Gloria Arevalo has already experienced the glamour of working for the airlines. She’s been a flight attendant for 10 years and is now preparing to trade up to a seat in the cockpit. She has longed for the excitement of being behind the controls and decided to take a personal leave of absence to accomplish her goals. Not only is she almost done with her Private pilot training, but she’s a senior at Utah Valley State College working on her bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science/Professional Pilot.
“It was fun, fun, fun!” she said about her flight training experience. Gloria particularly enjoyed learning about the weather. She’d spent all those years as cabin crew, never worried about the weather – that was someone else’s job. Now she finds it fascinating. “The best part is being able to do something you love. Don’t be scared about changing careers. I procrastinated – too long, probably. Now I’m addicted to flying!” she says. In 2-3 months Gloria will be ready to start her professional pilot career as a flight instructor.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you, your instructors, your equipment, actually your entire organization at Meacham International airport. For many years as a VFR-pilot I dreamed of obtaining my IFR-license, so I could combine a business trip with the pleasure of flying. Well American Flyers has made that dream come true. During the 12 days of extensive training I was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism, the organization and knowledge of the entire American Flyers team. I have seldom seen that all the flight training (ground, simulator and flying) is on a one-to-one basis. It was an experience that should be set as an example for every flight school in the world.
As you know BEST, with headquarters in Belgium , has an office in Denver and we are just a few miles away from Centennial Airport , together with doing business all over the United States , it would speak for itself to fly myself from one place to the other. Thanks to American Flyers I will be able to gather the necessary experience in the air and when ready I would like to go for my commercial multi-engine. One thing is for sure, when I make the step towards a commercial pilot license, it will be done at American Flyers. So I hope we can meet again next year
I am writing this letter to let you know that all is well. The day after arriving home from Dallas I got a job at International Flight Center at San Antonio International Airport as a Flight Instructor. I already have my first student pilot. I wanted to let you know that by coming to American Flyers I learned a lot of information that I did not know before. I came out of American Flyers with confidence and the ability to teach from day 1. I wanted to thank the instructors who were there to mentor me and help me accomplish my dreams of becoming an instructor. I also wanted to thank Brian Williams for always taking care of any issues that came across. All of the employees and staff at American Flyers are truly professionals. I would strongly recommend American Flyers to anyone who wants to become a pilot or a flight instructor.
To: American Flyers Management March 10, 2012
David Wayne Hooks Airport Houston, Texas
I have just completed American Flyers’ Instrument Rating Course at your training center located at David Wayne Hooks Airport in Houston, Texas and would like to provide you with a few comments on that experience.
As one might expect at a flying school, the flying skills of the instructors were all first rate. Their knowledge of the material covered was solid. Over the course of my training I was with several different instructors all excellent aviators in their own right but each providing a new perspective on my flying which I felt helped me immensely in grasping the new material and putting it into practice. What I found most refreshing however was the interest the entire organization had in my personal success. From the Instructors to the Director of the Facility they were always eager to hear how my last flight faired and always ready with suggestions on how to improve my skills.
I found the flight simulators to be quite valuable – not only in developing the skills and knowledge required for IFR flying, but also in helping to keep training cost down. I am convinced that the use of these simulators easily reduced my training cost by half.
Aircraft maintenance was first rate with all documents well maintained and up to date (I even picked up some tips on how to improve the documentation requirements for my own plane). I was particularly impressed with the speed and thoroughness of the response from the mechanic when any issues with the planes were brought to his attention. Each time I was given feedback on the cause and action taken to correct them (if one didn’t know any different one would swear they were his planes!).
The oral exam and check ride with the chief pilot were thorough. His approach made the event not just a check-ride but a learning experience in itself. His demeanor took the edge off the event and helped build my confidence in the new skills I had developed. At the same time he made sure I understood the limitations inherent in a new IFR pilot and provided guidance on how best to continue to build me IFR experience. To be sure, I wanted to do well on the Check-ride, but I found myself also not wanting to disappoint him.
As a retired senior executive for a global Chemical Company I understand full well the importance of having skilled, knowledgeable and experienced professionals in an organization. This is particularly critical for an organization dedicated to pilot training. Indeed, I would expect to find these attributes at any reputable flight training facility and American Flyers has them in full measure. But I believe what sets American Flyers apart is the attitude and pride they bring to flying instruction – a “flying culture” that creates a safe, positive learning environment, breeding success not only for its graduates but also for the school itself. Such a culture does not develop by accident – it must be lead and nurtured by the leadership at the facility.
