Below are just a few of the testimonials we receive from students and people that we have worked with in the past or present. It's always great to hear from our clients and get feedback! Send your comments to us at American Winds & maybe we'll post them here!
Nathan Racine – Commercial Pilot
Canton, OH
Upon entering American Winds Flight Academy, I, like most student pilots, was weary of the education I would receive for the money I would be paying. As I learned throughout the commercial course, for every dollar you invest into flight training at American Winds, you get more than ones money’s worth back in an outstanding education.
Before entering American Winds, I had been a student at a small “mom and pop” flight school for my private pilot’s license and a student at a University which specialized in aeronautics for my instrument rating. I did not anticipate American Winds to live up to the educational standard of a college level flight program. I was later astounded to find that they far exceeded my preconceived notions. I personally was lucky enough to study under CFII Myron Rogers. Myron not only tailored his flight instruction technique to my personal limitations as a student, but also went out of his way to make sure I, as his student, was never limited because of his personal schedule. By the end of my training, I had never felt more prepared for an oral exam by a flight examiner. On my test day, this feeling was confirmed when the FAA examiner said to me, “I can tell you had a good instructor, because you know your aircraft systems better than most CFIs”. Also, when asked about what a Minimum Equipment List for an aircraft was, the examiner was so surprised by my response that I even began to think that maybe I had answered the question incorrectly. Because I thought I was perhaps wrong, I hesitated to tell him that Instructor Stacy Goulding had taught me the answer I had given when asked, “who taught you that?” However, to my relief, my answer was 100% correct. As I later discovered, the reason for his revelation was because that particular question was his most frequently missed question in a commercial exam and I had not even hesitated when I had answered it.
While at American Winds Flight Academy I honored to have flown with almost every single instructor they have. From Ryan to Stacy or Myron to Dan, they were all extremely nice, knowledgeable and fun to fly with, not to mention professional. I would highly recommend this flight school to anyone contemplating becoming anything from a recreational pilot to a career pilot. I can candidly say that the education provided exceeded any expectation I could have had, and that I am undoubtedly a more confident and more knowledge pilot for becoming a commercial pilot at American Winds Flight Academy in Akron, Ohio.
Ken Klemencic
Commercial Pilot
After an inspiring flight with a pilot friend, I decided to take flying lessons. I spent several months looking at different flight schools, but could not decide which one to go with. One was American Winds; the others were names that you would know. I had a really good feeling about American Winds, but at the time, it was new and the lesser known of my final three.
At the recommendation of my friend, I called an FAA Examiner, told him my story, and asked him a simple question; of the three flight schools that I had it narrowed down to, which one would you go with and why? Without hesitation, the examiner said, “American Winds. They are a good school with great instructors, safe equipment, and a get it done attitude. All of I pilots I have tested from American Winds passed with flying colors. They are priced right and you will get the most for you money”. WOW - I guess you could not get a better endorsement than that.
That was the spring of 2003. Today I hold a commercial pilots license with an instrument rating and I am currently working on my multi-engine rating to expand my business opportunities. I use aviation for business and pleasure and have made great fiends along the way. While I am still about 15 years from retirement, my grand plan to get my CFI-CFII-MEI and spend my retirement years giving back to aviation as a flight instructor.
If you are looking for a flight school – look no further. If you made it to this website you are already there. Make a phone call or take the time to make a trip and visit these fine people. The FAA Examiner was right and I echo his endorsement, “American Winds. Great School. Great Instructors. You will get the most for your money”.
Steven Sexton
Future Certified Flight Instructor
I like American Winds because it's a smaller school and everyone is closer. It is a family atmosphere.
Angela Bender - Canton, Ohio
Private Pilot
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American Winds makes possibilities into reality.
I'd also like to take this time to thank everyone at American Winds who made it possible for me to find my inner strength and believe in myself. I truly feel like a changed person for the better and needed the experience to heal from my past and move on. I look forward for tomorrow and no longer dread what tomorrow offers. Thanks again for the support and encouragement from the entire staff of American Winds.
Kelsea Brown - Canton, Ohio
Student Pilot
My first flight up was TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I went up with Stacy (my flight instructor) and Tracie who was practicing for her commercial license.... I'm marketing American Winds Flight Academy by wearing my jacket EVERYWHERE. I learned one of my track coaches flies and was really impressed, and now I can't wait to go back in the air !!!!!!!! AMERICAN WINDS FLIGHT ACADEMY ROCKS... it blows my socks away!!!!!!!!!
Ed Garcia - Akron, Ohio
Private Pilot
Thanks AWFA, you helped me achieve one of my life long dreams...
to become a PILOT! The airport and flight school are 1st class and the flight instructors provide the highest quality of training.
You guys are the Best!!
Matt Moro - Brunswick,
Ohio
Private Pilot
Aviation started at a young age for me. My dad back in the day was a pilot for numerous companies and charters. He also was into radio controlled modeling as well. So when I was thirteen, he decided to get back into it as a father son team. We traveled all over Ohio, Arizona, California, Florida, South Carolina where many r.c. modeling air shows took place. Which were better known as fly-ins, where many pilots from all directions come to meet at a local R.C. field to host an all weekend flying event.
By this time he wasn’t current with his license but in 2005 that was soon to change. My dad went to American Winds and flew with their Chief Flight Instructor, Denise Hobart. On his biannual review with Denise, it introduced to me for the first time flight in a private aircraft. My dreams started to form from that day on. Once I had an aviation career in mind, the skies were the limit.
