Apex Flight Academy Network Master Policy Document. Governs all operations, training, rental, housing, and conduct across all nine campuses. Last revised: August 2026. Questions: admin@apexflightacademy.com
This document is the master policy for all nine Apex Flight Academy campuses: KAPA (Centennial, CO), KFXE (Fort Lauderdale, FL), KSDL (Scottsdale, AZ), KEDC (Austin, TX), KBED (Bedford, MA), KVNY (Van Nuys, CA), KCRQ (Carlsbad, CA), KPAE (Paine Field, WA), and KRTS (Reno-Stead, NV). All students, renters, instructors, staff, club members, and owner-operators are bound by this document at every campus.
Operational authority from highest to lowest:
Campus Directors may issue supplements addressing local airspace, weather, and noise abatement. Supplements may be more restrictive than this document but never less. In conflict, the more restrictive policy governs.
Amendments take effect 30 days after email notice to enrolled students, members, and active renters, except where immediate amendment is required for safety or regulatory compliance. Continued use of Apex facilities constitutes acceptance.
Students may transfer to any Apex campus subject to availability. All training records, stage check results, and financial records transfer automatically. A complimentary one-hour local orientation flight covers campus-specific procedures at the receiving campus.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, hold or be pursuing a valid FAA student pilot certificate, and provide valid government-issued photo ID. ATP-track programs require prior certificate documentation verified by an Apex instructor at the enrollment interview.
All students must complete TSA AFSP verification before the first lesson. U.S. citizens complete the citizenship verification form. Foreign nationals must receive AFSP approval — including biometric fingerprinting — before any flight training begins. AFSP delays do not extend program timelines or provide grounds for deposit refund.
International students must provide a valid passport, visa documentation (M-1 or F-1 as applicable), and proof of financial resources sufficient to complete the enrolled program. Apex does not provide letters of support for visa applications exceeding actual enrollment status.
Pilots holding foreign certificates must obtain an FAA certificate under 14 CFR 61.75 before solo flight. Dual instruction may begin before 61.75 certification is issued, subject to TSA AFSP approval.
Students under 18 require:
A valid medical certificate of the appropriate class is required before solo flight for any certificate requiring one. Apex strongly recommends obtaining a First Class medical early in ATP-track programs. BasicMed is accepted where FAA regulations permit. Apex does not guarantee any training investment if a medical certificate cannot be obtained.
Program deposits of 25% are required at enrollment. The balance may be paid monthly, in full (3% discount), or financed through an Apex-approved lender. Training suspends at 30 days past due. Scheduling privileges suspend at 45 days past due.
| Withdrawal Timing | Refund |
|---|---|
| Before first lesson | 100% less $150 admin fee |
| After first lesson, before 10% of hours | 90% of remaining balance |
| After 10%, before 25% of hours | 75% of remaining balance |
| After 25%, before 50% of hours | 50% of remaining balance |
| After 50% of hours | No refund |
Hours flown, stage check fees, exam fees, and medical fees are non-refundable. Deposits are non-refundable after the first lesson.
Students represent Apex on every ramp, in every FBO, and in every cockpit. Appropriate aviation attire is required — closed-toe shoes, headset-compatible clothing, professional demeanor. Gang-affiliated, offensive, or disruptive clothing is not permitted on campus or in aircraft.
Students arrive 30 minutes before the lesson for preflight. Three documented late arrivals in 90 days result in a formal warning. Unprepared students may have their lesson converted to a ground lesson at instructor discretion — flight time is not charged but the instructor block may be billed.
Falsification of any training record — logbook entries, stage checks, endorsements, or FAA test scores — is grounds for immediate termination, FAA referral, and potential criminal referral. Apex reconciles its records with student logbooks at regular intervals. Discrepancies must be explained in writing.
Students may photograph aircraft and personal flight experiences. Restrictions:
Guests are welcome in common and observation areas. Guests may not enter the flight line, hangars, maintenance areas, or dispatch without staff escort. Guests in aircraft must receive a standard passenger briefing. No guest may touch aircraft controls. The PIC is responsible for all passenger conduct.
Apex enforces:
Immediate non-reviewable termination:
| Campus | Facility | Beds | Monthly Rent Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPA — Centennial, CO | Apex Centennial Residences | 96 | $850–$1,200 |
| KFXE — Fort Lauderdale, FL | Apex Fort Lauderdale Student Suites | 80 | $950–$1,350 |
| KSDL — Scottsdale, AZ | Apex Scottsdale Residences | 72 | $900–$1,250 |
| KEDC — Austin, TX | Apex Austin Student Housing | 56 | $875–$1,150 |
| KBED — Bedford, MA | Apex Bedford Residences | 64 | $1,100–$1,500 |
| KVNY — Van Nuys, CA | Apex Van Nuys Residences | 88 | $1,400–$1,900 |
| KCRQ — Carlsbad, CA | Apex Carlsbad Residences | 60 | $1,300–$1,750 |
| KPAE — Paine Field, WA | Apex Paine Field Residences | 56 | $1,050–$1,400 |
| KRTS — Reno-Stead, NV | Apex Reno-Stead Residences | 48 | $750–$1,000 |
Total network housing capacity: 620 beds. Housing is allocated first-enrolled basis. Apply at enrollment — do not wait until the program start date.
Covered at all campuses unless noted:
Housing is available to students actively enrolled and training. Students who withdraw, complete their program, or are suspended for more than 30 days must vacate within 30 days. Students on approved Leave of Absence may retain housing for up to 90 days with Director of Student Services approval.
Overnight guests permitted up to 3 consecutive nights without notice, up to 10 nights per calendar month with housing coordinator notification. Guests may not use Apex facility amenities without resident escort. No person may use a resident's unit as a primary address without written Housing Coordinator approval.
