★★★★★
5 out of 5
5 years ago
I've known Charlie Copeland for a long time, which is why I initially started at Flex Air. In 2019, I started at the San Diego location. After just 10 days, they got me to solo. My instructor out there, Hanna Fowler, looked after me and recognized when I needed to stop studying for just a second; she believed in me when I needed it most. I am originally from VA and had to return home after those 10 days - just a few hours after my first solo flight. I started pursuing school full time and aviation was pushed to the back burner. It was another 9 months before I was able to train again. In May 2020, I began training - but this time at the Manhattan, KS location because of the housing option for the most part. There I was paired with the instructor that would get me to checkride, Joe Near. For 2 months, I trained about 4 days per week. At about 75 hours, I attempted my checkride, but did not finish it. Despite trying a few more times, KS weather was uncooperative. I had to start school at ERAU so I finished my checkride in FL. Flex Air really prepared me for anything. I took my checkride in an airplane I had never flown before -- still a 172 -- but an entirely different model than I had been flying previously -- and I passed. I now fly G1000 equipped aircraft vs the 6 pack aircraft Flex Air has and the transition wasn't difficult. I feel like I have a deeper understanding of the instruments because I started on 6 pack and had knowledgeable instructors who taught me everything they could. There's a rather large difference in airspace between San Diego, CA, Manhattan, KS, and Daytona Beach, FL and Flex Air prepared me to deal with each environment. As a part 61 flight school, students that come here do have to understand that a lot of your training is up to you - it is your responsibility to study and keep up with your training; your instructor will help you, but they will not babysit you. I found it to be a lot easier to focus on flying with the written out of the way before coming. As a smaller school, there are also fewer airplanes, which means one may not be available for you, so just be aware of that walking in. The weather doesn't always cooperate - it is often windy in KS; initially, I found myself knowing how to land in a crosswind sooner than I knew how to land without a crosswind. As with any flight school, they had their frustrating moments, but overall it was a good experience. Make sure to allow adequate time to complete a certification; I ran into that problem leaving San Diego and again leaving KS. One of the things I liked most about Flex Air was the trust and faith they had in their students. After soloing, we were able to make our own schedules when there were free airplanes, which is something I haven't encountered at the flight schools I've trained at in FL. The people there really care about you. When I found myself disappointed in myself, I got phone calls from a multitude of people from Flex Air, reminding me that I can do it. I wouldn't trade my time at Flex Air for anything.
Eleanor Lacharite
