Why does AFI Require a Catalina, Night, and Big Bear Checkout?
If you plan on flying to Catalina, at Night, or at High altitude airports like Big Bear you will need to receive prior flight training with a Certified Flight Instructor before being allowed to travel to these airports alone or with passengers. The primary reason for this checkout is for Insurance Purposes. AFI offers a great deal of Insurance to every student and Rental Pilot that trains or rents with our company. In return, to minimize undesirable incidents at airports such as these which can be slightly tricky to takeoff and land at, we ask that you first take a “test flight” to the destination with a Flight Instructor. This keeps our insurance rates down and in turn allows us to offer training at a lower hourly rate for aircraft. Another advantage to these checkout requirements is AFI’s desire to go ABOVE AND BEYOND the BASICS of flight training. When flying alone or with passengers, you can rest assured that you have received the proper training to effectivley handle any situation
