FLYIT Academy, located at Grove Field Airport (1W1) in Camas, Washington, is a community‑centered flight school dedicated to turning aviation dreams into reality. Under the leadership of founder Rick Andersen, the academy has grown significantly over its four‑year history, not only in flight instruction but also in pioneering greener aviation practices Situated just three miles north of Camas on Hwy 500, the academy benefits from Grove Field’s ideal training airspace—proximity to Troutdale’s Class D airspace, Battle Ground VOR, Scappoose, and Portland International Airport makes it a perfect environment for student pilots ranging from Sport to Commercial licenses. At its heart, FLYIT offers a well‑rounded curriculum that includes Private Pilot, Light Sport, Instrument, Commercial, Tailwheel, Multi‑Engine, and Flight Instructor (CFI​/​II​/​MEI) training. The school also offers instrument proficiency checks (IPC), biannual flight reviews (BFR), and scenic​/​aerobatic flight tours—such as 30‑minute discovery flights, scenic tours over Portland and the Columbia Gorge, and adrenaline‑charged aerobatic experiences in their Super Decathlon. Ground school is a cornerstone of their educational model. The private pilot ground school runs for six weeks and includes topics like aerodynamics, flight instruments, navigation, weather, and emergency procedures. Students receive a full kit of materials with the option to retake the course free of charge and continue as needed . The instrument ground school extends over several weeks with structured evening sessions designed to prepare students for both written and practical IFR proficiency. FLYIT maintains a robust fleet of well‑maintained aircraft, including Cessna 172s, Cessna 150s, Piper J‑5, Citabria, Apache, and the fuel‑efficient Vans RV‑12iS certified light sport aircraft. The RV‑12’s FADEC system burns just 3.5 gph—only a third of a typical C172—and operates on unleaded fuel, underscoring the academy’s dedication to sustainability.

Home Airport(s)

Camas Grove (1W1)