Quiet hours: 10 PM–7 AM Sunday–Thursday; 11 PM–8 AM Friday–Saturday. Three substantiated noise complaints in 30 days result in a formal warning. A fourth results in housing termination with 30 days' notice. Common areas are shared — Apex provides cleaning twice weekly for common areas only.
Apex may terminate housing for: non-payment (30+ days past due), training withdrawal or suspension, conduct violations, criminal activity on premises, or misrepresentation of enrollment status. Students must provide 30 days' written notice for voluntary termination. Early termination without notice forfeits the security deposit. Immediate termination for safety, criminal activity, or violence.
Students not in Apex housing are responsible for their own accommodations. Each campus maintains a bulletin board and shared document of local housing referrals, furnished apartments, and student housing resources. Apex does not participate in third-party lease negotiations or disputes.
Network scholarships (Rocky Mountain Aviation Scholarship, South Florida Aviation Fund, Desert Southwest Scholarship, Navajo Nation Aviation Grant, Lone Star Aviation Scholarship, New England Aviation Scholarship, Merit Awards, Need-Based Grants) are disbursed directly to the student's training account. Funds apply to tuition and program costs only — not housing, meals, or personal equipment.
Maintaining eligibility requires: active enrollment, satisfactory academic progress, no disciplinary actions in the past 12 months, and at least 8 training flights per month. Scholarship funds are non-transferable and do not carry over upon withdrawal.
Pre-purchased hour bundles expire 24 months from the purchase date. Unused hours are forfeited with no refund. Extensions may be granted for documented medical holds or extraordinary circumstances. Hour bundle hours are non-transferable between students but usable at any Apex campus in the same aircraft category as purchased.
Each program includes one stage check attempt per milestone at no charge. Re-attempt fees: $175 for Part 61 programs, $125 for Part 141 programs. Three failed stage checks at the same milestone trigger a mandatory review with the Director of Training.
Apex covers the DPE fee for a student's first-attempt checkride for any certificate or rating in an enrolled Part 141 program, provided all of the following are met:
All Part 141 programs include mandatory stage checks at defined milestones per the approved Training Course Outline. Stage checks are conducted by a check instructor who is not the student's primary CFI. Failure requires remedial training followed by a re-check before progression. Stage checks may not be skipped or waived regardless of student performance in regular training.
SAP requires: completing at least 75% of scheduled training lessons per calendar month, maintaining passing stage check averages, completing all written examinations within program timeline, and maintaining a training account in good standing. Students falling below SAP receive a written warning and 30-day improvement plan. Failure to meet SAP at improvement plan end may result in administrative withdrawal.
Active enrollment requires at least 2 training flights per week during the active training phase. Students without a logged training flight for 14+ days without an approved hold are placed on training review. Students without training for 30+ days without an approved hold may be administratively withdrawn.
LOAs may be granted for documented medical conditions, military deployment, family emergency, or extraordinary circumstances. LOAs require written request before the leave begins except in emergencies. Maximum 90 days. Extensions beyond 90 days require Academy President approval. LOA time does not count toward program completion deadlines.
A Training Hold (up to 30 days) may be requested for scheduling conflicts, weather delays, or financial account resolution. Three Training Holds in 12 months trigger a mandatory Director of Training review.
All Part 141 programs must be completed within 150% of published program duration. Students exceeding the 150% window without an approved extension are administratively withdrawn. Extensions require documented justification and Academy President approval; additional financial commitment may be required.
No student may be scheduled for an FAA checkride without concurrent written sign-off from the primary CFI and the Chief Standards Pilot, both dated within 60 days of the scheduled checkride. The Chief Standards Pilot may require an additional evaluation flight before providing sign-off at their discretion.
Initial solo requires a current 90-day solo endorsement (FAR 61.87), same-day dispatcher weather and aircraft authorization, and demonstrated ability to perform all required maneuvers to Private Pilot ACS standards. The primary CFI must have flown with the student within the preceding 5 days. First solos are restricted to the traffic pattern of the home airport only.
The 90-day endorsement must remain current throughout the solo phase. If expired, a renewal dual flight with the primary CFI is required before any solo. Apex additionally requires that solo students fly at least once every 10 days during the active solo phase — gaps beyond 10 days require a short dual flight before resuming solo operations regardless of endorsement currency.
Initial solos: traffic pattern only. Solo area flights require a separate endorsement specifying the practice area. Solo cross-country requires a FAR 61.93 endorsement specific to the planned flight with CFI review of the complete flight plan. Solo in Class B requires a specific Class B authorization endorsement per FAR 61.95.
Before any solo cross-country, the primary CFI must review and approve the complete flight plan including alternate, fuel, W&B, and weather. A general endorsement does not authorize unreviewed cross-country flights. VFR flight plan required for all solo cross-countries exceeding 25 NM from home airport. Student must check in with dispatch at departure and arrival.
Requires FAR 61.57(b) night currency and completion of the Apex night operations checkout. Restricted to airports with operational control towers or ASOS/AWOS-equipped lighted runways. Must file with dispatch including expected return time. Check in with dispatch upon landing.
Any incident during a solo flight — hard landings, airborne conflicts, radio failures, weather deviations, any abnormal event — must be reported to the instructor on duty immediately upon landing. Do not attempt to handle abnormal events alone on the ground. Call dispatch immediately. Failure to report is a disciplinary violation regardless of whether the aircraft was damaged.
The Pilot in Command of any Apex aircraft has absolute authority over the aircraft from engine start to engine shutdown. No dispatcher, instructor, examiner, passenger, or executive may override a PIC safety decision. Any person who attempts to pressure the PIC into an unsafe operation must be reported to the Director of Operations upon landing. Apex will never penalize a PIC for a good-faith conservative decision — returning to the airport, diverting, or canceling a flight.
