We started it up, lined up on 14 and Ben said give it full power and some right rudder. 1000ft later I was flying a plane, I was hooked!

Fast forward a couple months I started becoming more comfortable in the air, Ben was always there with clear instructions from the right seat, “more power, less pitch, right rudder.” Truly learning from real world experience. I was on track to my first solo flight in Whiskers when I decided to become fully vested in aviation, I bought a plane. A Beechcraft Musketeer. Switching planes mid training added some challenges but nothing Been Flyin couldn’t handle, thanks to Ben and Regan.

As my training progressed in the “Muskrat” so did my confidence in the air. On a sunny August afternoon Ben said I was ready for my first Solo. We did two laps in the pattern, Ben hopped out and I lined up on 14, full power right rudder and some questionable radio calls and I was up, solo! What an incredible experience. Three laps in the pattern went off without a hitch. What I didn’t know at the time was my training had just begun.

In preparation for the written exam, I started attending Regan’s weekly Private Pilot group ground training, every Wednesday at 6pm. She was thorough, concise and patient. We covered many aspects of becoming a private pilot, focusing heavily on the requirements of the FAR AIM, Airplane Flying Handbook, Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the aircraft’s POH. She made time for one on one training which was essential for my success. Regan is a strict instructor and expects her students to show up prepared and focused. If you put in the effort she will as well, every minute in the plane is training no time wasted.

After passing the written exam we focused on the requirements of 61.109. I was able to finish all requirements in 60 hours of flying, which is respectable and realistic for working full time and training in New England.

This team has no problem waking up early or staying up late. I have seen the sun and moon rise countless times with these two! Their dedication to the success of their students and knowledge of aviation is what made me choose Been Flyin as my flight school. My suggestion is to come down to Goodspeed and take a discovery flight it may be the best thing you’ve ever done!

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Sean