Blue Sky Academy began its journey at Kladno Airport in the Czech Republic as part of the Cessna Pilot Center network, focusing from day one on high-quality pilot training. Offering courses for both aspiring airline pilots and private wannabe pilots pursuing a hobby, the academy has built a reputation for safety, modern equipment, and student-centered instruction. Students train on excellently-maintained Cessna aircraft equipped with advanced avionics, complemented by online theory courses accessible worldwide. The addition of an Airbus A320 FNPT II MCC simulator, fully EASA-compliant, cemented Blue Sky’s status as one of Central Europe’s most respected flight training providers.
Two years ago, Blue Sky Academy expanded into Georgia, setting up home at Natakhtari Airport just outside Tbilisi—a move that has proven both strategic and practical. The new branch quickly began to grow under the guidance of General Manager Artem Kuzmenko, Deputy Head of Training and Flight Instructor Georgii Neverov, and Theory Instructor Artem Timoshin. Together, they’ve shaped the academy into a place where students receive not only technical instruction, but genuine mentorship and inspiration along their path to becoming pilots.
“In Prague, winter weather isn’t perfect—low visibility, low clouds,” Georgii explains. “Georgia, in comparison, has perfect weather, easy visa access, and a beautiful landscape. Honestly, I have the best view from my office.”
Opening the academy was straightforward thanks to supportive authorities, and while infrastructure challenges exist—as they do everywhere—the environment has proven ideal for both flying and learning. Currently, the academy operates two Cessna 150 two-seaters for student and instructor flights, and, by the end of the year, a four-seater Cessna 172 will join the fleet. “The 172 allows students to accompany flights as observers, which some airlines require for potential pilots,” Giorgii explains.
Who are the Blue Sky students?
Many of Blue Sky’s students are adults pursuing a lifelong dream. “The majority of our students are over 30,” Giorgii notes. “They always wanted to fly, but life got in the way. Some are starting as a hobby, some with a serious career goal.” Age is no barrier, though. Students as young as 18–19 join, alongside those in their fifties or older. One remarkable student started at 67 after a lifetime of dreaming; having worked as an engineer, he approached the plane with the precision and professionalism one might expect of a seasoned pilot. Another, a young prodigy, achieved her milestones quickly; at 20, she is already completing flight instructor training after starting at 17.
Alexander, a student at Blue Sky Academy Georgia, reflects: “Once your wheels leave the runway, all your problems are behind you. Flying is pure enjoyment. I’d never come back down if I could get away with it!”
The academy attracts locals, as well as international students from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and even the US. Blue Sky’s compliance with EASA regulations ensures that flight hours logged in Georgia count across Europe. “If a student flies 10–15 hours here, they can continue in Prague seamlessly for that ‘heavier traffic’ experience. No extra paperwork,” Giorgii explains. Weekend lessons allow students with full-time jobs to keep progressing toward their licenses, while Tbilisi’s relatively affordable rent allows aspiring pilots to live comfortably for the duration of their training.
Learning to Fly: Discipline, Confidence, and Fun
Blue Sky’s training philosophy emphasizes safety, skill, and experience. Students start flying visually, learning to navigate with minimal traffic, before gradually incorporating advanced maneuvers and instrument training. Georgia’s open airspace and varied landscapes provide the perfect environment for developing confidence before tackling busier European skies. “It’s like learning to drive in an empty lot before moving into heavy traffic,” Giorgii notes.
Their first solo is done in perfect conditions, close to the airport, giving the student a huge confidence boost before working on more advanced training: complex maneuvers, longer routes, and eventually solo cross-country flights, such as the classic triangular route from one airport to another and back.
“A student may come to us with zero experience, and after just 15–17 hours of practice, you find yourself on the ground with a radio in hand, watching them take their first solo flight—a moment that’s both nerve-wracking and deeply proud,” Giorgii says. “Because they don’t yet have a license, the law would normally require a qualified pilot beside them, but an instructor can instead endorse the student to fly under their own license, placing real responsibility on both sides.”
“Each decision to send a student solo is a delicate balance—the instructor must judge when eagerness is masking unreadiness, or when fear simply needs a gentle push—and in that balance lies one of the most rewarding parts of teaching someone to fly,” he adds.
Simulators also play a big role in preparing students for real-world flying. While the Prague base has a fixed-wing simulator and the Georgia branch currently offers a helicopter simulator, many students arrive with hundreds of hours spent on home simulators. Alexander is one of them. “There’s a global online community where you can fly alongside experienced pilots and learn the language of aviation before ever stepping into a real cockpit. It takes away a lot of the fear of that first takeoff. I’ve logged more than 800 hours on my simulator, and it made a real difference,” he says.
For students without prior experience, Blue Sky offers Aviation English Courses that strengthen speaking, listening, reading, and phraseology skills, ensuring pilots and air traffic controllers meet ICAO standards and communicate safely in international airspace.