Any certificated pilot may decline to fly at any time before engine start for any safety-related reason, without penalty, charge, or disciplinary consequence. Students uncomfortable with lesson conditions, renters dissatisfied with aircraft condition after preflight, and instructors with student readiness concerns all have an unconditional right to decline.
Any pilot may declare an emergency with ATC at any time without prior approval. Emergency declarations are PIC decisions. Apex fully supports emergency declarations and will not second-guess a good-faith call. Written report to Director of Operations within 24 hours is required following any emergency declaration.
Leaving an aircraft unsecured or undocumented is a disciplinary violation.
Operating an Apex aircraft, the PIC accepts responsibility for all regulatory compliance during the flight. Apex's hull insurance covers the aircraft — it does not relieve the PIC of responsibility for violations, negligence, or damage resulting from PIC decisions. Renter liability insurance (Chapter 11) covers the renter's liability exposure to third parties.
| Tier | Monthly Dues | Aircraft Access | Discount | Advance Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $150 | DA-20, DA-40 NG, Archer TX | None | 14 days |
| Premier | $450 | Standard + DA-42, Seminole, SR-20, SR-22 NA, SR-22T | 10% | 60 days |
| Elite | $950 | Premier + PC-12, King Air series, M700, Denali, TBM 960 | 15% | 90 days |
All rentals billed on Hobbs time in tenths of an hour. Rates are wet — fuel included for flights from and to the home campus. At away airports, renter purchases fuel and submits receipts within 7 days; reimbursed at campus monthly average fuel price. Late receipts (after 7 days) not reimbursed. Premium FBO surcharges above standard rates are the renter's expense.
| Rental Type | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Local (return same day, <50 NM) | 1.0 Hobbs hour |
| Day trip (away <12 hours) | 2.0 Hobbs hours |
| Multi-day | 3.0 Hobbs hours per calendar day |
Approved: personal travel, recurrent training with an Apex instructor, currency flights, business travel as PIC.
Prohibited:
Aircraft must be returned with a minimum of 1 hour of fuel at cruise power, or topped off — whichever is greater. Below-minimum returns are assessed a $50 service charge plus fuel cost. Repeated failures result in suspension of rental privileges.
Apex may substitute a comparable aircraft if the scheduled aircraft is unavailable. Comparable means same category and class with similar avionics. If no comparable aircraft is available and the renter cannot accept a substitution, the rental is canceled at no charge. Checkout in the original aircraft does not automatically extend to the substitute if they are different models.
Apex is not responsible for personal property left in aircraft. Cockpits and cabins are not secure storage. Do not leave portable GPS units, iPads, cameras, or valuables in parked aircraft. Found property is logged at dispatch and held 30 days; high-value items held 90 days.
All Cirrus aircraft (SR-20, SR-22, SR-22T, SF50) require checkout by a Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP). Covers Perspective+ proficiency, CAPS activation and envelope, emergency procedures, and Cirrus-specific abnormals. SR-20 to SR-22T transition requires a reduced 2.0–3.0 hour transition checkout rather than a full checkout.
Each turboprop type requires a full type-equivalent checkout — 25–40 hours combined ground, simulator, and flight depending on prior experience. PC-12 NGX, M700 Fury, TBM 960, King Air 260, King Air 350i, and Beechcraft Denali each have separate syllabi developed with the manufacturer. Elite membership access only. Contact Director of Training for scheduling.
SF50, Phenom 100EV, Phenom 300E, CJ3+, and PC-24 each require an FAA type rating. FAA-approved programs available in-house at campuses where those aircraft are based. Alternatively, Part 142 training with subsequent Apex SOP familiarization (1.0–2.0 hours) is accepted.
12 months without a logged flight in a type requires a 1.0–2.0 hour recurrent checkout before solo rental resumes. Turboprop and jet aircraft: 6-month recurrent cycle. Recurrent checkout is a proficiency confirmation, not a full checkout — documented by the check CFI in the training record.
One-time requirement for Premier and Elite members before first overnight trip. Includes 2.0 hours dual covering trip planning, alternate selection, away-field procedures, and Apex emergency contact protocols. Valid indefinitely; pilots absent from cross-country operations for 36+ months may be asked to review away-field procedures before an extended trip.
| Aircraft Class | Min. Liability | Min. In-Motion Hull | Membership Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA-20, DA-40 NG, Archer TX | $100,000 | $50,000 | Standard+ |
| DA-42, Seminole, SR-20 | $300,000 | $100,000 | Premier+ |
| SR-22 NA, SR-22T | $300,000 | $200,000 | Premier+ |
| PC-12, M700, TBM 960, Denali | $1,000,000 | $250,000 | Elite |
| King Air 260, King Air 250 | $1,000,000 | $300,000 | Elite |
| King Air 350i, King Air B200 | $2,000,000 | $500,000 | Elite |
Avemco, AOPA Insurance Services, Falcon Insurance, and Starr Aviation are pre-approved. Other carriers accepted at Director of Operations discretion. A current Certificate of Insurance naming Apex Flight Academy as Additional Insured must be on file before any rental flight.
Must list Apex as Additional Insured, show policy effective and expiration dates, confirm aircraft classes covered, and show liability and hull limits. ACORD certificates or agent portal certificates are acceptable. Personal declarations pages are not sufficient.
Apex carries comprehensive hull insurance on every aircraft. In the event of damage during a rental, the renter is responsible for the deductible up to the in-motion hull amount in §11.1. Apex's policy covers the aircraft and passenger liability from Apex operations. The renter's liability insurance covers the renter's third-party liability exposure.
Following any damage event, the aircraft is assessed by an Apex A&P. If damage occurred during the renter's operation, the renter is assessed the deductible amount. Written disputes within 10 days; reviewed jointly by Director of Maintenance and Director of Operations. Pre-existing damage documented on the dispatch sheet at rental start is not the renter's responsibility.