Thank you for providing such an enjoyable and rewarding training experience. I am proud to wear the wings of American Flyer.
Sincerely,
Arthur R. Colwell
Dear Lucas,
This letter is written to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to you and the Staff of American Flyers of Morristown for the outstanding and most effective delivery of the Instrument Airplane Course. From the test preparation seminar to the program’s unique balance of computer and aircraft training, you and your staff brought to my experience not only a mastery of subject matter and superior pedagogical techniques, but also a confident professionalism and good humor that was at once encouraging and demanding. To this end my thanks and congratulations on a job well done.
In retrospect it is not difficult to understand that American Flyers has been at the business of instrument instruction for a very long time. It is reflected at every turn. I would have no qualms at all in recommending to anyone interested in learning to fly informed and well, whether for a private license or for an instrument or additional rating, that they enroll with you at American Flyers of Morristown. You run an excellent program with an outstanding staff. I wish you every success in the future.
Sincerely,
Ron Cavanagh
I would like to take this opportunity to express my complete satisfaction with your staff at your DuPage Airport location. I had a very limited timeline in which to complete my training, and they did a great job in meeting my needs. Specifically, I would like to acknowledge Mr. Craig Schmitt’s efforts in preparing me for my Private Pilot check ride. Normally, I would write letters of this sort and e-mail them to their recipients, however I feel so strongly about this I felt a personally signed document was in order.
As a captain in the U. S. Army, I truly appreciate the professionalism and technical proficiency displayed by Craig throughout my “finish up” training with your organization. His attitude and demeanor were nothing less than exemplary, and I would recommend him as a personal instructor to anyone.
While I am not sure what the future holds for me with regards to additional flight training, I am sure that if I receive the training in the Chicago area, I will ensure it is done at American Flyers.
A large portion of my flying time has been with instructors as I worked through programs of private, commercial and instrument training at recognized flight schools including Florida Institute of Technology and Perdue University . Recently I came to American Flyers to retool my skills and complete my instrument rating.
The time I spent with Jacob Lyndon was the shortest and most productive instruction I have ever received. Mr. Lyndon is a very effective teacher who has been able to effectively share his tremendous practical knowledge. As a result, I believe that I am a far better and safer pilot and am able to perform well above the basic requirements for the difficult instrument rating. This opinion is shared by the FAA Flight Examiner who tested me before and after my American Flyer training.
I would not hesitate for a moment to highly recommend American Flyers to any discriminating pilot who is seeking excellent and professional flight training.
I am writing to let you know what a fantastic bunch of teachers and staff you have at Morristown , New Jersey . I had about 110 hours when I came to your school, and I would call some of the time I had at other schools wasted.
Your instructors pushed and encouraged me. Each was superbly trained. I did the majority of my training with Mr. Ian Henry, an unusually intelligent and resourceful young man worthy of special notice. All of the other instructors were terrific. I learned from each of them. The manager, Mr. Mark Bennett, and his staff, were quite responsive. I set a goal – to get my private pilot in short order – and they responded.
I am looking forward to doing my instrument rating at Morristown as soon as possible. Best wishes for continued success with your school.
I wanted to thank you for helping me obtain my instrument rating. It’s great that American Flyers will sponsor foreign pilots to train in the U. S. I wanted to say how profoundly impressed I have been with the course, the teaching as a whole, the organization, from nightly phone call reminders of the next day’s lesson time, to the course material.
In December I was attending another flight school, and was getting quite disheartened with instructors who were simply building hours and showed no enthusiasm for teaching or interest in how you were progressing. After two weeks I realized that despite self-study and a wish to be a good instrument pilot, I was getting nowhere and had learned nothing.
Thankfully I found American Flyers. Without exception all the flight instructors were helpful, patient and extremely knowledgeable. Can I also say that Michael Biagini, my primary flight instructor encouraged me at every stage, despite a shaky start with a 8 hour time change, he was optimistic from the start, planned out every lesson in advance, told me what to do to become proficient and made the whole experience an absolute joy.
I truly believe that without Michael Biagini, my primary flight instructor, there is no way I would have completed my instrument written exam, oral test and flight test in just over 20 flight school days, flying once a day. I look forward to returning in a month’s time to complete my commercial rating.
I found your group to be highly professional and very easy to work with. The level of training was excellent and if I pursue additional ratings it will certainly be with American Flyers. Thank you again.