Aviation as a Career Path
Since opening in Georgia, Blue Sky Academy has grown from having a single student to training over 80. They usually start with the Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) for airplanes or PPL(H) for helicopters—achieved after a minimum of 45 hours of hands-on flying. Theory lessons are flexible, available online or in person. As confidence and experience grows, so do the add-on options: A Night Rating to experience flying after dark, or advanced courses like IR(A) and CB-IR(A) for instrument flying.
For anyone aiming at a professional cockpit, Blue Sky lays out a clear path. The ATPL(A) Theory Course gives future airline pilots the knowledge foundation they need, the CPL(A) opens the door to commercial flying, and the FI(A) lets students build hours by becoming instructors themselves. Throughout, the focus on safety and quality is constant, backed by Blue Sky’s own fleet and more than ten years of pilot training experience.
Technically, Giorgii explains, students could move straight from getting their license to flying for an airline, but “it’s always better to build confidence in smaller aircraft first.” We are told that in the US and former Soviet Union, pilots traditionally progressed gradually—starting small, flying regional routes, then moving to larger planes and longer distances. In Europe, licensed students complete a huge amount of ATPL theory and can legally begin flying commercial aircraft soon after. “That’s why you sometimes see very young pilots in commercial cockpits. Of course, they’re never leading a flight without the proper hours, internal screening, and guidance,” Giorgii notes.
Courses at Blue Sky include full theory programs alongside flying. Prices in 2025 range from approximately 3,120 GEL (1,160 USD) for PPL and BIR courses, up to 7,640 GEL (2,845 USD) for the ATPL Theory course. While costs vary depending on a student’s goals and experience, the academy emphasizes quality over shortcuts, ensuring students progress safely and effectively.
Students can also rent aircraft at Blue Sky once licensed, supporting observation flights, sightseeing, aerial photography, and longer trips. The academy also offers an Aircraft Purchase Service, guiding clients through market research, inspections, documentation, and legal checks in Europe or the USA.
Whether flying for fun, earning a commercial license, or aiming for the cockpit of a major airline, Blue Sky Academy Georgia combines expert guidance, modern aircraft, and a supportive learning environment to make it happen.
Looking Ahead to the Rotorcraft Sector
Helicopters are poised to become a major part of Georgia’s aviation future—and Blue Sky Academy is ready to lead. “Until now, most helicopter pilots come through military or air force pathways, and structured civil helicopter training has been scarce,” Giorgii notes.
The academy has secured EASA-compliant validation for the Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter and also offer a validated program for the Eurocopter EC120, meaning students can soon complete full PPL(H) training in Georgia. “Helicopters will be a big business in Georgia,” Artem predicts, while Giorgii adds: “Beautiful Georgia is true helicopter country!”
Training in Georgia: A Unique Opportunity
Georgia offers favorable weather, minimal air traffic, challenging yet safe terrain, and affordable living. Students can stay in Tbilisi, just 40 minutes from the academy, enjoy incredible landscapes, and study in a supportive, world-class environment.
On comparing Georgia with other countries, Giorgii says: “From my experience flying in the US, EU, and Cyprus, I expected a big adjustment coming to Georgia, but the transition was surprisingly smooth. Air Traffic Control speak perfect English, so in that sense, it feels just like Europe. The main difference is procedural: here, you need to file flight plans and stick to schedules, reporting delays—whereas in much of Europe, you just arrive at the airport, brief ATC, and go. It’s a bit of a Soviet-era approach, but Georgia is gradually moving toward a no flight-plan system. I’ve been flying here for two years and haven’t had any issues at all.”
Indeed, Georgia is slowly evolving into an aviation hub, with new airfields in the offing near the Black Sea. “Right now, flights often go through Tbilisi for customs and border control,” Giorgii explains. “New airfields will make general aviation smoother and position Georgia as a regional hub.”
In terms of flying experience, Georgia offers shifting crosswinds, gusty mountain winds, dramatic terrain, and even the occasional eagle sharing your airspace—building resilience, awareness, and skill.
“If you learn to fly in Georgia, you can fly anywhere,” Alexander says with a grin. “It’s like driving—if you can handle the roads here, the rest of the world feels easy.”
On flying itself, he adds: “Up there, you don’t just admire the scenery—beautiful as it is. Flying a single-engine aircraft means staying sharp. You’re always thinking ahead, scanning for safe landing spots, planning for the unexpected. Some stretches, like approaching Kutaisi over that seemingly endless forest, give you nowhere to put the aircraft down. You learn to trust your training, read your instruments, and stay calm.”
Learning to fly in Georgia is demanding, but that’s clearly what makes it transformative. It doesn’t just teach you to be a pilot—it teaches you to be a capable one.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Blue Sky Academy isn’t just about producing pilots—it’s about building a community. From young students to lifelong dreamers, local and international trainees, the academy grows passion, discipline, and confidence. “Meeting so many people single-mindedly chasing a pilot’s license is incredibly rewarding,” says Giorgii. “You guide them from their first flight to that moment when they can take the controls alone. That’s when you know you’ve made a difference.”
By Katie Ruth Davies
