Compliments from Dr. Moffatt Regarding Helicopter Training at Air Orlando

To: John Painter, CEO

Air Orlando

I'm a commercial, multi-engine, instrument rated airplane pilot and recently achieved my add-on private pilot helicopter rating at Air Orlando. When I started looking for a flight school, my plan was to try out both Air Orlando and Titusville, and then decide based on the quality of training program. However, after I flew an evaluation flight with Jason Krakowiak, my assessment was immediately complete and Air Orlando had unquestionably won my business.

I've passed five FAA check rides, and trained with at least a half dozen different instructors. Jason exhibited the best qualities of all my previous instructors combined. As a commercial pilot seeking an add-on rating, I was impressed at how Jason immediately increased the level of training to match my proficiency level. Due to my level of funding, sometimes there would be several weeks between lessons, and Jason always remembered exactly where we left off and was prepared with our next lesson. Throughout my training, Jason's availability was extremely flexible, and because of my hectic work schedule, we would often fly late evenings and weekends.

Jason Krakowiak continuously encouraged a high standard of performance, and emphasized safety during every lesson. He inserted many challenges and simulated failures to sharpen my skills and alertness. Every flight with Jason was fun, enjoyable, and extremely educational. Even though still young in his flight career, Jason's positive attitude, attention to detail and the student's skill level, and continuous focus on safety, distinguishes him as a role model for both new and experienced aviators.

My experience from training with Jason at Air Orlando has renewed my passion for aviation and has motivated me to began working on the Commercial Flight Instructor rating.

Throughout this experience, the staff at Air Orlando was always exceptionally helpful and had a positive attitude. I've searched several flight schools in many different states, and this school has the most versatile fleet of aircraft and training available. The attentive staff and online scheduler make the renting process simple and convenient.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chris Moffatt

Thanks from Barry from the UK

(Note to Reader:   Barry worked very hard to earn his FAA IR with us about three years ago in a Cirrus SR-22 and returned for a Flight Review and IPC in July 2010.  He lives in the UK.  Congratulations to Barry from everyone at Air Orlando Aviation!  Below is a nice email I received after his most recent visit.)



Hi John,


It was good to meet you again.

As previously, your staff made the trip worthwhile. Both Les and Jeff were extremely professional and made the process less of an ordeal. The whole experience was more enjoyable because they both have a light-hearted approach to the job.

Thank you for providing the service. I only wish I could take advantage of it more frequently. .........
I sincerely hope there will be another visit sometime down the track.  All the best, and good luck for the future.

With kind regards,

Barry

Thanks from a Helicopter Student

I am a helicopter pilot currently doing training at Air Orlando Aviation in Florida. Throughout my training at other flight schools, I have experienced continual jumping through hoops that did not move me toward reaching my goal of becoming a professional helicopter pilot. I have trained at several locations from North Carolina to Florida trying to find the school that fit.


As I look back, I realize that some of the things I did for training was totally unnecessary. For example, I flew from the Carolina’s to the Robinson safety course in LA. Another example would have been doing maneuvers, after I had flown to exhaustion because they felt that if something were ever going to go wrong it would more than likely happen when you were tired.

Then I found Air Orlando. I came to Air Orlando almost to the point of giving up on the dream of becoming a professional pilot. I had decided that I would give it one more shot and if things didn’t work out I would find another career direction. Everyone at Air Orlando, from the owner, Mr. John Painter, to the front desk staff, the helicopter pilots, even the fixed wing pilots have gone out of their way to make me feel at home. Several days when the helicopters were tied up and the instructors were busy, the fixed wing pilots jumped in and were more than willing to help with a touch of ground school to help towards my goal of a commercial ticket. At Air Orlando there is no “well Bill is your CFI, so you have to use Bill”. They are a team and they act as such. Everybody helps everybody. There is a huge feeling of an open door policy towards the students.

I came to Air Orlando with 190 hours, a private rating and lots of bad habits that were picked up from various CFI’s along the way. Not only did the staff at Air Orlando help me get past the commercial rating, but they also helped me correct most of my bad habits. I am today a much safer pilot.

