Take Flight Over the Twin Cities.
The Best Training Value at KSGS.
Pattern Altitude partners with Both Wings at South St. Paul Airport (Fleming Field - KSGS) to deliver premier 1-on-1 flight instruction, $150 discovery flights, pilot ratings, and affordable time building. Fly in our rental Van's RV-12iS, Pattern Altitude's Cessna 150, or your own plane—unbeatable aviation value across the Twin Cities.
Introductory Discovery Flight
You Take the Controls
Ever wondered what it feels like to fly? Take the controls of a real airplane over the Twin Cities. With an FAA certified flight instructor by your side, you'll learn the fundamentals, depart from Fleming Field (KSGS), and pilot the aircraft yourself.
30 Min Pre-Flight
Walk around the aircraft, inspect key flight surfaces, and learn how the flight controls and cockpit instruments operate.
45 Min Hands-On Flight
Take off from Fleming Field (KSGS), soar over the Mississippi River, and you fly the plane under direct instructor guidance.
Pilot Logbook Entry
Receive your first official pilot logbook entry (0.8 hrs dual flight instruction) that counts toward your FAA pilot certificate.
Pattern Altitude + Both Wings:
The Best Training Value in the Twin Cities
We are based at South St. Paul Municipal Airport (Fleming Field - KSGS) and available throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. We've partnered with Both Wings at SGS to give you rental access to their modern Van's RV-12iS, alongside Pattern Altitude's own Cessna 150, or personalized instruction in your own aircraft.
Both Wings Rental • KSGS
Van's RV-12iS
Partnered with Both Wings at KSGS. Equipped with dual Garmin G3X touchscreens, synthetic vision, and fuel-injected Rotax reliability. Exceptional visibility and modern glass-cockpit ergonomics starting at just $132/hr.
- Dual Garmin glass cockpit flight deck
- Ultra-efficient fuel burn keeps rental costs low
- Ideal for Sport, Private, & affordable time building
Owned by Pattern Altitude
Cessna 150
Owned directly by Pattern Altitude and based at Fleming Field (KSGS). The legendary two-seat trainer that has taught more pilots to fly than almost any other airplane. Pure stick-and-rudder feel with unbeatable economy starting at $120/hr.
- Legendary training safety & forgiving flight dynamics
- Economical hourly rate stretches your training budget
- Perfect for primary students & cheap PIC hour building
Your Aircraft Welcome
Your Own Aircraft
Already own an airplane or looking for transition training? We provide tailored 1-on-1 flight and ground instruction directly in your cockpit at $75/hr. Master your specific avionics, autopilot, and aircraft performance profiles with experienced flight instructors.
- Flight & ground instruction: $75/hr (no aircraft rental fee)
- Insurance checkouts & advanced avionics transitions
- BFRs, IPCs, Instrument, & Commercial in your plane
- Fly at KSGS, throughout the Twin Cities, or travel nationwide
Affordable Pilot Time Building at KSGS
Need 50, 100, or 250+ flight hours toward your Commercial Pilot Certificate, CFI, or ATP? Pattern Altitude + Both Wings offers the most cost-effective time-building platform in the Twin Cities metro.
Ultra-Low Hourly Cost
With rates starting at just $120/hr for the Cessna 150 and $132/hr for the RV-12iS, you log significantly more flight time per dollar spent than in expensive $220+/hr corporate trainers.
Fleming Field Efficiency
At KSGS (South St. Paul), you start the engine, taxi quickly, and get straight into the sky. No long taxi waits or congested holds eating your engine tach time.
Cross-Country Flying
Fly across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Midwest. Build essential cross-country PIC hours, night flight time, and real-world aeronautical decision-making experience.
Safety Pilot & CFI Guidance
Pair up with safety pilots for simulated instrument hood hours, or fly with our CFIs when you want to sharpen precision maneuvers and checkride standards.
A Boutique Training Program,
Not a Pilot Factory
Traditional flight schools keep you on slow, fragmented schedules that drag out training over months or years. We treat flight instruction as an immersive experience, matching you with a dedicated instructor focused solely on your progress.