Towards the end of my senior year in high school, I had it in my mind to be an Air Traffic Controller. Community College of Beaver County offers one of the best ATC Programs in the country. One Thing that was holding me up was the fact that getting your pilots license for the first semester is near impossible with out of state tuition costs and trying to find a plane and a flight instructor at the same time. So four years later I came back to American Winds to start my future. American Winds was my savior in offering real competitive pricing on planes and real devoted flight instructors.
When I first started at American Winds, it blew me away how involved everybody was in helping every student achieve their goals. I would have to say the best experience was the flight instructors. My flight instructor was Stacy Goulding. I can’t tell you how much motivation and courage she gave me. Listening to her experiences and trials made me want to go out and create my own. She did everything she could to save me money; she had me do free ground lessons with a prospective instructor. Tracie is currently working on her Commercial license and CFI rating so she spent much of her own time and effort to help me get through my training. I have never been with more knowledgeable and motivated people in my life. You really are surrounded with positive influences while you’re there and I would highly recommend attending this flight school. I got in and out of the school in record timing thanks to all the hard work from all their flight instructors and students. The amount of money that everybody saved me is overwhelming. I can’t see anybody else going to a different flight school and having the same experience.
Thanks to everybody at the flight school for all their devotion I currently hold my private pilot’s license. I truly couldn’t have done it without them. There is not one person there that you can’t learn from. Everybody has an experience to share, and a story behind it. Much like a second family which truly anybody could rely on. They all share that same aviation sickness. It spreads like wildfire, take to the skies to truly find out what it’s about at American Winds Flight Academy.
Atul Sharma - India
Pursuing Commercial/CFI
People say that "a pilot is always prepared for the worst day ever". I believe that all the instruction given at American Winds is based on real time examples which make us not only good pilots but safe pilots. The instructors and fleet here are very promising and they help you complete the whole commercial pilot's license course in as little time as possible. The flight school is like a family. People are always there for you with helping hands and you can never feel alone. The instructors are good and scheduling flights is never really a big problem. All airplanes are maintained in good condition and abide by stringent maintenance standards set by the federal aviation administration. The school has a well structured syllabus and systematic way of teaching the ground lessons as well as flight lessons. All the doubts are attended to until they are clear.
The instructors give us a pre-flight briefing on lessons that would be practiced in the airplane. Based on our performance, we are graded. In that way, we know our progress, which helps us do better the next time we take that lesson. One word that comes to my mind when I think of American Winds is commitment! The instructors are always willing to answer the queries whether in the air or on the ground. In fact they have Q & A sessions to test our knowledge and brush up on topics we are not very confident about. Care is taken to get our flying done on a day-to-day basis apart from some inevitable circumstances.
I feel that this flying school is better than any other where you are always confused and don't know what to do. At American Winds, you are always welcomed with a smile.
Join us. Fly safe. Someone is waiting at home.
Abdul Tukur
Private Pilot
Hello my name is Abdul Tukur, and I came to American Winds from my homeland of Nigeria. I was unsure of what to expect when I came to America, but the uncertainty I had was eased by American Winds. They made me feel welcomed from day one and took me in as part of the family. The flight instructors have been great and really show a personal interest in helping me reach my goal of being a career pilot. The school's attention to detail and to my finances has been excellent.
Shai Azmy - Sri Lanka
Pursuing Commercial License
Ayubowan! I’m Shai from Sri Lanka. I am an international student at American Winds Flight Academy. I got my Private Pilot’s License from my country and came here to complete my training. I received my instrument rating in June 2009 and am currently working towards becoming a commercial pilot.
AWFA is a great place to train! I got to experience flying in different types of weather. I believe it has helped me in becoming a better pilot and also improved my confidence level. The environment at AWFA is warm and family oriented. They will help you in reaching your goal and also be there for you when you need support. I will definitely miss this place when my training is over. AWFA is my family is America!
Andrew Mason
American Winds Flight Academy is a fun, exciting and exceptional school to receive your flight training. The instructors are very knowledgeable and receptive to your learning needs. The staff is friendly, helpful and always does their best to meet your scheduling requirements. I would recommend this flight school to anyone who is looking for flight training from Private Pilot for just recreational flying to Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor training for career pilots. Come check it out.
Wilson Hobart
Chief Pilot's First Officer
My Mom takes me flying all the time. I took my first flight when I was two and a half months old. I don't remember much because she wrapped me up in my new fleece blanket. I was so warm and snuggly. . . I fell asleep. In this picture, I was on my way to the airplane for a long flight. I decided to carry my own bottle of water. My Mom has to carry my "Scooby Snacks" because I tend to eat them in one sitting.
Jeremy King
I've been with American Winds for two years and it has turned into my second home. The staff is very professional and welcomes each student into the family with open arms. They offer great one-on-one help and with the many teaching styles of the instructors, you're sure to find one that fits your personality and needs. I'd recommend this flight school to anyone trying to reach the skies above.
Chuck Bell
Working with the folks at American Winds has been a truly marvelous experience. Denise and Mike run a first-rate business. Every one of the CFIs that I've had the opportunity to fly and train with have been extremely friendly people as well as highly competent professionals. Anybody stopping by the office is always treated as a friend first and a customer second. As pleasant as all of the people are at American Winds, the single biggest factor that I point to when recommending them to others is that no matter what level one is training or flying on, the primary focus of every flight related activity is on safety. This aspect above all others most impressed me from day one and it continues to do so. Stop by the office any time and I guarantee you will immediately see what I'm talking about. American Winds is a great place to experience the fun of flying - from the ground up to any flight level.
Elbert Scott
The instructors and staff at American Winds Flight Academy are very informative, knowledgeable, and patient. I made the correct decision by choosing American Winds.