Desert Wings Flight Academy
Mesa, AZIWA · Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport4.9 (302 reviews)
Overview
Desert Wings is a large Part 141 academy with an international student base, on-campus housing, and direct-entry agreements with three regional carriers. The Arizona weather means very few cancelled lessons.
Training
Part 141
Fleet
41 aircraft
Hourly rate
$170–$225 / hr wet
Financing
Available
Training programs
Private Pilot (Part 141)
35–50 hrs · 3–4 months
$13,200
estimated total
Professional Pilot Program
0–250 hrs · 12 months
$84,900
estimated total
CFI Academy
30 hrs · 6 weeks
$8,200
estimated total
Fleet showcase
C172
Trainer in active rotation
DA40
Trainer in active rotation
DA42
Trainer in active rotation
PA-28
Trainer in active rotation
Instructors
Omar Haddad
Director of Training
9,100 hrs logged
Kelly Nguyen
Assistant Chief
4,300 hrs logged
Jesse Ford
CFII
1,700 hrs logged
Pricing estimates
| Program | Hours | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot (Part 141) | 35–50 hrs | $13,200 |
| Professional Pilot Program | 0–250 hrs | $84,900 |
| CFI Academy | 30 hrs | $8,200 |
Estimates are provided by the school and exclude checkride, medical, and supply costs.
Facilities
- On-campus student housing
- Four flight training devices
- In-house DPE scheduling
- 24/7 dispatch
Student Reviews
Student reviewsRavi S.
5.0
Flew nearly every scheduled day for a year. Went from zero time to CFI on schedule.
Apr 2026
Megan K.
5.0
Housing made relocating painless and the career advising was genuinely useful.
Feb 2026
Frequently asked questions
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Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport
Mesa, AZ 85212
(480) 555-0133
desertwings.example.com
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