat Lake Instruction has you covered!

Let our 15,000+ hour AK instructors teach you everything you need to know about mastering the art of the tailwheel, and earning your Single Engine Sea rating in the world's most perfect trainer, the iconic Taylorcraft! With no flaps or excess horsepower to cheat with, you will learn the fundamentals perfectly. And with our central location in Big Lake Alaska, you won't waste any time droning to training areas, you'll be landing moments after takeoff. And now offering advanced Seaplane instruction in a Cessna 180!

Check out our website at www.flatlakeinstruction.com for availability and https://maps.app.goo.gl/iY267k9FreyotpMJ9 to see our reviews from happy customers.

Blue skies and Tailwinds!!!

12/09/2025

Congratulations to Benjamin Kudryn on his first solo with Flat Lake Instruction! And I believe he might be the only pilot I know whose first solo occurred on an ice runway (AK48 Haggards Landing)!
Whether it’s tailwheel instruction, a seaplane rating, ski training, or just polishing skills on a Flight Review, let Flat Lake Instruction provide our uber experienced Flight Instructors to help you achieve your aviation goals. Check our website for training, availability, and pricing.

www.flatlakeinstruction.com

09/20/2025

Congratulations to Dylan Yarger and Bob Bassett on completing their seaplane check rides! Their hard work along with the expertise of Examiner Carol Zerbe wrapped up the last float sessions of the year at Flat Lake Instruction, well done!

A special thanks goes out to float whisperer Deb Romann and to Bill Pellett at Premier Aircraft Painting for restoring an 80 year old set of EDO floats to showroom new and making this season possible! Although we have put away our floats until Spring, our tailwheel training, flight reviews, mountain flying, and new aircraft checkouts goes on year round, so be sure to check our calendar for open slots and book your training anytime.
Fly safe and Blue skies!

08/10/2025

Always dreamed of getting your Seaplane Rating? Now might be the time! Flat Lake Instruction has one last training slot this season first two weeks of Sept before closing for winter. Training out of Big Lake, you’ll be learning your new skills on the multitude of lakes within minutes of Big Lake, not droning from Anchorage. The 1946 Taylorcraft is the perfect seaplane trainer, well suited to teach good technique. 2025 rate is $450/hr until you‘re ready for your check ride, a reasonably current pilot can finish with 4 training flights and a check ride, about 7-8 hours (Examiner fees separate).

Aircraft, instructor, and Examiner all ready, just need a student! Please call (907)441-2382 or www.flatlakeinstruction.com to line out your dates. Some say it’s the most fun you can have in aviation with your clothes on, I heartily agree! So give yourself that early Christmas present, you deserve it!

UPDATE Aug 10th: Last slot for 2025 season taken, but consider your seaplane rating with us next year starting May 2026! Fly safe
Wes

07/26/2025

Introducing the newest addition to the Flat Lake Instruction stable of aircraft! “The Drake” is a 1946 BC12D Taylorcraft with a fire breathing 85hp motor bolted on to a set of Edo 1320 floats. She makes the perfect trainer because there is no surplus of horsepower or cheating with flaps, one has to fly the wing perfectly to get airborne! This will pay great dividends when you’re trying to haul 300 lbs of moose meat out of that small lake in your C180 next year.🫎

Ask any float pilot you know, your single engine sea rating might be the most fun you’ve ever had in an airplane. Training will be out of Big Lake and you’ll be setting up for landing within minutes of taking off, not droning for 30 min from Lake Hood. Slots very limited this season, please call (907) 441-2382 for availability and pricing. See you on the lake!

www.flatlakeinstruction.com

06/11/2025

Flat Lake Instruction is proud to introduce our newest addition! Miss America is a beautiful 1976 Bicentennial version F19 Taylorcraft perfectly suited to help you master the art of the tailwheel. Visit our website at www.flatlakeinstruction.com for more information and online scheduling, limited training slots available. Call (907)-441-2382 for more details, fly safe!