Although aviation is popular, people rarely talk about the various paths a person can take to achieve the goals of becoming a certificated pilot. There is the Ab Initio academy-style approach, which allows a student with no prior experience in aviation to join a program with a group of

Pilot’s Digest: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Jon Riley: I am 38 years old and married to an awesome lady named Katie. Katie and I celebrate our 12-year anniversary this year. We have two gorgeous girls, ages 11 and 8. We are originally from the frozen tundra

Pilot’s Digest: How did you get into aviation? Eric Moffett: My dad is a pilot for Delta, so I have always had a little bit of interest in aviation. I went to college for business management because I did not have a solid idea of what I wanted to

Pilot’s Digest: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Brystal Duppstadt: I am from Euless, Texas. I graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in May of this year, where I studied mechanical engineering. Apart from flying, I enjoy live music, traveling, hiking and playing the banjo. PD: How did

By: American Flyers Pilot’s Digest: Tell us a little bit about yourself: Maria Jose Fernandez: I am from Mexico, and my father is a pilot as well as my uncle. Ever since I was five years old, my father used to take me on his flights all over the

Pilot’s Digest: Tell us a little about yourself. Robert Orozco: After high school I joined the Air Force at 17 years old with my parent’s consent. I met my very supportive wife at my first duty station. We started our small family a few years later. During that time,

Pilot’s Digest: What inspired you to learn to fly? Christian Winsnes: Since I was a young kid, I loved to see airplanes wherever I was. When I traveled with my family, I kept staring at all the airplanes that could be seen from the window. At that age I

Pilot’s Digest: Ok, we have to ask, what inspired you to learn to fly at over 80 Years-old? Evan Spelfogel: Ever since I was 6 or 7 years old during WWII, I dreamt of flying P-40 War Hawks with the Flying Tigers in China or Hellcats over the Pacific

By American Flyers Pilot’s Digest: How long have you wanted to be a pilot, and why? Ian Perkins: I have wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. I remember being on holiday with my family in Ishpeming, Michigan, when I was young. When flying home,

By Pilot’s Digest Pilot’s Digest: When did you start flight training? Jack Goldberg: I started my Private Pilot training in early January of 2016. PD: Why did you pick American Flyers for flight training? JG: My mom bought me an Introductory Flight for my birthday because she knew I

By American Flyers  Pilot’s Digest: Tell us about your aviation career. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it? Steven Mendez: I started just over 10 years ago. It has been a journey full of experiences, challenges and many sunrises. I have worked in Copa Airlines,