No specific weather minimums for dual VFR instruction — a CFII may conduct instruction in conditions below solo or renter minimums at their judgment. Dual IMC requires IFR-certified aircraft and a CFII. Student IMC exposure should be graduated and purposeful.
Zero tolerance for intentional flight into or within 20 NM of a thunderstorm. ATC clearance through convective activity does not constitute Apex authorization. All convective encounters must be reported in the post-flight squawk form. No aircraft dispatched when convective sigmets are active for the planned route.
Flight into known icing is prohibited in all non-FIKI aircraft. FIKI aircraft may operate in known icing only when: pilot holds an instrument rating, FIKI system is verified functional during preflight, and forecast icing is within the published aircraft envelope. Structural ice beyond light accumulation requires immediate exit from the icing layer.
Density altitude performance checks — computed and verbally briefed — are required when field density altitude exceeds 8,500 ft. Applies at KAPA during summer and at any high-elevation away airport. KAPA-specific: summer DA frequently exceeds 9,500 ft. Early morning departures significantly affect climb performance.
| Aircraft | Demonstrated Crosswind | Apex Solo Limit | Apex Renter Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond DA-20 C1 | 15 kt | 8 kt | 12 kt |
| Diamond DA-40 NG | 17 kt | 9 kt | 13 kt |
| Piper Archer TX | 17 kt | 9 kt | 13 kt |
| Diamond DA-42 NG | 19 kt | N/A (no solo) | 14 kt |
| Piper PA-44 Seminole | 17 kt | N/A | 13 kt |
| Cirrus SR-20 | 20 kt | 10 kt | 15 kt |
| Cirrus SR-22 / SR-22T | 20 kt | N/A | 15 kt |
| Turboprop / Jet | Per AFM | N/A | Per AFM × 0.80 |
KAPA: Density altitude year-round. Rapid Front Range afternoon thunderstorms. Mountain wave turbulence common. KFXE: Intense June–September convective season. Hurricane season June 1–November 30. KSDL: Monsoon season July–September — flash floods, haboobs, rapid convective development. KEDC: Spring severe weather March–June. Tornado awareness required. KBED: 120+ annual IMC days. Real icing November–April. FIKI operations standard. KVNY: Marine layer June–August (June Gloom). SoCal airspace requires ATC communication proficiency. KPAE: Pacific Northwest maritime climate — frequent low ceilings. KRTS: Sierra Nevada wave turbulence. Winter mountain weather can be severe.
The PIC is solely responsible for determining airworthiness before every flight. Apex's maintenance sign-off is not a substitute for a thorough preflight. If in doubt, do not fly. Call the A&P on duty. Scheduling pressure is never a reason to skip or abbreviate preflight.
Fuel must be physically verified by sight — not assumed from gauges. Dip the tanks or use the calibrated sight gauge. Accepting fuel quantity from the dispatch sheet without direct verification violates this policy and basic airmanship. Fuel starvation accidents are 100% preventable.
W&B must be calculated for every flight. Aircraft configurations change. Use actual passenger weights — do not estimate. W&B computation sheets must be retained for 90 days after the flight. CG must be within limits for all phases of flight including fuel burn.
Performance planning is required for every flight at non-standard conditions. For KAPA and other high-elevation operations, computing actual takeoff distance, accelerate-stop distance, and climb gradient is not optional — it is a required component of the dispatch briefing at high-DA periods.
At non-towered airports: self-announce at 10 NM out, entering downwind, turning base, and turning final — minimum. At towered airports: full ATC compliance; readback runway assignments, altimeter settings, and frequency changes. KVNY-specific radio procedures briefed before solo at that campus.
Low approaches require prior ATC coordination (towered) or announced intentions (non-towered). Touch-and-go operations are permitted for training with an instructor only. Renters: full-stop landings only. This reduces brake overheating, gear wear, and runway remaining risk on go-arounds.
Aerobatic flight authorized only in fleet-designated aircraft: Extra 300LX, Extra 330LX, American Champion Decathlon. Conducted only in Apex-designated aerobatic practice areas at altitudes providing full recovery margin. Requires Apex aerobatic checkout or direct supervision of an aerobatic-endorsed Apex CFI. No aerobatics in any other Apex aircraft under any circumstances.
Formation flight of any kind involving Apex aircraft is prohibited without written authorization from the Academy President. This applies regardless of both aircraft being Apex aircraft, the pilot's formation training credentials, or the purpose of the flight.
Each campus maintains published noise abatement procedures per airport authority requirements. Compliance is not optional — violations affect Apex's ability to operate at campus airports. Campus-specific procedures are posted at dispatch and in aircraft. KAPA: avoid flight below 2,000 ft AGL over Parker communities to the east.
Requires FAR 61.57(b) currency. Position lights and anti-collision lights verified operational during preflight. Functioning handheld flashlight in the cockpit required. Solo night requires dispatcher authorization and a filed return time. Night IFR requires instrument rating, current currency, and filed IFR flight plan.
Operations above 18,000 ft MSL require an IFR clearance and appropriate equipment. RVSM airspace (FL290–FL410) requires RVSM-certified aircraft and crew. RVSM awareness training is included in the type checkout for King Air, Phenom, CJ3+, PC-24, and SF50 aircraft. Altitude alerting systems must be operational for any operation above FL180.
Aircraft are dispatched topped off unless otherwise noted on the dispatch sheet with documented reason (weight limitation, short flight, etc.). The PIC must verify that the dispatched fuel state is consistent with the planned flight plus required reserves before accepting the aircraft.
Aircraft must be returned with 1 hour of fuel at cruise power, or topped off, whichever is greater. Below-minimum returns: $50 service charge plus fuel cost. Repeated below-minimum returns result in a formal warning. Fuel-related diversions or emergency declarations are serious disciplinary matters regardless of outcome.
