Taking off from the Dajabon 5,700-foot grass airstrip (MDDJ) - one of the many tropical flying thrills you will experience.

SkyHoppers Caribbean Flight Training Overview SkyHoppers specializes in providing scenic flight training 'excursions' in-and-around the Dominican Republic (the DR) for pilots seeking a flight experience in a tropical setting while simultaneously enjoying vacation time with their family and friends. SkyHoppers Aerial Excursions provides a taste of tropical flying by venturing into unique, mostly uninhabited coastal, mountainous, and desert areas of the DR, while you receive flight training in our Cessna 180 and decision-making insights along the way. The chief pilot will also be your personal tour guide as you enjoy the sights while aloft, and during stops at various locales and urban centers during the all-day excursions. SkyHoppers has prepared a web page with various links to the NOAA aviation digital data service for our students to obtain a Caribbean weather briefing, including imagery and charts! SkyHoppers flight training excursions are ideal for busy professionals who may be Certificated Pilots wishing to expand their pilot credentials with a high-performance-tailwheel endorsement or conveniently renew their pilot proficiency in a timely manner while enjoying a Caribbean vacation. Our excursions also appeal to those considering the purchase of a tailwheel or high-performance airplane of their own, or who are simply seeking an 'extreme' Caribbean vacation adventure. Finally, SkyHoppers welcomes people with no prior flying experience to become a Student Pilot with us, and have FUN while exploring the world of flight on our aerial excursions before enrolling in training for the Private Pilot Certificate.

SkyHoppers offers two flight training programs, one for expanding the proficiency and expertise of certificated pilots of any nationality, and another for introducing U.S. citizens to Private Pilot training. Outlined below, these programs emphasize high-performance-tailwheel operations in various maneuvers, as well as aeronautical decision making in a foreign setting. All our trainees will receive additional training in Garmin GPS navigation, foreign ATC communications, tropical weather interpretation, flight over mountainous terrain and ocean waters, and insight into Search and Rescue operations. All training completed with SkyHoppers is valid towards earning either your Tailwheel and/or High-Performance endorsements, or toward completing your Biennial Flight Review, and will be recorded in pilot's logbooks accordingly. If you desire any other flight training than that presented here, please contact the SkyHoppers Chief Pilot about your training needs.

Caribbean Flight Training for Certified Pilots

SkyHoppers offers a unique course of instruction during our aerial excursions for those who already hold a pilot certificate from any country. For those pilots interested in tailwheel and high-performance transition training, we will begin with instruction in high-performance power-plant operation, tailwheel airplane handling, and basic tailwheel maneuvers including taxi, takeoffs, and 3-point landings. As you progress, we will review and practice advanced crosswind techniques, and introduce you to 'wheel landings' on both pavement and grass strips. After you demonstrate proficiency in tailwheel flying, we can then introduce you to the short-field capabilities of the Cessna 180 and the related techniques. Most pilots typically earn their High-Performance endorsements after 5 hours, and the tailwheel endorsement after about 30 to 50 landings in the Skywagon, depending on pilot aptitude and past training and experience. To make the most of this training, SkyHoppers recommends joining us for our 'Getaway' Adventure which includes 14 hours of flight time in the Skywagon providing for maximum reinforcement during your tailwheel training.

If you are already endorsed as a tailwheel pilot and are interested in logging High-Performance time in our Cessna 180 for fun or future ownership purposes, SkyHoppers invites you to come and improve your proficiency in all maneuvers applicable to the certificate you hold. SkyHoppers will assess your skills according to the practical test standards for your certificate, and introduce you to any new maneuvers you might be interested in. We will also provide advanced training in short and power-off approaches to 3-point and wheel landings in our Skywagon. Upon completion of your vacation, tailwheel pilots may earn their Biennial Flight Review and/or High-Performance endorsements. SkyHoppers recommends joining us for our 'Lost-in-Paradise' Adventure which includes 18 hours of flight time in our Cessna 180 and is ideal for 2 pilots sharing the cost of an Adventure, while allowing you to sample all of our aerial excursions and see all the island has to offer.

Caribbean Flight Training for Student Pilots

SkyHoppers welcomes U.S. Citizens age 16 and older with no prior flying experience to become a Student-Pilot with us, and have FUN while exploring the world of flight on our aerial excursions before deciding to invest in additional training for the Private Pilot Certificate or pursue a career in aviation. As a student-pilot enjoying one of our flight training Adventures, you will be introduced to general aeronautical knowledge including concepts of airspace, air traffic control, weather interpretation, radio navigation, visual flight rules, flight planning, and how to read and use aviation charts. In addition, you will receive hands on training in basic private pilot maneuvers including taxi, takeoff, slow flight, ground reference maneuvers, and of course, landings. You will also learn how to perform basic radio communications, make a preflight inspection, refuel the airplane, as well as learn some basic common sense skills regarding airplanes. SkyHoppers recommends our 'Whirlwind' Adventure which includes 10 hours of hands-on flight time for student-pilots wishing to explore the world of flight.

Before you arrive in the DR to join us on our flight training excursions, SkyHoppers will direct you to a physician in your home state to obtain an FAA medical certificate which also serves as your Student-Pilot Certificate. SkyHoppers will also recommend some reading material to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of flying before you arrive for training. Additional ground instruction in aeronautical knowledge and flight maneuvers will also be given during the actual flight training in the DR. No other pilot supplies are necessary, however if you wish to purchase your own airplane headphones and complete training materials (including textbooks, manuals, a logbook, flight planning tools, and a flight bag) SkyHoppers recommends Bose noise-canceling headsets and the Jeppesen 'Part 61' Private Pilot training kit.

After your flight training vacation is over, Skyhoppers will make every effort to coordinate continued training for you at your local airport upon your return to the U.S.