1-on-1 Immersive Mentorship
You are not a number in a queue. You get a premium, fully customized learning environment. Your instructor is by your side at every step, adapting in real time to your pace and learning style.
Efficient, Consistent Progress
Consistent flight blocks build muscle memory and sharp cognitive retention. We tailor lesson frequency to fit your personal schedule, helping you build real confidence and achieve your pilot goals without prolonged gaps.
Based at KSGS • Twin Cities & Travel
Centrally located at Fleming Field (KSGS) in South St. Paul, we are easily accessible from Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding suburbs. Travel instruction to your local airport or hangar is also available upon request.
Fly Our Fleet or Bring Your Own Plane
Choose between Both Wings' modern Van's RV-12iS light sport rental, Pattern Altitude's Cessna 150, or your personally owned aircraft (Cirrus, Bonanza, Cessna, and more). We provide the most flexible and highest value training environment in the Twin Cities.
Start Your Flight PlanCertifications & Pilot Ratings
We structure our training programs specifically for high-efficiency instruction, moving you seamlessly from ground theory to flight proficiency at Fleming Field (KSGS).
Sport Pilot
Perfect for recreational flyers looking to fly light-sport aircraft like the RV-12iS without needing a standard FAA medical certificate.
- Minimum 20 Flight Hours Required
- Fly in our Both Wings RV-12iS light sport rental
- No FAA Medical needed (Driver's License only)
Private Pilot (PPL)
The foundational certificate allowing you to fly single-engine aircraft for business or pleasure, day or night, carrying passengers.
- Minimum 40 Flight Hours Required
- Fly anywhere in Visual Conditions (VFR)
- Flexible pacing tailored to your personal schedule
Instrument Rating (IR)
Unlock the full capability of your license. Learn to navigate inside clouds and low visibility utilizing advanced flight decks.
- Fly safely in diverse meteorological conditions
- Master precision IFR approach procedures
- Integrate seamlessly into the national IFR system
Commercial Pilot
Take the leap into professional aviation. Master precision maneuvers, complex aircraft systems, and fly for hire or compensation.
- Master precision commercial flight maneuvers
- Minimum 250 Flight Hours Required
- Commercial maneuvers & aeronautical decision making
Programs & Flight Packages
Pattern Altitude + Both Wings offers the best training and time-building value in the Twin Cities. Flight and ground instruction is $75/hr. Fly our rental Both Wings RV-12iS (starting at $132/hr), Pattern Altitude's Cessna 150 (starting at $120/hr), or train directly in your own aircraft at Fleming Field (KSGS).
Introductory Discovery Flight
$150 Flat All-Inclusive RateWhat You Get:
- 30 Minutes Ground Pre-Flight: Aircraft walkaround, flight controls overview, and safety briefing
- 45 Minutes Hands-On Flight: Take off from Fleming Field (KSGS) and YOU pilot the aircraft under CFI supervision
- Official Pilot Logbook Entry: 0.8 hours dual flight instruction logged toward your pilot license
- Aircraft rental, fuel, and FAA Certified Flight Instructor all included
Prerequisites & Information:
- No prior aviation experience required!