Receipts submitted within 7 days. Apex reimburses at campus average monthly fuel price per gallon. Receipts after 7 days are not reimbursed. Premium FBO surcharges above standard rates are the renter's expense. Use the fixed-base operator's listed standard price as the reference.
Every flight requires a completed squawk form — even if the squawk is "nil discrepancy." Nil squawks confirm the aircraft was returned in good condition. Missing squawk forms are a policy violation followed up by dispatch. Electronic submissions via the Apex app are time-stamped and create the official maintenance record.
Any damage — including hangar rash, bird strikes, taxiway debris impacts, hard landings, and unexplained marks — must be reported in writing within 24 hours. Failure to report is more serious than the damage itself. If damage is discovered and attributed to a flight where no report was filed, the responsible pilot faces full repair cost liability, suspension, and potential termination. Report it the same day.
Premier and Elite members must complete an Apex Cross-Country Checkout before the first overnight or multi-day rental. Includes 2.0 hours dual covering trip planning, alternate selection, away-field procedures, Apex emergency contacts, and after-hours dispatch. One-time requirement; valid at all campuses.
3.0 Hobbs hours per calendar day regardless of actual flying. If you schedule a 4-day trip and only fly 2 days due to weather, the minimum for all 4 days still applies. Plan trips realistically in unsettled weather.
Renters are responsible for arranging and paying for tie-down or hangar at away airports. Aircraft must be hangared overnight if: hangar space is available within 25 NM, forecast winds exceed 25 kt, or hail is forecast within 50 NM. Tie-down reimbursable up to $50/night (Premier) or $150/night (Elite) with receipts within 7 days. Damage due to failure to hangar in foreseeable severe weather is the renter's full deductible responsibility.
Flight outside the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or Canada requires written Academy President or designated VP authorization at least 30 days in advance. Unauthorized international operations result in immediate termination of rental privileges and potential legal action.
Contact dispatch before the original scheduled return time if you anticipate a late return — not after. Unannounced late returns: billed at 1.5× hourly rate for the overage period and counted as a no-show event. Three late returns in 12 months result in 90-day suspension of multi-day rental privileges.
Check in with Apex dispatch on each day of a multi-day rental when no flight is flown. Missed check-ins for 2 consecutive days result in Apex contacting the FBO at the last reported location. Apex may dispatch a ferry pilot at the renter's expense if the renter is unreachable for more than 48 hours during a multi-day trip.
Apex offers full type rating programs for all jet and turboprop aircraft in the fleet, developed in coordination with manufacturers following FAA-approved TCOs. Most turboprop programs require: Commercial certificate, instrument rating, and 250 hours TT minimum. Jet type ratings additionally require an instrument rating and, for two-pilot types, a current first-class medical.
Type-rated pilots must complete a 61.58 proficiency check within the preceding 12 calendar months. Apex offers in-house 61.58 checks for all fleet type ratings. Part 142 training center 61.58 is accepted with subsequent Apex SOP familiarization (1.0–2.0 hours). Currency lapses exceeding 6 months require a full recurrent program.
Structured access to turboprop and jet aircraft under direct Apex type-rated CFI supervision. Minimum 10 mentored hours before solo authorization. Designed for type-rated pilots with limited recent experience or transitioning from a related type. Mentored hours count toward the type checkout requirements.
5-day structured transition program for pilots purchasing or recently having purchased a turboprop or jet aircraft similar to the Apex fleet. Available to non-enrolled pilots. Contact Director of Training for scheduling and current program details.
Apex provides contract training services to corporate flight departments operating aircraft similar to the Apex fleet. Recurrent training, initial type ratings, and CRM programs available. Corporate arrangements negotiated with Academy President. Training services only — Apex does not provide contract pilots or Part 135 operations under this policy.
Simulator sessions bookable up to 30 days in advance. Cancellation with less than 4 hours notice: 1-hour simulator charge. No-show: full session charge. Simulator sessions are 1 hour minimum. Simulator and aircraft scheduling are separate — simulator availability does not affect aircraft availability.
Simulator time in Apex-approved FTDs and ATDs counts toward currency per FAR 61.51(h) and instrument currency per FAR 61.57(c) where the device is approved for that purpose. The FAA approval level of each Apex simulator is posted at the device and in the student portal. Verify the approval level before logging time intended to satisfy a specific regulatory requirement.
All FTD and ATD sessions require an Apex CFI or CFII unless the session is specifically authorized as an unsupervised proficiency session for a type-rated, instrument-current pilot with 100+ hours in type. Unsupervised sessions require Director of Training approval and are limited to Elite members and owner-operators.
See §5.6 for full policy. Summary of requirements for Apex to cover the DPE fee:
Apex does not assign or mandate specific DPEs. Students and renters select their own DPE from the FAA's public DPE list. Apex instructors may provide referrals upon request but have no financial relationships with any DPE. Any DPE conducting a checkride in an Apex aircraft must be approved for that category and class and must brief with the Apex dispatcher before operating the aircraft.
All paperwork must be completed through IACRA before the checkride. Student creates the IACRA application. Recommending CFI completes the IACRA recommendation before the checkride date. Student must bring: IACRA confirmation, logbook with endorsements visible, medical certificate, valid government photo ID, and current pilot certificate. Missing documents result in cancellation — Apex will not intervene with the DPE on document issues.
If a checkride is discontinued by the DPE, a Letter of Discontinuance is issued. The student retains this letter — it allows the re-examination to begin where the original ended. Apex provides additional training for failed areas and schedules re-examination. The DPE fee for re-examination is the student's responsibility unless the discontinuance was due to documented DPE error or weather (weather discontinuations are treated as continuations — Apex covers).
