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Sean Archer,

New York, USA

I earned my Private Pilot Certificate at Trade Winds Flight School in Fort Pierce, Florida on July 17^th, 2009.

It was a wonderful experience

How I Chose Trade Winds Flight School.

My adventure started back in January 2009 while I was living in South Korea as an English teacher. I had decided to start my flight training in the summer so I researched a constellation of flight schools in the United States. I narrowed my search to California, Arizona, and Florida. After contacting some flight schools, Trade winds took center stage due to their timely and professional response. I spoke with Trade winds staff Ashley, David, and the owner Mr. Ernie Carnahan. Since I was not able to visit any flights schools, I felt I would not be able to accurately research a flight school. Trade Winds answered all my questions about training, housing, and most important cost without the ‘pushy salesperson’ routine.  I decided to train at Trade Winds.

Here is a brief synopsis of my training experience at Trade Winds Flight School.

I completed my Private Pilots Certificate in three weeks.  I was on summer vacation so an accelerated course fit my time constraints.  Before I arrived, I bought and studied the Gleim CD test prep and enrolled in their on-line ground school. It was helpful but Trade Winds has King Ground School DVD’s that you can take advantage of. The DVD’s give you a valuable visual during various flight maneuvers. We flew practically every day. Though it was fun, I started to burn out and became frustrated at myself for making mistakes over and over. David, my flight instructor, realized this and suggested I take a break because I had hit a ‘mental wall’; my brain needed time to absorb and understand what it was taking in.  I took two days off and watched reruns of M*A*S*H at my guest house.  David’s advice was on point. When I returned on Monday morning, I was ready. Training progressed over the days and we covered all the requirements for my check ride.  David set me up for 2 mock check rides with Mark Hanson. Mark pointed out all of my short comings and I worked on them with David. I was also introduced to Dan Taylor. Dan practiced two mock oral exams with me and painted a clear picture of what I needed to know for the exam.  Both the mock check ride and oral exams helped me greatly. I did them each 2 times because I needed too. Others may not.  I was well prepared by David and I passed my check ride.  I would recommend Trade Winds Flight School to anyone committed to earning their Private Pilot Certificate. In the future, I will be returning to rent aircraft and to earn new ratings.

Housing Accommodations

While training at Trade winds, I stayed with Jeff Smith and his wife, Cheryl. They live about a 5 minute drive from the airport or a 40 minute walk. They were perfect hosts. They provided transportation to and from the airport, home cooked delicious evening meals, and a study area. The bedroom was very comfortable with a queen size bed, dresser, and own private bathroom.

Sean with his Instructor, Dave.

Sean with Mr. Corcoran after passing his checkride.

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Jeff Rickenbach,

Orlando, Florida

Tradewinds was very flexible in helping me to complete my Private Pilot Training on weekends since I work full-time in Orlando.  It was worth the commute because your prices are very good and FPR is a nice airport for a student pilot.  Bill Schiller is a great CFI because he constantly challenges you to improve and always provides feedback - both positive and negative.  Thanks to everyone!!!
Jeff R. - Orlando

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Graham Robson

U.K.

I learned to fly at Tradewinds, with Ernie, and passed in 18 days - yes 18 days !

Ernie collected me from Orlando on a Sunday afternoon, October 7th 2007; I had no flying experience at all and on the Monday morning we started... exactly one week later, Monday October 15th, I passed my written FAA exam and soloed, both on the same day ! 

Ernie was my full time instructor for all of my course, with a couple of lessons with Bill Schiller to brush up on my side-slips, and he confidently guided me towards his and my goal to pass with 3 weeks of starting flying.  With my flight test booked, all work was focused on being ready for the oral and flight test, which I took on the morning of my 19th day in Florida - and passed with flying colours. 

Incredible, from zero to private pilot in 18 days... thanks Ernie and everyone at Tradewinds, you helped make this happen and made me feel so welcome, almost part of the family, especially the evening out to dinner and the concert to give me a break from all the evening studying.

I returned to the UK, joined a local Aero Club and now part own a Cessna 150 and flew over 100 hours here in the UK in the past 12 months, with my total now almost at 200 hours. I have also now flown rented aircraft in Melbourne, Australia, Las Vegas, Nv. and Tucson Az. and have just returned from a week touring in Florida flying a rented Cessna 172.

Stop dreaming and give Ernie a call !

Graham Robson
Harmston
Lincolnshire
England

graham-robson@btconnect.com

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David Baverstock,

U.K.

Thanks to Ashley Ernie Jason Bill and Sid!

 I would like to thank everyone at Trade Winds for there professional attitude throughout the course of my flight training. I wanted a PPL for as long as I can remember and now I have one! It was great to learn with a school that had no hidden costs and was prepared to be patient with someone who is not as young as he would like to be. The medical was not as complex as the CAA which was one of my concerns. I recently took ownership of my own Piper Cherokee and fly all over the UK and France. I would recommend Trade Winds Flight School to anyone who is interested in flying and would like to make world a smaller place. Fulfil your dreams like I did.

Good luck!

David Baverstock 50 years old

Buckinghamshire England, based at Wycombe Airpark

Phone: 01296330169

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Keith Parker

U.K.

 I would like to thank everyone at Tradewinds for helping me get my PPL, and changing my life along the way. After a number of years thinking of learning to fly in the England, and wondering where to learn, I finally decided to speak to Tradewinds in Florida. From my initial telephone call to first solo, I felt very comfortable and confident with their instructors Jason and Ernie methods of teaching and the quality of aircraft which were always maintained in top condition, this really helped me, being a foreign student with limited time available. I found Tradewinds approach to flight training so refreshing compared to other schools I had been to, I guess this is because they are a family owned school and actually care about their students. They really did make my dream become reality. Well done to all at Tradewinds Flight School and thank you once again.

Sincerely,

Keith Parker

Guildford, England.

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