Ashleigh Fenn discovered her passion for flying by accident. She had gone to Australia to visit her brother with the intent of staying there for 10 months, but realized after 3 weeks that it wasn’t the right time for her to be there. Instead she decided to stay at her family’s condo in Palm Beach for the winter. Her dad, a GA pilot and aviation attorney, suggested she take some flying lessons while she was there.
She earned her Private and says that the training became almost addictive. She got her Instrument rating, Multi Engine Private, Commercial, and now her CFI’s. She’s planning on becoming an Airline Pilot after she gains some experience instructing. Her older brother James, who’d begun his flying before Ashleigh, came to American Flyers to work on his Private and ended up asking her for help!
Ashleigh’s dad owns a C-340 and one of the best things to come out of this experience is the bonding with her father. Dad loves to fly with his little girl!
Air National Guardsman Aims High
Joe Pavela, Jr. recently completed is Instrument Rating in a beautiful red Cessna Cutlass which has been a part of his family since before he was born! Joe’s dad is a long time pilot and couldn’t be happier that his son possesses the passion as well. When he was around 10, his dad let him start flying the airplane. Soloing in his own airplane a few years later is a special memory for him. So was one of their favorite family trips was to Montana. They landed on a mountain strip and, geared up in their backpacks, they jumped right out of the airplane to hike. Joe’s mom and younger sister love to be passengers.
Joe had a few days to finish up his Instrument Rating before heading off to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona to obtain training for his intelligence job with the Air National Guard. He’ll be heading back to Iraq in the fall, but come next spring, Joe plans to apply for a flying slot so he can live his dream of flying the F-16. Joe’s job is to interface with the pilots so they have all of the information they need to make the mission. When he talks about his work, you can see he loves what he does. No matter where his flying career leads him, Joe plans to be a part of the Air National Guard, flying F-16s out of Madison, Wisconsin’s 115th Fighter Wing.
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
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!
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
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