DPE re-examination fees are the student's responsibility in all cases except weather-discontinued continuations. No limit on re-attempt count but each requires a fresh CFI endorsement and, for Part 141 students, a Director of Training review before re-scheduling.
Apex celebrates every certificate earned. Temporary certificate issued by the DPE on checkride day. Permanent certificates arrive by mail within 120 days. Water salutes on the ramp welcome with advance dispatch and FBO coordination. Social media posts must accurately represent the certificate earned.
Any pilot may be temporarily grounded by the dispatcher, Director of Training, or Chief Standards Pilot for:
Automatic temporary grounding until resolved:
Apex grounds any pilot presenting with symptoms of illness, fatigue, emotional distress, or impairment creating a safety concern in the judgment of the dispatcher, Chief Standards Pilot, or Director of Training. Apex does not diagnose — Apex grounds. Medical groundings carry no negative connotation and will not affect the pilot's future access once the concern is resolved.
Safety-related groundings: lifted by the Chief Standards Pilot following an evaluation flight or documented satisfactory investigation outcome. Administrative groundings: lifted automatically when the triggering condition is resolved. Medical groundings: lifted when the Director of Training is satisfied the pilot is fit to return. The reinstatement process is not adversarial — Apex's goal is to return pilots to flying safely.
Priority: Aviate → Navigate → Communicate. Declare emergency with ATC first. Contact Apex dispatch second — do not delay ATC communication. The Apex after-hours dispatch line is available 24/7 for emergencies outside business hours. Divert to the nearest suitable airport rather than pushing to return to the home campus if conditions are deteriorating.
Written incident report to Director of Operations within 24 hours following any: in-flight emergency, abnormal event, ATC conflict, weather deviation, or safety-of-flight event. Report must cover: nature of the event, location and altitude, ATC interactions, actions taken, outcome, and any damage or injuries. Incident reports are used for safety improvement — they are not automatically used for disciplinary purposes. Failure to file a required incident report is itself a disciplinary violation.
Certain accidents and incidents require immediate NTSB notification under 49 CFR Part 830: aircraft accidents with substantial damage or serious injury, certain flight control failures, in-flight fires, mid-air collisions, and other defined occurrences. The Director of Operations determines NTSB notification requirements upon receiving the incident report. Do not move a damaged aircraft after an accident without Director of Operations notification — accident scene preservation is a legal requirement.
The Director of Operations or Academy President may ground the entire Apex fleet or a specific aircraft type at any campus following an accident, systemic safety concern, maintenance issue, or regulatory action. Fleet groundings are immediate and override all scheduled flights. Training flight make-up opportunities provided at no charge. Rental reservation refunds issued in full with priority rebooking.
Apex provides access to critical incident support resources including referrals to aviation mental health professionals who hold FAA medical clearances and understand aviation culture. Students and renters experiencing significant incidents are encouraged to take time before returning to flight. Apex will not rush any pilot back to the aircraft after a traumatic event.
Every pilot who accepts an Apex aircraft accepts responsibility for verifying airworthiness through the preflight inspection. Apex's maintenance sign-off is not a substitute for a thorough preflight. If a student finds a discrepancy during preflight, they report it to dispatch — they do not make the airworthiness determination. That is the A&P's job.
Inoperative equipment must be addressed through 14 CFR 91.213 or the aircraft's MEL. Students and renters do not make MEL determinations — any inoperative equipment is reported to dispatch and the A&P determines whether the aircraft may continue under the MEL. Flying with inoperative equipment not MEL'd or addressed per 91.213 is a regulatory and policy violation.
Apex is responsible for all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, annual inspections, 100-hour inspections, AD compliance, and manufacturer service bulletins. Students and renters do not pay for maintenance beyond published rates. Aircraft removed for maintenance during a rental are not billed during downtime.
Any student or renter has an unconditional right to refuse an aircraft they believe is not airworthy — no penalty, rescheduling charge, or negative notation in the training record. Report the concern to dispatch. The A&P will evaluate. This right exists because the pilot, not the maintenance schedule, is the last line of defense before flight.
Apex manages privately owned aircraft on the fleet for a 15% management fee of gross rental revenue plus a $500–$1,500 monthly fixed administration fee depending on aircraft type. The owner retains title. Apex handles scheduling, maintenance oversight, insurance coordination, and revenue generation through the rental program.
The owner receives scheduling priority over rental customers for their own aircraft with 24-hour advance notice. Owners may block their aircraft for personal use for up to 30 days per calendar year. Blocks exceeding 30 days require Director of Operations negotiation due to impact on revenue sharing and maintenance scheduling.
Rental revenue split: 70% to owner, 30% to Apex after deduction of direct operating costs (fuel when Apex supplies it, maintenance materials, insurance costs attributable to rental operations). Monthly statement by the 15th of the following month. Distributions by the 15th. Apex does not guarantee minimum revenue levels.
All maintenance costs are the owner's responsibility — scheduled inspections, unscheduled repairs, AD compliance, and parts. Apex will not operate a managed aircraft in rental service when any known airworthiness concern exists regardless of owner instructions. If the owner declines to fund required maintenance, the aircraft is removed from the rental program until maintenance is completed.
Owners whose aircraft are in the management program must meet the same currency and checkout standards as any Apex renter to operate their own aircraft. The management agreement does not exempt the owner from Apex's insurance, currency, or checkout requirements. Owner currency lapses are subject to the same recurrent checkout process as any renter.
Either party may terminate with 60 days' written notice. Apex may terminate immediately for: safety concerns, owner failure to fund required maintenance, misrepresentation of aircraft history at entry, or regulatory action involving the aircraft. The owner is responsible for any outstanding maintenance invoices and committed rental reservations in the 60-day notice window. Upon termination, Apex provides full maintenance records and final revenue share accounting.
