Private Pilot Training

Tony,

I want to let you know how much I enjoyed working with John to get my Private Pilot’s License. The accelerated program was the best use of my time and was very cost effective. John is an excellent instructor, very patient and always ready with tips to ace all PPL maneuvers. He gave my confidence a solid boost and ensured I was a safe and competent pilot before my checkride. Instead of wasting hours flying infrequently, I would recommend AFIT to one and all looking to get their pilot training completed in the best possible way!

Best Regards

14-Day Private Pilot Training Course

Hey Tony,

Working with Jason over my two weeks of flight training was a blast. Jason pushed me to excel and thoroughly prepared me for my check ride, which I just passed yesterday. He over-prepared me and the check ride went very smoothly (Jason’s standards were higher than the examiner’s). I’m ecstatic and feel like a confident and safe pilot. It was a demanding two weeks, but I couldn’t imagine learning how to fly any other way. It was a pleasure learning under Jason’s guidance and I appreciate all of the care he put into my training. After my first solo, Jason took me flying in his aerobatic plane, which was a great experience and kept me motivated about the possibilities of aviation! I intend to work with AFIT again when I go after my IFR rating.

Thanks for everything.

My Private Pilot Training

“I can’t say enough positive things about my training experiences with AFIT and my CFI, Todd. I was incredibly fortunate to start AFIT training the summer I turned 16 and with Todd’s expertise and instruction – I solo’d a Cessna 172 before I even had my driver’s license. I returned to intensive training a year later – after turning 17 (per FAA regulation) – to refresh and prepare for my FAA oral exam and check-ride. Todd (my CFI) was amazing – in my corner every step of the way; truly a world class instructor, coach and mentor. With and because of Todd’s wisdom and expert instruction, coupled with Tony and AFIT’s unfailing support, I now hold a FAA PPL! Most of all, I’m excited about continuing to learn and grow my skill set and ratings as a pilot with AFIT.”

Todd is and was truly awesome and I will forever be in his and your debt for all of the support.

Thank you for everything!

14-Day Private Pilot Training

My experience with AFIT was nothing short of perfection. The two weeks flew by (pardon the pun). In all seriousness with Tony’s organization and John’s expert instruction gave me the tools to succeed. Getting a private pilot certificate in two weeks is not easy, but with John’s instruction it didn’t feel like work at all.

I recommend AFIT to anyone who wants to earn their certificate quickly and the right way.

Seriously thank you both.

10-Day Instrument Training

Tony,

I could not be more impressed with the training I received through Accelerated Flight & Instrument Training. The curriculum, equipment, and quality of instruction completely surpassed any expectations that I had. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous at first.. as I had never received so much consecutive training in such a small amount of time. The moment training began, it immediately became clear that there was nothing to worry about. Daily ground and flight training was structured in a logical, intuitive, progression of skills which built upon each other. Mike was awesome well!! I learned more from him in 40 hours of training than I did in the 100+ hours of training I came in with. He is calm, clear, and extremely patient, though he’s not afraid to challenge you when you get too comfortable. He knows when to assert himself and make crucial info known, as well as when to keep the cockpit a sterile environment so you can acclimate to your setting. Repetition was key- I couldn’t imagine getting my instrument license in any other format. I will definitely be training with AFIT again in the near future!

Best,

14-Day Private Pilot Training

It’s hard to believe how much can get done in as little as two weeks! If you had told me how much progress I would’ve made in such a short amount of time, I wouldn’t have believed you. But thanks to my time with Greg, I now can fly comfortably and confidently. He was always incredibly patient, understanding, and an all-around great and fun guy. We even brought my friend along and flew up to Tahoe after my first week!

It’s hard to overstate how quickly and thoroughly the program trained me in such a short amount of time. I went from soloing a mere three traffic patterns to flying solo long distance cross country in a matter of days! AFIT has given me many great skills and memories as I set out to pursue more with my pilots license. I couldn’t think of a better way to have kickstarted my future in aviation!

Best wishes,

John Bredall

10-Day Instrument Training

I have been working on my instrument rating on and off for 5 years. Every time I would get motivated the distractions of life got in the way and I would get sidetracked. I decided to try something different, an accelerated training program. I contacted many of them and felt like Tony at AFIT was my best match. He allowed me to use my plane and he gave me many choices regarding locations and instructors.

I was paired with John in the Denver area which turned out to be a perfect match for me. John is a great instructor and a wonderful person. He not only got me trained for the check ride but he taught me countless tips on how to be a better pilot. His knowledge and ability to explain was excellent.

