14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

After a 29-year hiatus, my dream of flying felt finally within reach. As a teenager, I had successfully soloed, but life had gotten in the way, and my journey to a private pilot’s certificate was put on hold. All those years, the passion never faded, and I longed to be back in the pilot’s seat.

I knew the traditional route of working with multiple instructors over several months wouldn’t suit my learning style. My goal was to find an immersive, accelerated course where I could work one-on-one with a seasoned and experienced instructor. That’s when I discovered Tony and AFIT. When Tony and I connected, we immediately hit it off, and he laid out my best options. Within a few days, I was introduced to Todd, my instructor whose impressive background and experience immediately resonated with me.

The process moved quickly. Just 10 days later, I was in Rexburg, Idaho, ready to begin a two-week accelerated course with Todd. From the moment we met, I knew he was the right instructor for me. His teaching style was a perfect fit, and he was also just a great, friendly guy as well. Todd walked me through the training plan, which was all leading up to a pre-scheduled check ride with a DPE that he had very diligently arranged. I knew my success depended on the study work I put in prior to arriving and throughout my flight training.

Once in the airplane, Todd made me feel comfortable immediately. We quickly built a rapport that made the learning process fun and enjoyable. My rusty skills became refined within a few days, and Todd’s clear and insightful tips made me feel confident in my abilities. In just six short days, I soloed, exactly as Todd had predicted.

The following days were a whirlwind of progress. We flew twice at night, and I completed two solo cross-country trips in addition the multiple solo flights I took. Todd’s excellent instruction and guidance kept me encouraged. As the check ride approached, he coached me daily, quizzing me on the oral portion of the exam and aided in refining the key flight maneuvers for the practical exam.

On the morning of the check ride, Todd and I took the short, beautiful flight to Bozeman, Montana. He continued to instill confidence in me right up to the moment I sat down with the DPE. Three hours later, and with Todd’s voice in my head guiding me, I brought the airplane to a stop on the ramp. The DPE told me I had passed! I had become a certificated private pilot on what I later learned was National Aviation Day, a fitting end to a long journey.

Without Todd’s incredible experience and instruction, I’m not sure it would have been possible for me to achieve this lifelong dream. Todd is an excellent CFI and a great guy, and I truly look forward to working with him again on advanced ratings in the future. The AFIT program works, but as I learned, you get out of it what you put into it. Study, listen, read, and absorb—your success depends on it!

My experience with Todd was nothing short of incredible! Through his expert instruction there are key things and processes that he’s instilled in me that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Adam Moon

Denver, Colorado

• Adam Moon - Denver, Colorado