During rental operations: Apex's commercial hull and liability insurance applies; renter's liability insurance covers renter liability exposure. During owner operations: owner's personal aircraft insurance applies — Apex's rental insurance does not cover owner operations. Owners must maintain their own aircraft insurance in addition to any Apex rental coverage.
Apex aircraft may be listed for sale only with the concurrent written authorization of the Campus Fleet Director and the Academy President. Aircraft must be formally retired from the active fleet before listing — no aircraft may be simultaneously on active training or rental status and for sale. The Aircraft For Sale page is PIN-gated for posting: Campus Directors, Fleet Directors, and designated executives only. The public may view listings freely.
All listings must include complete disclosure of:
Buyers are encouraged to conduct an independent PPI by an A&P of their choosing. Apex makes the aircraft and all maintenance records available for inspection by appointment. Apex's maintenance team is available for hire to conduct PPIs at the published A&P hourly rate. No aircraft will be sold without the buyer having had the opportunity to inspect.
Test flights available with an Apex CFI present. Buyer must hold a certificate appropriate to the aircraft and complete a brief checkout with the Apex CFI before any flight. Buyer pays the published CFI hourly rate. Aircraft insurance during test flights is under Apex's policy. Apex may decline test flight requests from pilots who do not meet currency or experience standards for the aircraft.
Apex accepts wire transfer or cashier's check only. No personal checks, no Apex financing, no cryptocurrency. Title transfer through FAA Aircraft Registration Branch. Buyer files AC Form 8050-2 within 30 days and registers the aircraft within 90 days. Apex provides a completed Bill of Sale upon receipt of cleared funds. Aircraft released upon cleared funds — not upon check clearing initiation.
All proceeds from Apex fleet aircraft sales go directly to the Apex Fleet Acquisition Reserve — a dedicated account used exclusively for new training aircraft purchases. Proceeds are not used for operating expenses. Fleet Acquisition Reserve balance is reported annually in Apex's network transparency report.
Listings are removed when: aircraft sells, aircraft returns to active status, listing contains inaccurate information, or 180 days elapse without a sale (at which point Apex re-evaluates asking price and re-lists or seeks alternative disposition). Apex may remove any listing at any time and is not obligated to sell to any buyer.
Apex Flight Club membership is a separate track from training enrollment. A pilot may be a Club member without being enrolled in a training program, and enrolled students may become Club members. Club membership provides access to club-owned aircraft at reduced rates, participation in governance and acquisition decisions, and an equity share in club-owned aircraft. Club membership does not provide access to Apex's training fleet rental program — rental access requires a separate Apex membership tier.
Club-owned aircraft are available exclusively to active Club members in good standing, scheduled through the Apex dispatch system in a Club-only scheduling pool. Club aircraft access requires the same checkout and currency standards as Apex's rental fleet. Members not current in a specific club aircraft type must complete the applicable checkout before solo flight.
| Dues Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation fee | $500 | One-time; applied to first month's dues |
| Monthly dues | $200 | All members; due 1st of month |
| Aircraft acquisition buy-in | Variable by aircraft | Optional equity stake in specific aircraft |
| Annual maintenance assessment | Pro-rated by aircraft owned | Covers maintenance reserve shortfall if any |
Club aircraft are available to Club members before the general Apex rental pool. If no Club member books a club aircraft within 72 hours of a slot, the aircraft may be opened to general rental at Director of Operations discretion. Priority by membership tenure within the Club. Disputes resolved by Club Safety Officer with appeal to Club Board.
Five-member elected Board: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Safety Officer, Secretary. 12-month terms; elections in November for January start. All active members may vote and run for election. Board meets monthly with minutes posted to all members. Simple majority required for Board decisions. Aircraft purchases above $50,000 and dues changes require a full membership vote with majority of active members.
0.15 cents per Hobbs hour flown in every club aircraft is deposited into the Club Aircraft Reserve Fund. Fund covers scheduled maintenance, unexpected repairs, and aircraft replacement. Reserve Fund is separate from dues, reported monthly on member statements, and presented quarterly to the full membership. Reserve Fund is exclusively for aircraft maintenance and replacement — not operating expenses.
Members may purchase equity stakes in specific club-owned aircraft. Equity is priced at current fair market value divided by 20 maximum equity units per aircraft. Members may hold up to 4 units in any single aircraft. Equity holders receive a proportional share of sale proceeds and proportional scheduling priority for that specific aircraft. Voting rights are one member, one vote regardless of equity holdings.
Buy-in: equity units offered to current members first (right of first refusal), then new members, then the general waitlist, at current fair market value per unit. Buy-out: members may sell equity units through the Club at current FMV per unit; Club has 60 days to find a buyer before the seller may seek outside buyers. Outside buyers of equity units must become Club members before completing the purchase.
One member, one vote. Quorum for a member vote: 50% of active members. Votes may be conducted in person or electronically with 5 days' notice. Board quorum: 3 of 5 members. No proxy voting. Class action or bloc voting arrangements are prohibited.
Elected Safety Officer responsibilities:
5% of monthly dues from all members goes into the Club Scholarship Fund. The Fund provides annual scholarships to Apex students demonstrating financial need and aviation aptitude, selected by member vote in November and announced at the December meeting. Minimum annual award: $1,000 if the fund balance permits. Both Club members and non-members who are Apex students are eligible.
Club members may bring a non-member guest for a flight in a club aircraft provided: the member is acting PIC, the guest receives the standard passenger briefing, and the member is current in the specific aircraft. Non-members may not fly club aircraft solo under any circumstances. Guest flights count against the member's scheduling priority.
Proposals for modifications to club-owned aircraft must be submitted in writing to the Board at least 30 days before the next meeting. Board approval requires 4 of 5 votes. Approved modifications are funded from the Reserve Fund if available, or assessed to equity holders proportionally. No modification may be executed without Board approval regardless of the proposing member's equity stake.