These guys have everything set up for your success as long as you put in the work. It is not an easy process. It was hard work and sometimes tiring and stressful but I know for me it’s the only way I could have gotten it done.

Thank you John and Tony for helping me get the rating and become a better pilot!!!

Mike Trompeter

14-Day Private Pilot Training

Good afternoon Tony.  I wanted to convey to you how impressed I was at the knowledge and professionalism of my instructor Mike at Lincoln, California.  I wouldn’t have been able to pass my check ride without his cool and calm instruction.  For those that care, I am a combat veteran of Afghanistan.  I know, we’re a dime a dozen now.  But I was in a few gun fights that were never as intense as flying.  The first week I was drenched in sweat I was so nervous.  But gradually, day by day Mike taught me how to fly good ‘ole Cessna 80246.  I knew I was getting better and more confident the dryer I was when I got out of the plane!  Ha!  This was a long road getting this private pilot license and I was a bit skeptical about doing it in two weeks.  It was a perfect block of time.  I would highly recommend this course if you’re on the fence about it.

Having that knowledge test passed before you show up will allow you to concentrate on flying the dang plane.  The days will be LONG and the last thing you will want to do is go back to your lodging and read.  I mean that wholeheartedly. So please for your own good read and study BEFORE showing up.  I can’t say enough about how much fun it was.  It was quite enjoyable and I look forward to doing my instrument training with AFIT as well.

Thanks again Tony for your understanding and flexibility of my schedule.

Kind Regards
Landon Lox

CEO Sandbox Security, Inc.

My Private Pilot Training

Obtaining my pilot’s license has always been a lifelong dream, however, life events have always seemed to get in the way of this goal.  I’ve had some flight training prior to taking the AFIT course but the skills erosion associated with being a weekend warrior, at the mercy of inclement weather, prevented me from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m a banker in New York City with a hectic and dynamic schedule.  The AFIT course made obtaining my pilot’s license a safe reality in a compressed timeframe and is specifically designed for people who are self-disciplined, driven, committed, and willing to do the pre-work required to hit the ground running.  I opted to take two weeks off of work, disconnect myself from everyday life, and park myself in a rural California town where I could focus on the goal at hand.

I was paired with an outstanding flight instructor who was dedicated to me and only me, day in, day out; he also ensured safety was the primary goal, not successful completion of the course.  The way the AFIT course itself was laid out gave me a well-articulated roadmap to follow as I progressed through my lessons and FAA requirements.  I felt comfortable at every stage – my first solo, my first cross-country, my FAA oral and check ride – and am now a Private Pilot, thanks to AFIT.

Flight instructors are, in essence, teachers.  Not all teachers are created equal and the same is certainly true about flight instructors.  I’ve had a few flight instructors in the past but none as committed, knowledgeable, and patient as Andy.

Flying involves a lot of science – physics, statics, dynamics – but Andy’s teaching techniques are an art.  He has a unique and effective way of articulating complex subject matter, often times through easy-to-understand real-life examples.  I ask a lot of questions and Andy was as patient in the cockpit as he was on the ground; he took the time to explain things in depth which greatly improved my overall flying and learning curve.  Andy does things by the book, as all pilots should, and during every step of my lessons with him, safety was the top priority.

Flight instructors have a lasting impact on the future flying habits of their students.  I certainly lucked out with Andy – he is a class act and I will undoubtedly be visiting him again for my instrument and commercial ratings.  Highly recommended!

I highly recommend this course to anyone who fits the personal attributes mentioned above.  I cannot speak highly enough about Tony, my flight instructor Andy, and the AFIT course.

Success in Salt Lake City (Private Pilot Training)

Tony,

Please let me send enormous ‘Thanks’ to you and my PPL instructor, Tom.  After years of working toward my private pilot’s license (and having invested thousands of dollars in another ‘finish up’ group who could not deliver what they promised), you both helped me to earn my certificate in November. What a tremendous feeling of accomplishment, that is directly related to Tom’s incredible knowledge as a pilot and skills as an instructor. Tom has ”nerves of steel and calmness of a saint.”  Hour after hour in the air or on the ground, he would (without ever raising his voice) continue to reinforce good habits and correct bad ones.  He was intensely dedicated to getting my training done, too.

Tom was extremely friendly to get to know, as well.  He is a remarkable man and I’m so fortunate to have met and learned from him.   

I can’t thank you both, enough — for helping me to achieve this life-long goal!  