I am currently working towards my CFI rating as well as my instrument rating with the Air Orlando staff. I plan on being here until I meet these goals in my flight career. Air Orlando screams with professionalism. They have aircraft maintenance on staff that keep the aircraft up and flying when there is a problem.

It is a great place to train. I highly recommend it to anyone searching for a flight school that wants to help you reach your goal as quickly and cost effective as possible.

Thanks, T. M. from North Carolina

Comment on Fun Places to Fly Posting by Pete M. from the UK

We first rented from Air Orlando in 1997 and flew our first Bahamas trip in 1999. Since then we have been back almost every year.

The freedom and almost guaranteed weather are a refreshing change from flying in the UK.

Favourites are Cape Santa Maria, Long island and Fernandez Bay, Cat island.

Look after N775SP for me, See you again next April.

Pete M.   --  from the UK

Thanks from Jens S. -- Berlin Germany

Dear Air Orlando, Flight instructors and all other employees,

I wanted to thank you all very much for the great opportunity I had to do all of my flight training with your school. I want to use this opportunity to tell other interested flight students – especially from Europe – about my experience.

My goal is to become a professional pilot who would be able to fly US Airplanes but also European Airplanes on a commercial basis.

I started flight training at Air Orlando in August 2008. To become a FAA commercial instrument pilot it took me 12 months. And that includes training at a leisurely pace, and all the hour building for the CP License.

If you want to become a pilot, the key question is how do I find the best flight school for me? For me, the answer was easy.

Several years ago, I was a foreign exchange student at a High school hosted by a wonderful family and they happened to own a flight school. But, at that time of my life, I started to ignore my childhood dream to become a professional pilot, because I thought only very few people in the world are capable of being a pilot. A few years later in Germany, I started to study engineering. After thinking about it I said to myself, why should I do something I don’t like, and this was the beginning when I asked my former host family if I could do flight training with them.

I didn’t know anything about how the competing flight schools differentiate from Air Orlando. But nobody knows unless you experience it and hear other people/students/pilots talk about them.

At Air Orlando Aviation, I experienced a very honest flight school, where they have a great, educated, nice staff, great well maintained late model airplanes, a great flight simulator, and of course the weather is beautiful for learning how to fly. This school is not only a school it also has its own maintenance shop and offers a variety of pilot’s supplies.

I found the pricing of aircraft and instruction at Air Orlando to be very reasonable in comparison to other flight schools in Florida. I also found that Air Orlando included insurance for the pilot without making any additional charges for it, which I do not think other flight schools do. Since of the Dollar-Euro exchange rate is so favorable, I was able to complete my FAA training for a fraction of what the same training would cost in Europe even after factoring in the amounts I am now spending to convert my FAA licenses to JAA licenses.

In round numbers, the total cost of my training will be 40.000,00 Euros from zero knowledge to FAA and JAA Commercial, Instrument and Multi Licenses. I have more than 250 hours of flight time in an airplane. For the JAA licenses I will have to fly at a school that is close by to Air Orlando because Air Orlando does not yet have JAA instructors and examiners.

If you are interested in becoming a professional pilot and would like more information about what I did and what had to been done to fulfill this dream, don’t hesitate to email me (jens.schleinert@gmx.de) or ask me in facebook (http://www.facebook.com/schleinert).

Many Greetings

Jens S. - from Berlin Germany

Comments from Phil C. from Canada

Dear John:

It's been a couple of months since I left Florida and returned to Canada. I've been working through the paperwork to transition my FAA documents into their equivalent Transport Canada licenses, so that I can start flying up here in the near future. As I've had some 'down-time' recently, with the Olympics being hosted here in Vancouver, I've had the opportunity to reflect on my Florida flight training. Just wanted you to know that my time with Air Orlando Aviation (March 2009 - January 2010) certainly counts as one of the best experiences of my life!

As you are aware, I had had a profoundly negative experience with another Florida-based flight school during the fall of 2008. Leaving that situation in early 2009, I was skeptical about finding a new school that would treat this student pilot, not as a number, but as an individual with unique needs. I was looking for the reassurance that my goals could be met in a timely and cost-effective manner. I was seeking experienced and personable instructors to work with. I was hoping for the option of flying a selection of different aircraft models. My search led me to your facility.