Dissolution requires 75% approval of all active members. Upon dissolution, club-owned aircraft are sold at fair market value. Proceeds distributed to equity holders proportionally, then to all members proportionally by total dues paid. Dissolution does not affect Apex Flight Academy operations.
| Notice Given | Local Rental | Cross-Country / Multi-Day | Instructor Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | No charge | No charge | No charge |
| 24–48 hours | No charge | 1.0 hr aircraft rate | $50 fee |
| 4–24 hours | 1.0 hr aircraft rate | 2.0 hr aircraft rate | 50% of block |
| Less than 4 hours / no-show | 2.0 hr aircraft rate | 4.0 hr aircraft rate | 100% of block |
A no-show is when the pilot does not arrive within 30 minutes of a scheduled block and does not contact dispatch. Three no-shows in any rolling 12-month period: 30-day suspension of scheduling privileges pending Director of Operations review. A fourth no-show in the same 12-month window: 90-day scheduling suspension plus mandatory pre-scheduling deposit of one aircraft hour for all future bookings.
Weather cancellations initiated by the dispatcher carry no charge regardless of notice timing. Pilot-initiated weather cancellations also carry no charge when the pilot can demonstrate that conditions met or exceeded Apex's cancellation criteria. Self-cancelled flights where conditions did not clearly meet the cancellation criteria are treated as standard cancellations per §25.1.
Mechanical cancellations initiated by Apex carry no charge and result in first-priority rebooking at the next available equivalent aircraft slot. Apex will make reasonable efforts to substitute a comparable aircraft at no additional charge. If no comparable aircraft is available and the pilot cannot accept a substitution, the booking is canceled at no charge with priority scheduling credit for the next booking.
Progressive system for most policy violations:
The warning system does not apply to Zero Tolerance items (§3.7) or safety-of-flight violations warranting immediate action.
Suspended pilots may request a formal review with the Chief Standards Pilot and Director of Operations within 30 days. The pilot may bring a representative. The review may result in reinstatement (with or without conditions), extended suspension, or escalation to termination. The Academy President's decision is final. Terminations are not subject to external arbitration.
Cause terminations: no refund of membership dues. Pre-paid training hours refunded on a pro-rated basis less 15% administrative fee. Voluntary terminations with 30 days' notice: full pro-rated refund less 10% administrative fee. Deposits non-refundable after the first lesson in all cases. Refunds processed within 30 days of the effective termination date.
Apex maintains training records per 14 CFR 141.101 and 141.103 for 7 years from the last activity date. Records include: training logs, stage check results, endorsements, CFI sign-offs, currency records, squawk history, incident reports, and payment records. Pilots may request a copy of their complete training record at any time at no charge. Apex does not accept requests to modify or delete training records — they are official and must reflect actual training activity.
Apex complies fully with the Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) and the Pilot Records Database (PRD). For pilots seeking Part 121 or 135 employment, Apex provides required records through the PRD system. Apex reports to the PRD as required by law: training completions, failed stage checks, and cause terminations resulting in regulatory violations.
To the extent Apex constitutes an educational institution under FERPA, Apex provides students the right to inspect and review their educational records, request amendment of inaccurate records, and consent to disclosure. Apex does not disclose student records to third parties without written consent except as required by law or in the context of the student's transfer to another aviation training organization. Students 18 and over must provide written authorization for parental record access.
Apex permits photography on premises for personal use per §3.4. Apex reserves the right to photograph operations for training, marketing, and safety review purposes. Students and renters who do not wish to be photographed for marketing may opt out in writing — training and rental privileges are not affected by the opt-out.
Apex does not sell personal data. Required disclosures: FAA and TSA (regulatory requirements), insurance carrier (policy purposes), payment processor (billing), collections agency (unpaid accounts after 90 days), law enforcement (when legally required). Marketing communications can be opted out of at any time by emailing admin@apexflightacademy.com.
Aviation involves inherent risks that cannot be eliminated by instruction, equipment, or training. By enrolling in any Apex program, becoming a member, or operating any Apex aircraft, pilots acknowledge and accept these inherent risks. The Apex Training Agreement and Liability Waiver signed at enrollment constitutes acknowledgment of assumption of risk. This acknowledgment does not limit Apex's obligations to maintain airworthy aircraft, provide qualified instructors, and operate safely.
Apex's liability for training program deficiencies, scheduling failures, or aircraft substitutions is limited to the value of the services not delivered. Apex is not liable for consequential damages including lost business opportunities, travel costs, or lodging arising from training delays or aircraft unavailability. Nothing in this limitation affects Apex's liability for its own negligence in aircraft maintenance or instructor qualification.
| Campus | Governing Law |
|---|---|
| KAPA | State of Colorado |
| KFXE | State of Florida |
| KSDL | State of Arizona |
| KEDC | State of Texas |
| KBED | Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| KVNY / KCRQ | State of California |
| KPAE | State of Washington |
| KRTS | State of Nevada |
Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the American Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules. Arbitration in the county of the home campus. Each party bears its own attorneys' fees. The arbitrator's decision is final. Class action arbitration is waived — all disputes must be arbitrated individually.
Apex is not liable for delays or cancellations resulting from: weather events, natural disasters, airspace closures, regulatory actions, pandemic or public health orders, labor disputes, or civil unrest. Force majeure events result in training suspension with scheduling credits provided for lost training time. Force majeure does not result in automatic refunds but will result in program timeline extensions equal to the duration of the event.
Apex maintains a lost and found at each campus dispatch desk. Found items logged and held 30 days; high-value items held 90 days with reasonable efforts to contact the owner. After hold period, unclaimed items donated or disposed of. Apex assumes no liability for personal property left in aircraft or on campus. Do not leave valuables in unsecured aircraft.