My 6-Day Commercial Training

Aloha Tony and Mark,

I want to thank you and your school for your help and last minute schedule flexibility.  Mark is a patient instructor who works on Hawaiian time.  We went with the flow according to the weather, and we either started earlier or worked later depending on each days unique situation. I was able to earn my rating in the promised time, and now I’m on to becoming a VFR Captain with my current flying gig

 

10-Day Instrument Training Course / Cessna T182T / G1000

Hey Tony,

Just wanted to let you know how incredible this program was for me! Shawn was an absolute joy to fly with and was incredibly educational. He went above and beyond to make sure that I was the safest IFR pilot I could be. He went out of his way to find actual IMC for me to fly in and I ended up with over 8 hours of actual time. There was not a single procedure I was worried about on the check ride as Shawn was so thorough. My examiner cancelled on me last second and Shawn ended up calling many different examiners around the area to get me scheduled just a day later than expected! I was 100% confident throughout the entire process. I made my flight home on a filed IFR flight plan and flew an approach in actual IMC at night and felt absolutely confident in myself as Shawn was such an incredible instructor! I would absolutely recommend this program to anybody wanting an instrument rating and I have nothing but praise for Shawn Robinson as an instructor.

Thank You.

10-Day IFR Training in my Bonanza

Hi Tony,

My training went very well. It was truly a pleasure to work with John and, I am very happy with the service your organization provided.

Thank you so much for the wonderful training. 

Sonya Atkinson

My 14-Day Private Pilot Training

Hi Tony,

I just wanted to say thank you and that the accelerated course was just what I needed to be able to successfully knock out my license. Ruben was a blast to fly with and taught me a lot. The other instructors that I met along the way were very nice as well.

My time with AFIT was definitely worth it.

Thank you for everything,

Isiah Thompson

10-Day IFR Training  Cessna 182 / G1000

Tony,

I want to thank you, and specifically AFIT instructor Andy, for my fantastic experience in obtaining my IFR.   After obtaining my private pilot’s license four years ago, I have flown general aviation aircraft for pleasure almost exclusively in the Pacific Northwest, where IMC and 2000 foot ceilings are commonplace throughout the year.

In pursuing my instrument rating locally, I tried to block out a couple hours a week from my professional career and focus on an IFR training syllabus.  It was an almost impossible task, and so I turned to AFIT to complete my course.  To become proficient flying in IMC conditions, I needed to remove myself from my daily routine of career and family and focus exclusively on this goal, and so decided to complete this journey by enrolling in your accelerated course at Lincoln, CA.

Your instrument program turned out to be the perfect solution.  Within an hour, instructor Andy had me flying under the hood to assess my flying ability, and what we needed to focus on to reach my goals.  I had already passed the written exam, allowing us more time in the air.

For the next eight days Andy had me flying departures, holds, procedure turns, and every approach in the book.  We did this morning after morning, day after day, for eight straight days.  Our lunch breaks were spent reviewing the procedures, analyzing deficiencies, and discussing different scenarios.  Afternoons were spent with either more flying, or more discussion in preparation of the oral exam as Andy shared his wisdom of accumulated knowledge built on an impressive career in aviation.

In reflecting on my experience with AFIT, I especially appreciate Andy’s intuitive ability to decipher where I was at in my IFR training.  He realized that while my immediate goal was to pass the final exam, his goal was to make me a more accomplished and safer IFR pilot.

The ten days spent with AFIT instructor Andy has been a highlight of my aviation career.  Thanks to both of you for your role in making my dream come true. 

Mr. Bill Schultheis

My Private Pilot Training

Hi Tony,

I’m headed back to Seattle and wanted to give you a review of my experience with this program.

Instruction: The knowledge acquired and Greg’s instruction were incomparable. He’s the best, most experienced instructor I’ve ever worked with: kind, patient, thoughtful, knowledgeable, humble, and a superlative teacher. He has a way of making complex concepts simple and encourages critical thinking–why we’re doing something, not just how. Anyone who works with him will learn a ridiculous amount in a short time. Every instructor I met at Lincoln who worked with AFIT was similarly incredible. Poteet, Andy, Sean all welcomed me, made me coffee, bought me lunch, and took time to chat with me and offer fantastic advice.

Airport: In my opinion, the Sacramento valley is unparalleled for student pilots. So many useful landmarks, stunning mountain strips, great WWII history, 10,000′ runways, fields you could land in if you needed to, the Buttes and Folsom Lake for easy orientation…heaven.  Lincoln has to be one of my favorite airports of all time; long paved strip, uncontrolled, no big obstacles at either end, favorable winds.

