American Winds began in the 1980s as an aerobatic flight school, but it was September 11, 2001 that shaped the school into the full-service flight training facility it is today. Established by Chief Flight Instructor Denise Hobart and President Mike Kolomichuk in January 2002, American Winds Flight Academy, Inc. (AWFA) quickly gained recognition as one of the finest flight training facilities in the Midwest.

Certified under the Federal Aviation Administration as an approved Part 141 flight school, AWFA is qualified to train students who have an interest in receiving a private pilot license, obtaining an advanced rating, or training the career-minded individual who wants to make aviation his or her career goal. All of this happens under the watchful eye of Chief Flight Instructor Denise Hobart, who has been in aviation for more than 20 years and has thousands of hours of experience training students.

AMERICAN WINDS
RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

Third flight school in the Nation to be
Nationally Accredited by the Dept. of Education

In April 2007, American Winds was granted accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). This honor allowed us to become one of only three flight schools in the United States to be Nationally Accredited!  ACCET is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education since 1978, ACCET is “a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training provided by institutions of higher education and the programs they accredit.”

AMERICAN WINDS
MAKES AVIATION HISTORY!!!!

AWFA Trains First Instrument Rated Deaf Pilot
Stephen Hopson

Engrained in the American Winds staff is a full-time commitment to providing the very best training environment for each and every student who walks through the door.  AWFA made aviation history after receiving permission from the FAA to develop a program and then train the first hearing-impaired pilot to qualify and receive his Instrument rating. The hard work and effort paid off when Stephen Hopson passed his Instrument check ride on February 25, 2006, resulting in national attention from the aviation community and the media. The accomplishment of training the first hearing-impaired Instrument pilot further established AWFA as an innovator and leader in the flight training industry through recognition by the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA).

AMERICAN WINDS
AWARD WINNER - 2006

"New & Emerging Business of the Year Award"
Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce

In 2006, AWFA reached another milestone when it was selected Emerging Business of the Year by the Greater Akron Area Chamber of Commerce. This achievement helped further establish the school’s role as a leader in education, business and economic and community development.  These successes cannot compare with our greatest achievement … our students.  We are proud of each graduate, whether he or she chooses a career in aviation or merely flies for pleasure.

AMERICAN WINDS
AWARD WINNER - 2007

Top 10 Business in N.E. Ohio
Selected Out of 18,000
"Cose Ten Under 10"

The COSE Ten Under 10 award is for new small businesses that recognizes the outstanding achievements of 10 N.E. Ohio small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.