Personalized Training for Aircraft Owners
John Mahany ATP • CFI • 48 Years as a Pilot
John Mahany
Bio
Hi, I'm John. I've spent 48 years as a pilot and 46 years as a flight instructor, with experience ranging from 91.135 and Part 121 operations to Alaska bush flying in the early 1990s and 16 years as an instructor at FlightSafety. I hold an ATP with CE-500 and LR-JET type ratings, along with ratings in the North American B-25 and DC-3. I'm also an aviation writer and speaker on safety topics. Today I work exclusively with owner/pilots, traveling to you and your aircraft rather than working out of a single flight school. My focus is accelerated IFR training for aircraft owners who want quality instruction tailored to the airplane they actually fly.
Training Courses
Accelerated IFR Training
An intensive, owner-focused program to get you instrument rated efficiently, flying and studying in your own aircraft.
Commercial Pilot Training
Build the precision and professionalism needed to earn your commercial certificate, tailored to the aircraft you own.
Complex & High-Performance Endorsements
Get checked out and endorsed in your complex or high-performance aircraft with a thorough, owner-specific program.
Flight Reviews & IPCs
Stay current and proficient with a personalized Flight Review or Instrument Proficiency Check in your own airplane.
Aircraft Checkouts
Whether certified, LSA, or experimental, get a thorough checkout in your specific aircraft before you fly it solo.
Additional Training & Pilot Services
Update, August 2026. I am NO LONGER working as a CFI-I for Professional Instrument Courses, aka PIC, as an independent instructor, as of June 2026. We amicably parted ways. So I am available to work one-on-one with clients who want to get their instrument rating, in THEIR AIRPLANE, at their location, wherever they live, in the US. No international clients because of TSA requirements.
I am ALSO AVAILABLE, to work with any pilots who need training for any of these reasons;
- Learning and understanding aviation weather better
- Mentoring
- Check ride prep for any other rating; PPL, - Comm’l; MEL, CFI etc.
- Finish up training for any other rating; PPL, Comm’l, MEL, CFI etc.
- FAA Wings Proficiency Training
- FAA Required high-performance, complex and tail-wheel endorsements
- Avionics training
- Intimidated by busy airspace and ATC? I can help you with that.
- Intimidated by short runways and/or high elevation airports? I can help with that.
- Anything else you might need. 43 years’ experience as a CFI.
About my experience; I have gained wide-ranging experience over 40+ flying many different aircraft including; Beechcraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Mooney, Piper, and others, including some experimental (E/AB) aircraft. Please see my 'Meet Your Instructor' page for more information on the aircraft I’ve flown.
The 10-day course is designed for busy professionals, who are also aircraft owners, for whom it is hard to find time to complete the training required for the instrument rating.
So, an instructor, like me, who is a long-time, experienced CFII, travels to YOUR location to work with you, one-on-one, in your airplane, using an FAA approved syllabus. This course is designed to get you through the training in as little as 10-days, training 8 hours a day if needed.
So, yes, you will have to put work or other commitments temporarily on hold, or rearrange as necessary, to complete the training. It is intense, but for some busy professionals, this is the ONLY way to complete the training required for the instrument rating.
It may be possible for you to complete the training in less than ten days IF you have already started training but then things (life) got in the way, and the training has been put on hold or delayed for some reason. Or maybe your CFII has moved on to an airline or other flying job. This is increasingly common.
IF you also have access to a desktop ‘trainer’ or simulator (Basic Airplane Training Device or BATD), and there are many on the market now, (Redbird BATD’s come to mind), the FAR’s allow for up to 10 hours of time on a BATD to be applied to the IFR training. This is a better way to learn your scan and many other procedures, before getting into the airplane. The airplane is a TERRIBLE classroom.
Common Training Uses
- Discovery Flights
- Private Pilot
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- Discovery Flights
Price
- $175/hour wet
Common Training Uses
- Multi-Engine Rating
Price
- $385/hour wet
Training Aircraft
Your Aircraft, Your Training
I don't operate a fixed training fleet. Instead, I train you in the aircraft you already own, whatever it is. That means every lesson builds skills and judgment specific to the airplane you actually fly, not a generic trainer. I travel to you and your aircraft, wherever you're based.
Certified Aircraft
Light Sport Aircraft
Experimental Aircraft
Pricing
Training takes place in your own aircraft. Travel arranged directly with clients.
Flight Instruction
$800/day
Ground Instruction
$800/day
Accelerated IFR Program
$800/DAY, FLIGHT OR GROUND
Quick Reference Guides
IFR SOP’s – Presented to the Brackett Pilots IMC Club
This presentation discusses what are referred to among professional pilots as Standard Operating Procedures, or SOP’s. for short. This PPT addresses SOP’s and how they can be applied when flying IFR in general aviation airplanes, resulting in a safer operation. See how you can apply these to your flying!
PowerPoint Presentation – Loss of Control, a brief description
I created this several years ago to present to a group of pilots about one of the leading causes of accidents for general aviation pilots, that is, loss of control, or LoC! This is now on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List! It is urgently seeking a solution! What can be done to help prevent LoC accidents. This PPT presentation addresses that. And it is a good review of some of the basics of stick ‘n rudder skills.
Weather Basics, Wind and Weather
This is a PowerPoint Presentation that I prepared for an EAA Chapter, discussing and reviewing the basics of wind and weather, that affects ALL of us who fly. Enjoy!
IFR at Non-Tower Airports or Tower Not Operating
Have you ever flown into or out of a non-tower airport or when the tower is not operating? This handy reference will help you navigate these situations safely.
EVENTS
"I really enjoyed your SOP webcast you presented today."
BR
"Outstanding presentation this morning, thank you so much for sharing your time and your insights with us."
ES
"Your Saturday AM program was outstanding and perfect for the GA operator with limited experience, as well as the non-airline trained corporate operator."
TR
Contact John
I'd love to hear from you. Email me at john@johnmahanycfi.com, or send a message using the form below. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
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