Testimonials

Hi Loni,

I just wanted say thank you to American Flyers and yourself for the FIRC. The program was well executed, informative and in appropriate length. Additionally, I was pleased on how quickly I had received my temporary certificate from American Flyers. Lastly, I had submitted my paperwork for renewal back on July 20th and today (August 7th) I received my hard copy certificate in the mail from the FAA.

Much thanks to you and your school

Regards,
Brian Clouser

Hi Mike,

My son, Brian Whittingham is one of the students there. Just wanted you to know I spoke with him last night and he said he had learned more yesterday than he had EVER learned in a day of class before. Considering he is a senior aeronautical science major at Embry Riddle, I thought that was pretty high praise. Keep up the terrific job! Thanks for all your help and for encouraging him.

Best,

Nechia Whittingham

Last Thursday my Mom suffered an acute cardiac event while vacationing in Myrtle Beach , SC. I could not get a commercial flight into Myrtle Beach anytime on Friday, so I opted to fly myself. Most will agree that flying while under this type of stress is not recommended, but 24 years as a Paramedic tends to give you a good foundation to handle about any situation. Besides, she was not critically ill. I did my flight planning Thursday night and reviewed it again Friday morning when I decided to launch. I flew roughly 1000 miles (round trip), landed at uncontrolled fields, navigated around the PHL and DCA airspace plus all of the other restricted areas without incident. I returned home safely about two hours ago, and landed in some pretty stiff crosswinds.

I must thank your facility and Jim for giving me the education and experience to make this trip possible. My Mom was discharged yesterday and is doing well. I am just thankful for having undergone my training with your facility and Jim. I doubt that I would have had the confidence if I were trained locally. I am forever thankful. (and so is my Mom)

I now have an additional 11 hours of cross country PIC time to add to my experience. Hope to see you in the fall for IFR training.

I recently received my private pilot’s certificate from your FBO in Santa Monica, California. I feel compelled to convey how thrilled I was with my overall experience while achieving one of my lifelong goals. The administration and personnel at American Flyers fully embody the genuine spirit of flight: soaring above and beyond. From the aircraft mechanics to the chief pilot, a professional and positive demeanor was ever present. While safety always came first, the team at American Flyers created a fun and relaxed atmosphere that made every flight or ground lesson an enjoyable experience. Incredibly, even tests were a pleasant occurrence.

I would like to personally thank three outstanding individuals on director Jay Elder’s team, who contributed greatly to my success. Scott Gibb is a topnotch ground school instructor, who made his classes both enlightening and enjoyable. Travis Ring is not only a superior instructor, but also a tremendously ambitious pilot. He pushed me each and every day, while constantly reminding me about the joy of flight. Allie Ermel’s unmistakable organizational skills and dynamic attitude kept the front office running smoothly. It is my distinct honor and pleasure to recommend American Flyers to anyone who dreams of taking to the skies. My experience remains one of the true highlights of my life.

Thank you, American Flyers!

Dear American Flyers,

A long time ago when I achieved my Private Pilot Certificate, the examiner congratulated me and said, “Now you have a certificate to learn and gain experience.” I admit that my immediate interpretation at that time didn’t reflect a fraction of the knowledge and experience I possess today.

As I write this letter to you and all of your staff, I would like to point out that the aforementioned experience to which I referred, also includes the people we cross paths with in aviation circles, and the effect they have on our lives.

During my attendance at the American Flyers CFI Academy from July 17 to August 15, 2003 , I gained a tremendous amount of flying knowledge and experience. However, I departed the Academy with one additional bonus, if I may, and that is my impression of the genuine Professionalism and Authenticity on the part of your staff. Their dedication to instruct and willingness to communicate their vast knowledge base in a stylish, diplomatic and congenial manner, deserves to be recognized as ‘Outstanding.’

Sincerely,

Philip C.

Dear American Flyers,

This letter to formally thank you, and everyone at American Flyers for an amazingly positive and rewarding learning experience at the CFI/CFII Academy.

Everyone with background and experience in the professional and business world knows that the measure of any organization is its people. And that’s where American Flyers shines. All staff and instructors were professional, friendly and supportive, and singularly committed to providing me, and all students, with a positive learning experience and full preparation for a successful practical test (‘checkride’).

I both enjoyed and learned so much from the fine ground and flight instruction that I received during the Academy, from all the excellent flight instructors at American Flyers , including you both, Travis Ring, and Silvano Cardella. American Flyers has instructors that are not merely doing a job or ‘time-building’, but that truly are in it for the love of the game – because they are naturals and love aviation – and most pertinently, love teaching aviation to others. And it shows: I notice and appreciated that the Instructors went the extra mile and (when they were not even being ‘ paid ‘) spent extra time, beyond the formal lesson, to help instruct and guide me (and other students), to fully understand, excel and succeed.

Your mechanic, Pete, went out of his way to make sure that I was comfortable and fully understood all aircraft systems, and was familiar with the aircraft logbook entries to demonstrate its airworthiness. I am proud to have received my training from American Flyers and highly recommend it to others.

