Effective Date: 1/1/2026

Business: Great Circle LLC DBA Birch Creek Aviation (“Birch Creek,” “we,” “us,” “our”)
Address: 2331 Merrill Field Dr., Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
Program: Alaska Pilot Experience (“Experience”)

By applying for, booking, or participating in the Alaska Pilot Experience, you (“Participant,” “you,” “your”) agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1) What You’re Booking

The Alaska Pilot Experience is a guided aviation experience/training trip built around your goals and availability. The Experience may include flight instruction, aircraft rental time, ground briefings, and related aviation activities as agreed in your booking plan.

The Experience does not guarantee any specific training milestone, endorsement, rating, solo, checkride readiness, or completion outcome.

2) Eligibility and Participant Responsibilities

You agree to provide accurate information, comply with all safety briefings and instructor directions, and conduct yourself in a safe and respectful manner.

Age Requirement: Participants must be 18 years of age or older to enroll in the Alaska Pilot Experience and to receive SMS communications. By submitting your information, you confirm that you meet this requirement.

We may refuse service or end participation if we believe you present a safety risk, fail to follow instructions, or behave in a manner that is unsafe, abusive, or disruptive. Refunds (if any) will be handled under Section 6.

3) Medical, Fitness, and Regulatory Compliance

You are responsible for determining your fitness to participate and for obtaining any required medical certificates or documentation necessary for your goals, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

If you are visiting from outside the U.S., you are responsible for any additional documentation or approvals required for your training or flight activities.

4) Scheduling, Weather, and Operational Reality

Weather, daylight, runway conditions, aircraft maintenance, instructor availability, and operational constraints may impact the schedule. Plans may be adjusted for safety or operational reasons.

You acknowledge that delays, changes, and interruptions can occur and are part of operating safely in Alaska.

5) Pricing, Inclusions, and Exclusions

Your pricing and inclusions will be confirmed in writing (invoice, booking confirmation, or plan summary). Unless expressly stated as included, airfare, transportation, meals, personal expenses, accommodation, testing/examiner fees, and medical fees are not included.

6) Deposits, Payments, Cancellation & Reschedule Policy

6.1 Deposit (Required to Reserve Dates)

A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your dates and resources for the Alaska Pilot Experience. The deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances, including cancellation, reschedule, weather interruptions, delays, early departure, or changes in personal circumstances.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, the deposit is applied toward your total Experience cost.

6.2 Remaining Balance

Any remaining balance is due according to the payment schedule shown on your invoice or booking confirmation. Failure to pay by the due date may result in loss of reserved dates and forfeiture of the deposit.

6.3 Participant Cancellation

If you cancel your Experience for any reason:

The $1,000 deposit is forfeited (non-refundable).

Any additional payments made beyond the deposit may be refundable depending on timing and non-recoverable costs already committed by Birch Creek (e.g., instructor scheduling, aircraft holds, accommodation commitments if arranged, admin time, merchant fees).

Cancellation Windows:

30+ days before start date: Deposit forfeited. Remaining payments refunded minus any non-recoverable costs.

14–29 days before start date: Deposit forfeited. Remaining payments refunded minus any non-recoverable costs; a reschedule may be offered (see 6.4).

0–13 days before start date: Deposit forfeited. Remaining payments may be non-refundable due to short-notice commitments unless we can rebook the time. Any refund is at our discretion minus non-recoverable costs.

6.4 Rescheduling

Rescheduling requests are subject to availability.

The $1,000 deposit remains non-refundable.

If you reschedule 30+ days before your start date, we will generally apply amounts paid (beyond the deposit) toward a new date, minus any non-recoverable costs.

If you reschedule within 29 days, additional fees or forfeitures may apply due to committed resources.

6.5 No-Shows / Late Arrivals / Early Departure

No-shows and missed sessions may be forfeited and are not refundable.

If you arrive late or depart early for any reason, unused time may be non-refundable.

6.6 Safety / Misconduct Termination

If participation is ended due to safety concerns, refusal to follow instructions, impairment, or misconduct:

The deposit remains forfeited.

Additional refunds (if any) are at our discretion and may exclude committed costs.

6.7 Refund Processing

If a refund is approved, it will be processed back to the original payment method within 10–14 business days, minus any non-recoverable costs and merchant processing fees where applicable.

7) Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge aviation involves inherent risks. You voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

8) Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Birch Creek is not liable for indirect or consequential damages. Any liability is limited to the amount you paid for the Experience giving rise to the claim, unless required otherwise by law.

9) Release and Waiver

Where permitted by law, you agree to release and hold harmless Birch Creek Aviation and its team from claims arising from participation, except to the extent caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.

10) Aircraft Damage and Responsibility

If damage occurs due to your negligence, unauthorized actions, or failure to follow instructor direction, you may be responsible for repair costs, downtime, insurance deductibles, and related expenses to the extent permitted by law and contract.

11) Media Release

You grant Birch Creek Aviation permission to capture and use photos/video for marketing unless you opt out in writing prior to your Experience.

Opt-out email: [email protected]

12) Privacy

We use your information to deliver services and communicate with you. For details, please review our policy: Privacy Policy

13) Force Majeure

We are not responsible for delays or inability to perform due to events beyond our control (including severe weather, natural disasters, fires, government actions, airport closures, aircraft grounding, or safety-related operational decisions).

14) Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Alaska. Venue for disputes will be Alaska, United States, unless required otherwise by law.

15) SMS Messaging Terms

Great Circle LLC DBA Birch Creek Aviation sends SMS messages to individuals who voluntarily submit their phone number through our website or booking forms to inquire about or participate in the Alaska Pilot Experience. Messages include application updates, scheduling coordination, booking confirmations, appointment reminders, operational notifications, and occasional promotional messages if the individual has opted in. Message frequency varies.

Cancellations & Opt-Out
You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text STOP to the number from which you received messages. After sending STOP, you will receive a confirmation SMS, and you will no longer receive messages from us. If you wish to rejoin, simply sign up again via the website or booking form.

Help & Support
If you experience issues with the messaging program, reply with HELP for assistance, or contact us directly at:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (907) 343-9886

Carrier Liability
Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Message Frequency & Cost
Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. For questions about your text or data plan, please contact your wireless provider.

Consent
All SMS messages are sent only to individuals who have provided express consent via our website or booking forms. Consent is not a condition of purchase.