Thanks for the opportunity to work with Greg. You were very responsive and originally took me on last-minute and I appreciated that. This was an edifying experience and I learned a lot.

Best,
Christine Meranda

My Experience with AFIT, Private Pilot Training

Good Morning Tony…it’s Saturday, and I am finally getting a little quiet time to reflect on my recent experience with AFIT & Ruben, culminating in those three amazing words from the mouth of the DPE sitting 2 inches to my right…”Congratulations, you passed!”  That happened on Tuesday morning, I flew back to my home town near Houston, TX from Sacramento, CA, and just now the wave of satisfaction and joy is finally catching up to me.  The 10-Day Finisher Course was exactly what I needed.

After beginning my journey summer of 2016, soloing that December, I was struggling to cross the finish line between my work/life schedule, as well as increasingly squeezed CFI’s at my flight school.  Finally, in December 2018 (2 years after solo), I was ready to go full throttle.  I knew accelerated programs were out there, but I also knew there was a continuum on the quality of that training.  Since my dream is to fly my family of 5 around the country, quality wasn’t something I was willing to skimp on.

After some time researching the internet, talking to several folks, Tony and AFIT began to float to the top.  I had roughly 55 hrs of flight time & training, including a solo endorsement when Ruben met me at the Lincoln, CA pilots lounge.  I knew I could take off, land, and likely navigate, somewhat safely, across the unfamiliar Sacramento Valley area, but that wasn’t anywhere close to the goal for both Ruben & myself.  Currency & Proficiency ARE NOT the same!  Ruben worked tirelessly and patiently with me to not only complete my flight requirements, prepare for the check ride, but even more…to make me a safe and competent “real world” pilot.

I am proud to hold my certificate in my hand.  I know this marks the beginning of a whole new chapter for me and my family.  And I feel incredibly blessed to have found Tony, Ruben and AFIT!  If you are tired of bumbling to the finish line, and you can afford to take time to focus exclusively on the miracle and responsibility of general aviation…AFIT is a wonderful partner!!

Thanks Ruben & Tony…you will forever be a part of my aviation story!

Sincerely,
Stephen Covey

Private Pilot, Single Engine Land

10-Day IFR Training / Mooney Oviation

Hi, Tony.

I had a great time flying and training with Shawn over the last 10 days. He’s an excellent teacher, and he gave me the knowledge and experience needed to feel confident filing and flying in the IFR system. In addition to practicing lots of approaches in both simulated and actual IMC, we flew real cross-country point-to-point trips which helped me see how everything fits together. By the end of the training, I was more than prepared to pass the check ride. And it felt great to fly home solo afterward on an IFR flight plan without hesitation.

I highly recommend AFIT and Shawn  to anyone serious about training.

Thank you!
David Patierno

 

10-Day IFR Training / In My Bonanza

Tony,

Here is how I would sum up my experience with AFIT……… Transformation of Navigation/Instrument skills in 10 days:

When I arrived VFR from Texas and began decent into the Oxnard (KXOR)area for my IFR training, I was vectored south of the Camarillo (KCMA) airport and then mistakenly lined up on what I thought was the Oxnard airport to the west…… well, it turns out it was the Point Magu Naval Air Station (KNTD) I was lined up on and quickly instructed to expedite a 180 degree turn and head toward the Financial Plaza  to enter the pattern for Oxnard.  When I met my instructor John the next morning I told him this story and that I thought we had a lot of work to do, and we did.  Slowly but surely, John tested and refined my flying and navigation skills to a point where I could began to integrate the concepts of instrument flying with he systems in my Bonanza.  We flew every morning and every afternoon shooting approaches in some very busy airspace followed by a through debrief of weaknesses and strengths (which usually led to homework).

Fast forward to my return trip back home to Texas (with my instrument rating) with my wife onboard, I descended confidently through 4,500 ft of clouds and broke out 900 ft above the ground lined up perfectly on the RNAV 15 approach Into T82.  Nailed it.

While I have a lot yet to learn about instrument flying, the attention and challenge I received during the training was priceless.  When we weren’t flying, my instructor John was peppering me with questions to prepare me for the oral, which helped me focus on the areas where I was weak.  The oral went great.

To close, I feel the intensity, repetition, and frequency provided by this training provided me a solid base to build from and along the way I developed a friendship that will last forever; John and I hold a similar passion for flying and I’m sure we’ll fly together again.

Worth every penny.

Richard Morrison