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American Flyers
Commercial Finish-up & Flight Instructor Academy @ KPMP 01-03-2002 to 02-28-2002

As the end of 2001 neared I figured I had better find a flight school to finish my training in single engine airplanes. I wanted to do it quickly. I called several schools and American Flyers in Pompano Beach, FL became my school of choice. I departed Columbia, TN on January 1st, 2002. After a days drive I arrived at my friend Justin's apartment in Jacksonville, FL, the half way point. I finally arrived at American Flyers on January 3rd, 2002. I was excited. This would be my first time to really dive into aviation. For the next 60 days I would literally live and breath aviation.

The School

The hotel I stayed at really is nothing to talk about, so I'll start with the flight school. American Flyers has 15 schools in the United States. The Pompano Beach American Flyers is located at the Pompano Beach Airpark, just north of Fort Lauderdale. They have several flight training devices (simulators), a staff of professional flight instructors, and a well maintained fleet of Cessna 172s, and Cessna 172RGs (RG means retractable gear). During my training, American Flyers proved to me that an excellent flight school really does exist.

The Beach

Even though the ground school was 8am to 5pm every single day for 30 days, I somehow managed to make it to the beach. The beach was not too far from my hotel, but I drove the extra 15min down to Fort Lauderdale Beach. I went three times and found a great Hooters. It was on the 3rd floor and overlooked the beach. With the views (inside and out) from the tables and the breeze it was worth the drive. Walking up and down Highway A1A, I visited several other shops and side walk cafees. It was really nice and a great escape from the hotel.

Graduation

During my Commercial & CFI training, I was transformed from a novice Private Pilot into a professional flight instructor. You would think that a brain would not be able to digest information so quickly, but it did. I scored excellent on my three written exams. I got a 90 on the CFI test, a 96 on the Fundamentals of Instructing test, and a 94 on the Instrument Instructor test. We had a little graduation lunch and presentation at the completion of the 30 day academy. This was just for the ground school. Flight school was not finished yet. At the time of graduation, I still had about 5 hours of flying to do, which is normal.

Back row left to right: Sandi, Me, Mike, and Milt Front row left to right: Robert, Angel, and Jerry

Angel Pons

Angle and I worked with each other most of the time. We spent hours on the simulators working on Instrument Flight Procedures. He did most of the simulator flying, and I did most of the simulator teaching. He was a little rusty on Instrument skills at first, but after a week or so on the sim, he was doing great. I learned a lot from him also, like what does, and does not work well on the teaching end. If I can credit anyone for making my Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) flight exam go so well it would be this guy. My examiner told me I know what I'm doing because I could not keep my mouth shut through the whole thing, which is a good sign. Thanks Angel! You the man!

Angel "ACE" Pons

The Checkride!

February 25th, 2002 and I was finally able to take the flight test. Weather had held me back a week or so (funny since I was in the "sunshine" state). This was my initial Flight Instructor CFI flight test (before the instrument test). I already knew the examiner because I had taken my Commercial Pilot test with him on January 8th, 2002. After I arrived at American Flyers on January 3rd, it only took me 4 days to finish the Commercial training which I started before arriving. Both flight tests went very well.

During The Checkride!

During the checkride, after most of it was done, I asked the examiner if I could snap some pictures of the beach. He flew the plane back to the airport so I could critique his landing, and he let me take some pictures. These are the two best pictures I took from the plane. My instructor said I was crazy for doing that on a checkride. Learning how to fly must be fun in order for the student to remember certain things. I figured that making the checkride fun would make the examiner happy. I was right, and I passed with flying colors and color pictures.

The Boca Inlet, just southeast of the Boca Raton airport along the Atlantic Coast.

After Thoughts

American Flyers became my 2nd home while I was in Florida. I spent a lot of time at the school, and got to know most of the instructors and staff there. I like how all the students at the school are treated with respect and priority. When I had a question I could go up to the front counter, ask it, and have about five or six instructors answer it right away, and I would walk away some time later with a complete understanding of the topic. I would like to take this time to thank the instructors and staff at American Flyers for their hard work and dedication.

Thanks to... Martin for getting me through my commercial license Pat for putting up with our academy class during ground school Steve for taking care of business Gary for the many hours of flight instruction and drilling me for the CFI-A practical test Igil for taking the time to answer some questions even though I didn't use him as a flight instructor Arron for getting me a ride when my cars alternator quit at the pilot shop 15 miles away Mike for all my why this, that guestions during class Everyone else for their professional service