From my first phone call to Air Orlando Aviation, I knew that your organization was going to be different and it was the 'little' things that made it so. It began with the invaluable one-on-one assistance to help expedite my visa paperwork. It was present every day in the friendly smiles around the office that greeted me on my arrival for training sessions. It was demonstrated in the expert care taken by the maintenance crew to ensured safe aircraft. However, it was best illustrated by my Flight Instructors, who customized their ground and flight lessons to maximize my learning opportunities! They took the time to ensure that I not only understood the material but also had the chance to experience it from my seat in the cockpit. They continually found new ways to challenge and engage me in the learning process. They raised the bar on performance expectations and then pushed me to meet those goals. Yet, they took the time to help me celebrate each accomplishment. I felt as if I had come home and by the time I had completed all of my ratings, I truly felt as though I had become an integral part of the Air Orlando family!

John, you should be proud of your team! I would like to pass along my heart-felt thanks to each of my instructors: Carlos, Les, Jerry, Chad, Jeannie and Richard. I thank you for being patient and dedicated teachers, concerned with my success. I deeply appreciate the gifts of your time, your stories/examples, your encouragement and your friendship. As role models, you are simply the best. Note: I've been observing your techniques and now, I'm going to adopt as many good practices as I'm able!

I am a proud graduate of Air Orlando. This has been a positive and vital experience, a stepping stone on the path towards developing a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for the commercial aviation career that I'm intent on pursuing.

I look forward to staying in touch and I plan to drop in, whenever I happen to be in the vicinity.

Sincerely,

Phil C.  from Canada

Air Orlando Aviation By Brad Pierce – President of Restaurant Equipment World

Air Orlando Aviation

By Brad Pierce – President of Restaurant Equipment World

Something amazing happened way back on July 3, 1996. I took my first flight in a small general aviation aircraft at Air Orlando. In just under two hours of soaring through the blue skies above, I knew that my life had changed forever. That was the start of a long-term relationship with Air Orlando that’s truly been remarkable. A lot has changed in my life and flying career since that first flight, but one thing has remained constant, Air Orlando has been a solid company the excels in every area of their operations. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Air Orlando.

The basis for my exemplary view of their operations is multi-faceted. I earned my Instrument Rating training with their flight instructors, who were some of the most dedicated and professional people in the industry. I’ve also done recurrent training with them to keep myself, my family, and my business associates safe – and legal. My credit card company can confirm I’ve spent countless hours in their pilot shop that’s filled with everything a pilot could ever imagine. I’ve also been both a rental customer as well as an aircraft owner who’s had an airplane on a lease-back program with their flight school. Throughout my ownership experience of three airplanes, each of them has been meticulously maintained by the highly trained staff at the AOA Maintenance facility. I have no doubt that any of their mechanics would put their own families in any plane that they maintain given the high level of quality they achieve during each visit. Most importantly, I’ve spent a great deal of time over the years with the management of Air Orlando. Talking, often about airplanes, yet also about people, places and business in general. I think you can tell an awful lot about an organization by getting to know the people behind the operation. In the case of Air Orlando, the company is run by some of the finest individuals and most trustworthy people I’ve ever had the honor of knowing.

As we fast forward quite a few years, it leads me to explore the true impact Air Orlando has had on my life. I currently fly a Turbo Cirrus SR22 aircraft which I use extensively in my business. While many competitors are limited by geographic constraints and hoping for better times ahead, I’m actually out there expanding our business and meeting face-to-face closing deals. Just last week I asked a customer in San Antonio if we were up against many competitors for a project – their response was typical – “yes, we’ve gotten proposals from several companies, but you’re the only person to actually show up and visit us.” That statement was followed by a smile as this customer was turning from a prospect into a sale, something that would have been difficult to accomplish without the use of a general aviation aircraft. The number of similar stories that I could convey are countless. My logbook reads like a novel of business and personal experiences made possible through use of general aviation. My company has grown ten-fold over the past years and I have Air Orlando to thank as a trusted partner who has been a key ingredient in this success story. I urge other business operators and individuals to explore all that Air Orlando has to offer. Their services will give you a solid tool to change your life, take your business to new heights, and open doors to new experiences to enjoy with your friends and family.

