Master the Essentials for Operating on Snow and Ice

Trusted by 30,000+ Pilots Worldwide

The Complete Online Course for Airplane Ski Flying

A safer, smarter way to transition to winter operations. Skip the guesswork with 7 comprehensive sections covering everything from frozen lakes to glacier landings, filmed directly on location in the Alaskan backcountry.

Trusted by 12,000+ Pilots Worldwide

Becoming a Private Pilot Made Smarter and Easier.

Our proven training method to help you become a certified pilot fast and efficiently.

What You'll Get:

✅ 7 comprehensive sections broken down into easy-to-digest lessons — from basic snow and ice operations to advanced winter landing techniques.

✅ Step-by-step mastery of real-world backcountry flying including highly visual, video and picture-based tutorials that show you exactly what to expect on the snow.

✅ Comprehensive ground preparation for diverse winter environments — master the unique challenges of operating off airports, remote backcountry strips, frozen lakes, and glaciers.

✅ Safety-focused training designed to protect your aircraft featuring essential knowledge to help you build a solid foundation, navigate winter hazards, and avoid costly mistakes before your flight training.

✅ In-depth visual context filmed directly on location in Alaska giving you a massive head start on visualizing operations so you save significant time and money once you get in the plane with a CFI.

Why FLY8MA Works

Study at Your Own Pace: Learn on your schedule. Our self-paced courses are perfect for both accelerated learners and part-time students.
Show Up Prepared: Step into the cockpit with confidence. By starting your training on the ground, you can save an average of 20 hours of flight time while feeling fully prepared.
Know What to Expect: Gain access to mock check-ride videos, real cockpit footage, and learn the toughest FAA questions—so you can focus on what really matters for your exam.

Master Ski Flying Basics Without Burning Through Expensive Flight Hours

While most pilots are eager to slide onto the snow and experience the ultimate winter freedom, the reality is that showing up to a ski-equipped airplane underprepared is highly risky. Operating on snow and ice without proper ground preparation is a fast track to bending your airplane, stretching out your training timeline, and racking up unnecessary instructor expenses.

Ski flying introduces an entirely new set of environmental variables. Trying to figure out mechanical differences, surface conditions, and survival considerations for the first time while paying high hourly rates for an aircraft and a specialized instructor is the most stressful and expensive way to learn.

We created this online ground school so you can show up to your flight training already visualizing the "how" and "why". By mastering the foundational mechanics, glacier techniques, and backcountry surface checks on the ground first, you save significant time and money during in-aircraft training—keeping both your wallet and your airplane perfectly intact.

Meet your Instructor

Jonathan Kotwicki

Jon is a CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, AGI, A&P, and the rest of the alphabet. After working his way up to becoming an airline pilot, he made the decision to turn back to flight instructing as a way to give back to the aviation community.

Over the years, Jon has led flight schools from Florida to Alaska, dedicating countless hours to developing training programs and mentoring the next generation of pilots.

What Our Students Have Said:

"From Zero to Hero"

"Fly8ma took me from Zero to Hero, I came in with absolutely no aviation knowledge and in a few weeks I finished Private Pilot ground school and started flying. The lessons are perfect. You go over each lesson topic, then watch entertaining but information packed videos that explain exactly what you just learned. Jon and the other CFIs are always there to answer all the questions I’ve had with quick responses. I’m excited to use Fly8ma for all my future ratings.."

- Kai A.

"He's a Great Teacher!"

"I never have personally meet Jon but I’d love to some day!

His YouTube videos are amazing. When I was doing my ground School and came up against something I didn’t understand I’d always go to fly8ma.com and watch a video about it. Then I’d understand!

Hes a great teacher!

Thanks Jon!"

- Blake M.

"The Best Online Courses I Have Taken"

"The private pilot ground school course is one of the best online courses I have taken.

The information is timely and Jon has a very presentation style to keep you motivated and interested to continue learning.

I highly recommend this course."

- Scott A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get instant access to the course?

Yes! As soon as your purchase is complete, you will receive immediate access to all 7 sections of the online ski flying ground school so you can start studying right away.

Is this a one-time purchase or a membership?

This is a single course purchase. You pay a one-time fee of $99 to unlock lifetime access to the Ski Flying Course material, updates, and visual lessons.

Is there any legally required training to fly an aircraft on skis?

No, there is not any additional legally required training or endorsements to fly your aircraft on skis. However, studying the material on the ground and receiving qualified flight instruction is highly recommended to prevent bending your airplane or worse.

Does this course replace actual flight training?

No. While no video or book can replace quality in-aircraft instruction, this ground course gives you the solid foundation and mental preparation you need before your flight training to save you time and money.

What if I need help or have questions?

You won't have to figure it out alone. You can easily ask questions or connect with the community inside the platform, ensuring you get the clarification you need to feel confident before you ever taxi onto the snow.

Still Have Questions? Call or Text Us

907-268-3100