When Ron Cavanaugh was a little boy he lived a half mile from a private airport. He’d go over there to help out just so he could be around the airplanes. “When I grow up,” he told himself, “I’m going to be a pilot.”
Once grown, though, Ron followed another calling, that of educator. He served as the Vice President for Undergraduate Studies at Syracuse University until he stepped down recently to return to the classroom. While he never forgot his dream to fly, it always seemed to find its way down the list of life’s priorities until 2006, when Ron’s daughter and son-in-law gave him an IntroFlight as a gift. The dream was reignited and he earned his Private Pilot certificate.
A grandfather four times over, Ron has just earned his Instrument Rating because he wants to be a safer pilot as he flies those beautiful kids around. He has an eager passenger in his wife, Judy, who loves going places with him.
Ron discovered a bonus to being a pilot. “I’ve met a lot of nice people associated with aviation. I enjoy talking aviation and weather with other pilots. They are delightful,” he says. “Meeting these concerned and caring people makes me feel very positive!”
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 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.
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
Hi Mike,
Just wanted to tell you that I completed my training successfully, and that I enjoyed my stay at the Pompano Beach location. All of the staff (whether flying or on the ground) were very helpful and guided me accordingly throughout the course. The ground training was absolutely amazing and I’ve learned so much that I hope to pass on to my students in the near future.
These guys deserve some praise for the hard work and dedication that they do daily. I have nothing but great things to say about them and I will definitely be referring any new business to the Pompano location if the chance arises.
So Mike, thank you for all the information and steps you provided from the beginning to the end of this short but richly rewarding journey.
I will never forget American Flyers, and the guys that made me feel comfortable and welcomed at Pompano! Many Thanks!!
Regards
Antonio O. Kinch
I must tell you that my experience was absolutely fantastic. The attention to my individual learning, the flexibility of scheduling and the intelligence of the instructors made my lessons simply amazing. The bottom line is this. The value of any organization is based on the intellectual capital of the individuals that make up that organization. You have many individuals working in your office with a high amount of intellectual capital.
While I never took any lessons with Mark Bennett I did however have fairly constant contact with him throughout the last ten months. He was extremely cognizant of the fact that I am basically chained to my desk throughout the week and also have a very busy schedule on the weekends. He also realizes that I am doing this completely for my own pleasure, and given that fact that it is meant to be FUN. In short Mark completely comprehends all aspects of your business. He understands that you are not only teaching people how to fly, but you are also running a business with customers who have many different needs and that these needs should not be under estimated and need to be met.
Consider yourselves lucky to have such talent working for you.
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 it 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.
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.
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 pilot certificate 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.
I really liked having the topics and quizzes broken into smaller categories. Also, having the self pacing was good.