Air Orlando is My Aviation Place!

Experiences with Air Orlando - John C. from the UK

Hello

I just thought I'd drop you a line to say how impressed I have been in my dealings with your organisation. I recently completed a rental check out on the PA28 Warrior with Les Dillard and have to say I was yet again impressed as he was a very friendly and helpful instructor and guided me through and gave me the confidence with the aircraft and made sure I was all good with everything to do with it.

I had previously checked out with Ryan Sexton in the DA20 back in August, this was also a very good check ride and BFR and Ryan was more than happy to assist with any questions etc I had and again was very friendly and welcoming. Also the guys on the counter doing dispatch and everything are brilliant, again this makes such a difference in making you at ease and wanting to come back.

I think the theme running through your organization of that friendly and welcoming atmosphere is so far removed from the experiences I have had with other companies. I am currently getting my UK ATPL, doing the theory and building up my hours. I currently work for Virgin Atlantic and have found it very handy to be able to build up my hours when I do flights to Orlando with work and again your company makes this an absolute pleasure as I can book with such great ease and again feel so welcome when I get there.

I also have to mention the aircraft, obviously I haven't been able to fly the DA20 for a while but I must say the maintenance and condition of all the aircraft I have had experience with at Air Orlando far surpasses your competitors who offer European JAA training in Florida.

I'd just like to say a great thanks for everything so far and I will be out again later this month again to pick up some more hours but thought I should just let you know just how good your organization and the people who work for you are, and must say you are all a credit to aviation!

Best Regards

John C.  from the UK

Light Sport Aircraft Now Available at Air Orlando Aviation!

Air Orlando Aviation has recently added a Remos G3 Light Sport Aircraft to our rental fleet.  The Remos is available for rental, private pilot training, and light sport pilot training.  We are offering the Remos at a Special Introductory Aircraft Rental Price of $99 per hour.  Below are some of the features of the aircraft.

 

• 
  

  Roomy Cockpit.

  
  

  Glass Panel.

  
  

  Easy to use instrumentation.

  
  

  Fly with the doors on or off.

  
  

  More room than a 152.

  
  

  Ballistic Parachute System.

  
  

  Ample useful load.

  
  

  Garmin 496 GPS.

  
  

  Dual Nav Comms.

  
  

  For most pilots, a quick transition from other GA aircraft.

  
  

  Fun and Easy to fly!

  
  

 

With our Remos aircraft, you can:

1. Earn your LSA rating.
2. Earn your Private Pilot Rating.
3. Do simulated instrument work.
4. Accomplish timebuilding for other ratings.
5. Fly Day and Night VFR.
6. Accomplish a Flight Review(BFR)

 

Check it out!  We think you will enjoy flying it!

This Blog

I hope this blog will provide another way to stay in touch with our customers as well as current and former employees. I will try to add to it as often as possible.


We intend for the content of this blog to include:

• Discussion of topics we believe might interest you;

• Responses to questions we hear from you;

• Comments you submit to us either via email or by making a posting to this blog;

• The "Stories" of pilots that work and fly at Air Orlando; and

• Info about interesting places to travel by general aviation airplane.

Thank you for being interested in Air Orlando! We appreciate you very much.

1,000 Thanks from Bob C. from Orlando

I recently received the following email from one of our customers.  I hope you can relate to his sentiments.

This month I logged my 1,000th flight hour. I am very proud of the accomplishment as it has been completed in 4 years. However, it would not have been possible without the assistance of the Air Orlando team.

Often times one will say - "I want to thank everyone" or "there are too many people to thank".... I want to thank each individual who has made my dream of becoming a pilot a reality.

Jason, Anthony, Leigh and Jared as CFIs have devoted hundreds of hours training me to become an accomplished pilot.

A special thanks to Richard (Chief Pilot) who throughout my flight training has always asked - "Bob, how is your flying? Is there anything else Air Orlando can do for you as a pilot?"