I would just like to extend my gratitude to you, and all of the instructors there at American Flyers. I started out flying elsewhere, and after burning through thousands of dollars, and getting nowhere, I got frustrated and quit. I was referred to American Flyers by a friend of mine, and decided to look into it. After meeting with you and Chris, I was sure that this was the way I was going to get through my training. You guys worked with me, and got me through my private. Everyone was incredibly patient, professional, and knowledgeable – a far cry from where I came from.
I worked with John Keating quite a bit for my private, and some of my instrument. He was wonderful. He made me feel good about every flight, good or bad, and always kept me motivated – his love for aviation really comes across in his teaching.
Should I choose to continue my flight training in the future, I know that American Flyers will be my first and only choice. I will also be referring you whole heartedly to my frustrated student pilot friends.
I came to American Flyers at the beginning of the summer with no more than 130 hours and told Dave Huser I wanted my CFI before the end of the summer. Within 48 hours, Dave and Randy Weber, chief flight instructor, had a program specially tailored to my situation and I was to start training the next day at 9 a.m! I started Instrument training first, and after finishing that in little over four weeks, I started what I consider to be my master’s degree in flying, the CFI. Notice I didn’t mention anything about my commercial rating. Dave, Randy and Jill Cardosi, my primary flight instructor, found a way to help me accomplish my commercial rating concurrently with the CFI, which was very demanding of me as a student. I had to learn to teach commercial students before I was even a commercial pilot! I took my Commercial check ride and immediately after started working towards my CFI signoff. I started school in August with a CFI rating in my pocket and a smile on my face.
American Flyers helped me achieve my goal no matter how large it was. Anytime the weather was good (or IMC!) I had an airplane in my hands and a world class instructor to help me with it! I know for a fact that this would not have been possible anywhere else on the airport, and anywhere else in the country, it might have lead to disaster. Thank you for helping me achieve my goals, and I hope to join you all this summer as an American Flyers Flight Instructor!
As my time winds down here at the CFI Academy , I just wanted to take the time to say thank you. Thank you to Randy, Jill, Tim, Pete, Ace and all the instructors who not only worked with us, but took the time to check in on us, give us advice or just extend a friendly smile and greeting. The last one was the one that has helped me the most.
While that has been helpful, here is the best part – the education that I have received has been even better! In the years I have been flight training, I have seen different techniques in different schools, and by far, what I have seen here at American Flyers is superior to the rest. I have learned much, not only about aviation, but about myself, putting me in a great position to be a good teacher. For that I thank you. I wish you and all the staff continued good fortune and much success. Keep up the good work!
I want to thank the entire staff at American Flyers for your assistance and training, which enabled me to obtain my private pilot’s certificate. As you may recall, it was about four months ago that I signed up for a few lessons just to gain some more knowledge about travel in small airplanes into small airports. I wanted to learn more about flying in chartered airplanes into small airports to visit jobs and clients. Also, I wanted to learn more about weather and the decision-making process regarding when it is safe to fly.
I fell in love with piloting and I enjoy the many people I have met in the process of training. While I don’t intend to make this another profession, I am very comfortable and confident that traveling by small aircraft is safe and economical way for me and my fellow engineers to save time when getting out to see clients and jobs.
As an added benefit, I found the communication and decision-making skills and continuous learning approach that are stressed at American Flyers to be very much in line with the attitudes we stress among our professional staff at Patrick Engineering. I would encourage others to take the time to go through your program whether they want to learn to fly or whether they just want to be more confident and knowledgeable about travel in small planes. Thank you again, and all the best to your entire staff.
Dear David,
I wanted to take a moment to tell you about the experience I had at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, American Flyers Location. Of course, I could tell you how wonderful the entire support staff at that location were or I could tell you about the high level of readiness each and every aircraft was kept in. But I won’t because that’s not what this letter is about.
What’s important is Jason Foreman. Jason consistently went out of his way and effort to help me get thru my INSTRUMENT TRAINING. He was able to take ten years of VFR flying and all the bad habits I had and mold them into a proficient Instrument pilot in an extremely short order of time.
His professionalism and attention to detail have convinced me that American Flyers is where I should spend my time working on my commercial, CFI and CFII. Hopefully I will have Jason as my instructor for those courses as well.
I just thought you should know that Jason Foreman is a great instructor as well as your best salesman. He did what you promised, he would do, while making me feel I received, a great value on my flight training funds.
Thanks again for your Fantastic STAFF!
Lee Binder