NOW TRAINING AT MERRITT ISLAND AIRPORT (KCOI) · SPACE COAST, FL Call/Text (603) 553-9690
Merritt Island Airport · KCOI · Space Coast, FL

Learn to fly at Merritt Island.

Personal, one-on-one flight instruction with William Knapp — built around your goals, your pace, and your schedule.

Independent FAA-certificated CFI Cessna 172 New & returning pilots welcome
View from the cockpit of a Cessna 172 over Florida's Space Coast at sunset
Independent CFI
One-on-one training at Merritt Island. Not a flight school — a single instructor focused on you.
DEPARTURES · KCOI LIVE
TrainingStatus
TAP A ROUTE TO REQUEST IT — NO COMMITMENT.
Start where you are

One instructor for every stage of the journey.

Whether you're brand-new to aviation or getting back into the cockpit, William can help you take the next practical step.

Brand-new to flying

No experience needed

Never touched the controls? Start with a low-pressure discovery flight and a clear first step.

Private pilot license

First lesson to checkride

Build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to earn your PPL — one instructor, start to checkride.

Flight review & rusty pilots

Back in the left seat

Lapsed currency, or just need a flight review? Get back in the left seat at your own pace.

Checkride prep

Walk in ready

Sharpen weak areas, maneuvers, and oral knowledge so you walk into the test ready.

Commercial & advanced skills

Single-engine standards

Working toward the next rating? Refine maneuvers and precision to commercial single-engine standards.

Ground & oral exam prep

Written · oral · review

Focused ground instruction for written prep, oral review, weather, and regulations.

Personal instruction

Direct access, without the big-school pressure.

You get one instructor, consistent guidance, and a plan built around your goals.

One instructor, one plan

Work directly with William every lesson — no rotating instructors, no handoffs.

Clear next steps

You always know what you did, what's next, and how to get there.

Flexible, local training

Scheduling that works around real life, based right at Merritt Island.

Built for confidence

Lessons focused on safety, fundamentals, and steady decision-making.

Getting started is simple

Three steps to your first lesson.

No applications, no commitment. Just a clear path from "curious" to "in the air."

STEP 01

Tell William your goal

Send a quick note — a discovery flight, getting current, or just curious where to begin.

STEP 02

Get a simple training plan

You'll get a clear, no-pressure plan for your next step and how scheduling works.

STEP 03

Schedule your first lesson

Book a discovery flight, a ground session, or a focused training block.

The easiest way to start

Start with a discovery flight.

A discovery flight is a real introductory lesson. You'll actually fly the Cessna 172 — hands on the controls — with William beside you the whole time. No experience, no pressure. You decide if you want to continue.

  • Meet your instructor and talk through your goals
  • Fly the airplane yourself — really fly it
  • Review the aircraft and safety basics
  • Leave with a clear next step — or don't. No pressure.
Book a discovery flight
William Knapp, CFI, standing in front of a Cessna 172 at Merritt Island Airport at sunset
William Knapp, CFI · Merritt Island (KCOI)
Meet your instructor

William Knapp, CFI

William is an independent Certified Flight Instructor at Merritt Island Airport. He works one-on-one with students who want a more personal training experience.

Whether you're taking your first lesson, returning after time away, or preparing for a checkride, his goal is to keep the path clear, practical, and approachable — with the same FAA standards you'd expect anywhere.

1:1
Instruction
C172
Single-engine
KCOI
Home field
Where you'll train

On Florida's Space Coast.

Merritt Island Airport (KCOI) sits between the Banana and Indian Rivers — minutes from Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, and Kennedy Space Center.

MERRITT ISLAND AIRPORT (KCOI) · 28.34°N, 80.69°W
EXACT MEETING DETAILS ARE PROVIDED AFTER SCHEDULING.
In their words

Students who started here.

★★★★★
"I'd never touched the controls before. William made the whole thing feel calm and doable. I booked my next lesson before we landed."
Jon C. · Discovery flight · Palm Bay
★★★★★
"Coming back after years away, I wanted one instructor who actually knew where I was. That's exactly what I got."
Richard C. · Flight review · Orlando
★★★★★
"Clear plan every lesson, no big-school runaround. I knew what we were doing and why, the whole way to my checkride."
Chris C. · Private pilot · Orlando
Request a lesson

Book a lesson or discovery flight.

Send a quick note and William will follow up to help you figure out the right next step. Usually a reply within one business day. No obligation.

Prefer to talk right now?
WILLIAM FOLLOWS UP PERSONALLY — USUALLY WITHIN A BUSINESS DAY.

Request sent.

Thanks — William will reach out personally, usually within one business day. If it's urgent, call or text (603) 553-9690.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions.

Not in the big-school sense. William is an independent Certified Flight Instructor who works one-on-one with students at Merritt Island. You train directly with him — not a rotating cast of instructors.

None at all. Most people start with a discovery flight, where you'll fly the airplane with William beside you and decide whether you'd like to continue.

Yes — it's the easiest way to start. Send a request or call, and William will get you scheduled.

Yes. He works with students from their first lesson all the way through their private pilot checkride.

Not at this time. Instruction is focused on single-engine training in a Cessna 172 — discovery flights, private pilot, flight reviews, and related work. William is happy to point you in the right direction for an instrument rating.

No — training is single-engine only, in a Cessna 172. If you need multi-engine time, he can suggest where to look.

Absolutely. Whether you're current and due for a review or getting back after time away, he'll build a plan around where you actually are.

Often, yes. Reach out with where you are in your training and what you're looking for, and he'll let you know how he can help.

At Merritt Island Airport (KCOI), on Florida's Space Coast. Exact meeting details are provided once you schedule.

It depends on the aircraft, your pace, and your goals. Reach out and William will walk you through it — including discovery flight pricing — with no pressure.

Ready when you are

Ready to take the first step?

Whether you're ready for a discovery flight or just want to understand the path to becoming a pilot, reach out and William will help you figure out the next step.

Call William Text