Wow - 1,000 hours! Sunshine, thunderstorms, wind, night and day .... who knew I could learn all this? For me it was a boyhood dream that Air Orlando has turned into a reality.

John, the thank you would be incomplete without acknowledging the fine efforts of the professionals who staff your maintenance facility - Jerry, Mark and Paul have treated my airplane as if it were their own. They have come in early, stayed late, worked weekends and even went to Venice, Florida for offsite maintenance. Above and beyond and done right is how they operate! As a pilot you know you cannot pull over to a cloud, stop and call AAA. As an Air Orlando customer who know wherever you land - Jerry, Mark and Paul - will find a way to get you home and back up in the air.

In review:

- Student pilot (age 56)

- 1,000 flight hours (age 60)

- 2 world airspeed records over time and distance (Federation Aeronautique Internationale and National Aeronautic Association) (age 57 and age 58)

- Plane owner (3 1/2 yrs) - Diamond DA20

My airplane is known as "Sunshine" because that is what flying and Air Orlando has brought into my life.

Thanks again,

Bob C

Referral Rewards Program

More than half of our new customers are referred to us by former employees, customers, and friends in the industry. We take it as the highest form of compliment and are so thankful when we hear someone has been kind enough to send their friends and associates our way.

We ask that you take a moment to consider whether there is a friend and associate you could refer to us. It would be greatly appreciated in these challenging times!

So that we can tangibly thank those that choose to recommend us, we have established a new referral reward program. Basically, just send the information about the potential customer to us using the referral form on our website and we will provide you a $100 gift certificate or account credit when that person becomes a customer as a thank you for doing so.

Thanks again to all of you that have been so kind to refer customers to us!!

Do you need airplane renter's insurance?

Renter's insurance has two components. The first, Liability Coverage, would deal with damage caused to passengers or other parties due to an accident. The second, Hull Coverage, would deal with payment for damage done to the airplane you rent.

At many companies that rent airplanes, your exposure to a hull loss is as high as the value of the aircraft you rent, which for a late model C172 can be well over $200,000 or for a Cirrus can be over $400,000. In addition, at many rental outlets you have no coverage to deal with your liability to passengers or third parties.

If you chose to rent from such companies, renter's insurance would be very important for you if you have an accident. Ideally, the hull coverage would be enough to cover the most expensive airplane you rent and the liability coverage as much as you can afford. The last time I looked, a renter's policy that provided $250,000 of hull coverage and a modest level of liability coverage could cost about $2,000 per year. If you fly about 100 hours per year, this would add about $20 per flight hour to the cost of renting planes for the year.

If you rent from Air Orlando, our fleet insurance policy includes significant features that reduce your exposure and that can reduce your cost of renter's insurance dramatically. First, our insurer provides you with $500,000 of liability coverage. Second, our insurer has agreed not to sue you to recover their hull losses (waived their right to subrogate) under most circumstances, which limits your hull exposure to our deductibles. Third, we have relatively low deductibles ($1,000 for a fixed gear single up to $2,500 for a retractable twin). Finally, our insurer covers the fixed costs incurred by our aircraft owners while a plane is being repaired, which reduces your exposure to loss of use claims.

If you rent from Air Orlando only, you still may decide to purchase a renter's policy. If you do, you would add to the liability coverage already provided to you under our policy and you could elect the lowest level of hull coverage offered. Doing so, will reduce the annual cost of your renter's insurance policy down to the $250 per year range or less. So, in this case your renter's insurance policy would cost $2.50 per hour if you fly 100 hours per year.

We think this is one more advantage to you of chosing to fly at Air Orlando.

Your Aviation Place!

Your Aviation Place!

When I purchased Air Orlando Aviation in October 2002, I thought Your Aviation Place! captured what I wanted the company to become.

To me it means that we intend to meet your aviation needs if you live in or visit the Orlando area by providing you:

• The best pilot training experience -- for those that intend to fly just for fun, for business, or as a professional
• Access to top quality, well maintained rental aircraft for training and travel purposes
• A fully stocked pilot shop
• Top drawer aircraft maintenance

The phrase not only captures what we do, but how we do it. It means to me that we will approach our business with your perspective in the forefront.

