Thank you for all your help on my way to finish the instrument rating.

I was always very impressed with the fast, thorough and patient responses to my e-mails, even when I sent them late in the afternoon or even during the evening hours. The positive impression I gained from our discussions was very comforting, I therefore decided to finish my instrument rating with you.

I flew from Michigan to California to meet with John at the Van Nuys Airport. On the same day we began with the training and an initial flight to get me accustomed to the plane and the airspace as well as to give John an idea of which topics had to be covered and what needs to be practiced in order to get me ready for the instrument check ride. John is a great and experienced teacher who did an excellent job with pushing me to my limits but also with polishing my skills and in deepening my understanding of the instrument flying system. I learned a lot from John, inside and outside the plane, about flying and aviation in general.

The check ride took place on January 1st. Thanks to the intense training with John, his constant pushing and pointing to things that I missed during the training, I passed with flying colors. Is there a better way to start the New Year?

The G1000 equipped Cessna 172 we used for the training was fun to fly and in great condition. It was a great and thoroughly enjoyable experience working with John. I don’t want to imagine, how much more time I would have had to spend in Michigan (conditions are currently 5°F degree F, snow and ice) to finish the instrument training.

Thank you, I will certainly recommend AFIT and John to other pilots.

• Martina Reik - Novi, Michigan