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- Great gift experience or the first official step to earning your pilot wings
- Departs from South St. Paul Municipal Airport (Fleming Field - KSGS)
Sport Pilot Certificate
Flexible Pacing • Tailored to Your ScheduleWhat You Get:
- Dedicated 1-on-1 FAA Certified Flight Instructor ground & flight mentorship
- Structured ground tutoring & checkride endorsement preparation
- Realistic FAA-style mock oral exam prep & pre-checkride flight reviews
- FAA Designated Pilot Examiner checkride coordination
Required Prerequisites:
- FAA Student Pilot Certificate (easy application assistance provided)
- Valid US Driver's License (serves as FAA medical self-certification)
- Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Minimum age of 16 to solo, 17 for practical checkride
Private Pilot (PPL) Program
Comprehensive Syllabus • Flexible PacingWhat You Get:
- Dedicated 1-on-1 flight and ground instruction tailored to your learning pace
- Comprehensive VFR cross-country navigation, night operations, and solo preparation
- FAA-standards pre-checkride mock oral exam and flight evaluations
- FAA Designated Examiner booking support and checkride endorsements
Required Prerequisites:
- FAA Student Pilot Certificate (assistance provided)
- FAA Third Class Medical Certificate (or BasicMed) or better
- FAA Private Pilot Written Knowledge Exam (guided preparation available)
- Minimum age of 17 to complete the FAA VFR practical exam
Instrument Rating (IR) Program
Precision IFR & All-Weather ProficiencyWhat You Get:
- Exclusively assigned 1-on-1 instrument flight and ground instruction
- Immersive actual or simulated instrument flying & Garmin glass cockpit procedures
- Advanced IFR approach procedures, emergency systems tracking, and holding patterns
- Designated Examiner coordination & checkride endorsement recommendation
Required Prerequisites:
- FAA Private Pilot License
- FAA Instrument Written Knowledge Exam passed
- FAA Medical (Class 3, BasicMed, or higher)
- Cross-country Pilot-in-Command (PIC) hours logged per FAA Part 61 requirements
Commercial Pilot (CPL) Program
Professional Mastery & Commercial StandardsWhat You Get:
- Exclusively assigned flight & ground precision commercial maneuver instruction
- Mastery of FAA steep spirals, chandelles, lazy eights, and power-off accuracy landings
- Commercial pilot privileges, commercial regulations, and professional aeronautical decision-making
- FAA practical checkride mock oral exam prep & pre-checkride flight reviews
Required Prerequisites:
- FAA Private Pilot License with Instrument Rating
- FAA Commercial Written Knowledge Exam passed
- FAA Medical Certificate (Class 2 or 1 recommended for commercial operations)
- Minimum of 240 hours total flight time logged toward the 250-hour FAA practical requirement
Pilot Time Building at KSGS
Affordable Wet Hourly Rates • PIC & Cross-CountryWhat You Get:
- Access to Both Wings RV-12iS (starting at $132/hr) and Pattern Altitude Cessna 150 (starting at $120/hr) at Fleming Field (KSGS)
- Fleming Field (KSGS) efficiency: Minimal taxi delays so your rental dollars buy real flight time
- Midwest cross-country flying, night flight hours, and safety pilot hood sharing
- On-demand CFI checkout and refresher coaching available whenever needed
Requirements:
- FAA Private Pilot License or Sport Pilot Certificate
- Standard checkout flight with our flight instructor
- Valid FAA Medical (Class 3 or BasicMed) or Driver's License for Sport
- Standard renters insurance non-owned aircraft policy
Available Throughout the Twin Cities & Travel Instruction: We operate primarily out of Fleming Field (KSGS) in South St. Paul, MN, but our flight instructors also provide personalized instruction at your home strip or airport across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro, and travel nationwide for dedicated training blocks.
Specialty Pilot Services
We provide precision support for general aviation owners, including aircraft logistics, legally-mandated currency reviews, and recurrent checkrides.
Aircraft Ferry Services
Acquired a new aircraft or need your plane repositioned for annual maintenance? Our commercial-rated pilots offer safe, insured, and nationwide aircraft ferry services with detailed flight tracking and updates.
Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)
If you've fallen out of instrument currency, we'll design a comprehensive ground and flight session to refresh your procedures, check system limits, and sign off your FAA IPC rapidly.
Biannual Flight Reviews (BFR)
Fulfill your FAA part 61.56 requirement with an engaging, localized flight and ground review. We evaluate regulations, maneuvers, and local airport hazards to keep you safe and legal.
File Your Flight Plan
Our aviation training is boutique. We restrict student enrollment each quarter to guarantee that those who join receive immediate access to dedicated instructors and customized training blocks.
Get a callback or email directly from a lead flight instructor within 24 hours.
We review your scheduling parameters to design a dedicated training calendar.
Based at Fleming Field (KSGS):
Conveniently based at South St. Paul Municipal Airport (KSGS), serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the entire Twin Cities metro area. Travel instruction available upon request.