Bottom line, we want this to be the place you come to first to be involved with general aviation! We want to provide what you need and want the way you need it and want it to be provided.

How has this notion of being Your Aviation Place! impacted our company? It affects every practice and policy in our company, but to give you some key examples, it is why we:

• Have a full motion Motus flight simulator that allows us to do a better job with your IFR and multi-engine training
• Hire flight instructors that are interested in pilot training as a profession and provide them with the supervision and tools to be successful for you
• Have a diverse fleet of today's technology aircraft available for you - including the latest and best from Cirrus, Diamond, and Cessna
• Insist that each aircraft will be clean and maintained only to the highest standards
• Use the Schweizer helicopter based on its extraordinary safety record
• Offer aerobatic and upset training in the Super Decathlon aircraft
• Have invested in the facilities, training and tools for our maintenance staff to be second to none

Your Aviation Place! was intended to communicate these ideals in just a few words. Hopefully, we are delivering on this promise to you.

Ft. Lauderdale Water Taxi/Bus

For a great day trip, we enjoy flying to Ft. Lauderdale, riding the Water Taxi/Bus past all of the wonderful yachts and homes on the inter-coastal waterway, and enjoying dinner at the 15th Street Fisheries, one of the best seafood restaurants I have ever experienced.

The most convenient plan is to land at KFLL, park at Jetscape, the FBO on the NE corner of the airport, ask for a ride to the 15th Street Fisheries about 3 miles away, make a reservation for dinner, and jump on the Water Taxi/Bus on the dock beside the restaurant.

Spend the day exploring the sites from the water, shopping on Las Olas Blvd., and head back to the 15th Street Fisheries for dinner. After dinner, the night flight back up the coast and then inland to Orlando is one of the prettiest you will ever experience. (You are night current, aren’t you??)

Jekyll Island GA

K09J, Jekyll Island GA located 35 nm NNE of Jacksonville, offers a nice runway with ample safe aircraft parking within easy walking distance of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The hotel offers wonderful restaurants and accommodations in the hotel or nearby cottages.

You can tour the island on bicycles or smart cars, tour restored cottages formerly built pre-WWII by America's wealthiest families, enjoy the beach, or play golf and tennis.

My wife loves the island's many photo opportunities. It's a great place to take your spouse for a day trip or a romantic weekend get-a-way. For more info, see http://www.jeykllisland.com/ and http://www.jekyllclub.com/ .

St. Petersburg, FL

KSPG, a.k.a. Albert Whitted Airport, is located near downtown St. Petersburg on Florida's Gulf Coast. KSPG offers pilots easy access to the quaint shops and restaurants located in the downtown district.

The St. Pete Pier, Salvador Dali museum and world class accommodations at the Vinoy Hotel are all within walking or biking distance of KSPG.

If you like Spanish food, I think the Columbia Restaurant still serves the best you can find. It's located on the top of the St. Pete Pier easy walking distance just to the north of KSPG.

Each Spring, the St. Pete Grand Prix is held nearby, with a portion of the airport utilized as the race track. Flying into and out of Whitted can be a real treat as the runways are directly adjacent to Tampa Bay, giving everyone on board spectacular views of the entire Bay Area. A new FBO facility has recently been completed offering ample and safe aircraft parking and excellent service.

When flying to Albert Whitted, I recommend planning your route direct to the PIE VOR and then south to KSPG. Contact Tampa approach for Class B clearance and usually they will vector you directly over the east-west runway at Tampa International at 1500 to 4500 feet. Over the Causeway just to the west of KTPA, ATC will turn you south over the PIE VOR and into the KSPG airport area.

Approaching the airport from the north, the KSPG Tower may advise you to use caution to avoid any masts of sailboats moving in or out of the St Pete Yacht Club or may close runway 18-36 if a cruise ship is moving into or out of the terminal just to the south of the airport. (Honest, both have happened to me.)

When leaving, the route is usually just reversed.