As I seek CFI instructing opportunities in a competitive market (an inevitable occupational hazard), the reputation and known quality of my training at American Flyers definitely gives me a helpful ‘leg-up’.

So, please accept my positive feedback and gratitude. Like a good CFI is forever your co-pilot, you are forever my mentors in Flight Instruction, and I will always integrate the knowledge, skills, safety and training from American Flyers into my flying, and pass on that excellent instruction to my own students.

Sincerely,

Anthony S. Lowenstein, Esq.

My name is Stacey Wareham-Clayton and I was the proud and grateful recipient of the January 2014 Judith Resnik Memorial Scholarship. I graduated from Central Texas College and Texas A&M University-Central Texas with degrees in Aviation Science & Professional Pilot in May 2013. I used this scholarship for my CFI initial and CFII add on at the Pompano Beach, FL location under the expert guidance and mentorship of Chief CFI Ground Instructor Patrick Connell. The forty five days I spent at the CFI Academy were life changing and I owe this opportunity to Judith Resnik, her family, and the professional staff at American Flyers.

Upon graduating from the Academy I was immediately hired at US Aviation Academy in Denton, Texas where I instructed an array of students with international, military, and domestic backgrounds. Within six months of my employment I was promoted to a Part 141 Check Instructor and CFI Team Leader tasked with performing stage checks and check rides under our self examining authority from the FAA.  During my time at USAA I maintained a 100% first time pass rate for all of my students thanks to the invaluable instruction skills I learned at the Academy and also from the critiques of my fellow CFI Academy colleagues, which has led to my Gold Seal Flight Instructor.

I am still climbing through the flight levels toward my career goals and am currently a Part 121 Airline Pilot for Republic Airways flying the EMB 170 and 175 all over the United States and internationally. I am still pursuing my dream of flying for a major airline and am actively giving back to women pursuing aviation as a pilot mentor and CFI ground instructor.

If I could advise someone considering applying for this scholarship, DO IT! This scholarship gave me the opportunity to start my career and helped me gain confidence in myself as a professional pilot. Throughout all of my certificates, ratings, and certificates I have relied on quotes for inspiration during the tough times, and have often given them to my students when I see them struggle. My favorite quote by Ralph Emerson is: “Don’t waste your life in doubts and fears:  spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.”

In closing, the Judith Resnik Memorial Scholarship not only helped me but also allowed me to help others reach their potential too.

Have Fun & Fly Safe!

Stacey Wareham-Clayton

When I first completed my CFI, I worked for American Flyers in Cleveland as a flight Instructor. It was there I instructed weekend ground school classes which really taught me how to teach, as every class was different and each student was at different stages in their flying. The staff was incredibly supportive and the environment made it easier for me who was learning how to teach, fly and plan the next week also!  I remember being totally intimidated, until the day I worked as a CFI with a client with many years flying experience who was working on a CFI reinstatement. We were working on cross country planning when I realized that he couldn’t plan a low-altitude flight because he had not done so for many years. The light bulb went on!

One year ago I moved to Cleveland Airsports, still as a part-time instructor.  I moved because I wanted a new challenge of flying with the same student from start to finish.  It has been very gratifying to take a student from start to finish and have the examiner tell me that the student was well prepared.  Watching my first solo student has been a special highlight also.

My plan always has been to retire early from my full time job as a nurse practitioner and instruct full time.  I am slowly working my way towards that goal, multi ratings are up next and then ATP.   I continue to instruct part time and that early retirement is in sight!

Sincerely,

Deborah Downey

My son, Brian Whittingham is one of the students at your facility. I just wanted you to know I spoke with him last night, and he said he had learned more yesterday than he had EVER learned in a day of class before. Considering he is a senior aeronautical science major at Embry Riddle, I thought that was pretty high praise. Keep up the terrific job!

Thanks for all your help and for encouraging him.

My Journey is still in progress, but since the scholarship and subsequent CFI/CFII ratings, I have been extremely fortunate. My primary employment is with the U.S. Government as a wild-land firefighter. However, since I have the ratings and experience, my employer has granted me the opportunity to fly the King Air B200C as co-pilot mapping wild-land fires at night; consequently building precious twin turbine, IFR, night and cross-country time. This summer I was also detailed the the Redmond Air Group in Central Oregon as a Sherpa (C-23A) co-pilot dropping smoke jumpers and para-cargo. I am hoping to get on full time of course but am very happy right now with the afforded opportunities.

The scholarship has helped me in two ways: 1) it has helped gain the respect of my peers – since earning the CFI/CFII ratings and gaining the instructing experience shows depth of knowledge and experience. 2) I have gained a great sense of pride and confidence that comes with the CFI/CFII ratings.

As far as helping women achieve their goals in aviation: I have introduced two female friends recently to the beauty and awesomeness of flight. More importantly however, for humanity as a whole, helping other women in aviation achieve their goals is not where it should end. Goal achievement and progress is for women everywhere in whichever endeavor. They can see that there are those of us who ARE successful in our careers – as pilots, firefighters, business owners, bankers, professional mountain climbers, writers, etc. It’s just a matter of being pro-active and LIVING by example. There’s my soap box!

Sincerely,

Angela D. Wittenberg