I try to avoid flying across the bay east to west because high speed military traffic moves into and out of MacDill AFB over Ruskin and Tampa Bay. When I have done so, it has been with Class B service from Tampa approach.

Travel to Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbour in the Abacos

Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour, in the Abaco Islands offer the best of the Bahamas and are an easy flight from Air Orlando.

Fly southeast over Vero Beach to Blufi intersection and then due east 60 nm to Freeport and then another 90 nm east to either MYAT or MYAM. At 8,000 to 10,000 feet, you are out of gliding distance of land for only about 10 minutes until within range of Grand Bahama Island.

The beaches are wonderful, snorkeling unparalleled, and people extraordinarily friendly. Just file a departure notice on eAPIS, file and activate a VFR or IFR flight plan, make the beautiful flight, clear customs with the friendly Bahamian customs officers, and then grab a cab to either beachside resort.

We usually rent a boat for the duration of our stay and have an incredible time snorkeling and enjoying the clear Bahamian waters. The diving and deep sea or flat fisshing are also favorite activities for many.

On the return, clearing customs in Ft. Pierce (KFPR) takes just a few minutes and then head on back to Air Orlando (KORL). Don't forget to file an arrival report using eAPIS and call to notify customs before leaving your departure airport.

A long weekend is great, but a full week is even better if you do some island hopping while in the Bahamas.

I recommend the Bahama Beach Club in Treasure Cay if you have at least 4 people and the Hope Town Harbour Lodge on Elbow Cay for just the two of you, a short ferry ride from Marsh Harbor.

Why Choose Air Orlando?

Our focus is on you – the customer.

1. You will receive the personal attention and quality of instruction you deserve and need to maximize your training experience.
2. You will be treated as a customer throughout your training experience, not a captive student – we want to earn your business every day
3. We will tailor the training to your needs, in terms of schedule and learning style
4. You will be assigned primary and secondary instructors – this team approach insures continuity and maximum instructor availability
5. Our instructors are professional, experienced, and well supervised. Many have decided to make pilot instruction their profession
6. You will follow a clearly defined training syllabus and plan that has proven effective
7. We will make sure your training progresses in the most efficient way, making the most of your training time and dollars.
8. We keep the joy in learning to be a pilot.

Our aircraft are equipped with the latest technology and maintained only to the highest standards.

1. You deserve to learn in aircraft that allow you to become comfortable with today’s technology from the very beginning.
2. Our aircraft are clean and maintained for maximum safety and reliability.
3. Our late model aircraft include the latest in safety features
4. Our fleet includes the best offered by Cessna, Diamond, and Cirrus aircraft

You deserve to deal with an honest company that acts with integrity.

1. Our pricing and payment policies will always be fair and reasonable
2. Our pricing will be competitive – but we will not try to be the lowest priced company if that means sacrificing what we deliver to you
3. We will deal honestly with you – no hidden charges – no traps like large withdrawal penalties - no large up front payments
4. We do not over commit to students – the ratio of students to airplanes and instructors will allow you to make constant progress and meet your scheduling objectives
5. We will do the right thing -- even when no one is looking

We intend to be Your Aviation Place! This means we will offer you opportunities you will not enjoy elsewhere. For example,

1. We offer aerobatic and advanced upset training in our Super Decathlon – to make you the best pilot you can be
2. You can transition into the 175 knot Cirrus SR-22 – a great traveling machine and preparation for flying advanced airline equipment
3. You can earn that helicopter add-on rating
4. After you have earned your PPL, you can rent our planes for that personal trip you would like to take
5. If you meet our standards, we would love for you to become one of our top notch CFIs

Please shop the competition, but do not be fooled by low prices that end up costing much more in the long run or deceptive marketing practices. When you look carefully, you will find that Air Orlando is the right company for you!!

Air Orlando Aviation Receives SEVIS Approval to Issue M-1 VISAs

Air Orlando has received SEVIS approval to train international students that would be in the US on an M-1 Visa!

Now international students can receive fixed wing and helicopter pilot training at Air Orlando Aviation -- in an atmosphere that emphasizes safety, customer service, and the most effective pilot training available!