Small white airplane parked on a grassy airfield with trees and buildings in the distance, under a partly cloudy sky.

My Services

Whether you're pursuing your Private Pilot Certificate, earning an Instrument or Commercial Rating, preparing for a CFI Check-Ride, or simply staying proficient, I provide personalized flight instruction designed to help pilots at every stage of their aviation journey. Based in Houston Texas.

Private

Line drawing of a small airplane flying above the clouds in the sky.

The Private Pilot License (PPL) is where we all start it's your first step into the aviation community. Whether your goal is to fly for a major airline, take cross country trips with family and friends, or just enjoy local sightseeing flights on nice afternoons, this is where it begins.

Steps to Earn a Private Pilot License

  1. Get an FAA medical certificate

  2. Complete ground and flight training with a certificated instructor.

  3. Log the required flight hours, including Instruction, solo and cross-country time.

  4. Pass the FAA Private Pilot knowledge (written) exam.

  5. Pass a practical exam (check ride) with an FAA examiner, demonstrating your flying skills and aeronautical knowledge.

Instrument

Line drawing of an airline cockpit instrument panel with a central aircraft symbol and two gauges on either side.

I'm currently working on adding instrument instruction to what I offer, building the experience and credentials to teach this rating. I'll update this page as soon as I'm ready to start taking instrument students.

What is an Instrument Rating?

An Instrument Rating (IR) lets a pilot fly safely in clouds, low visibility, and other conditions where you can't rely on looking outside using instruments alone to control the aircraft and navigate. It's one of the biggest jumps in precision and discipline a pilot can make, and it's a stepping stone toward commercial and airline flying.

Steps to Earn an Instrument Rating

  1. Hold at least a Private Pilot License.

  2. Log the required cross-country and instrument flight time under FAA regulations.

  3. Complete ground training covering IFR procedures, regulations, weather, and navigation.

  4. Pass the FAA Instrument Rating knowledge (written) exam.

  5. Pass a practical exam (check ride) with an FAA examiner, demonstrating instrument flying proficiency.

Commercial

Line drawing of an airplane flying.

The Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is your first step into commercial operations and the potential to fly for compensation. It's a required rating on the path to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and it's a great way to build real skill even if you plan to keep flying recreationally rather than professionally. In this rating, we focus on:

  • Developing complete mastery of the aircraft

  • Building confidence in your knowledge and decision-making

Preparing you for compensated flying, CFI, and beyond

Steps to Earn a Commercial Pilot License

  1. Hold a Private Pilot License.

  2. Log the required flight hours, including cross-country, night, and instructional time.

  3. Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot knowledge (written) exam.

  4. Pass a practical exam (check ride) with an FAA examiner, demonstrating advanced maneuvers and commercial-level flying proficiency.

Tailwheel

Line drawing of a small propeller airplane on the ground, with grass beneath its wheels.

The ultimate way to learn bare-bones stick-and-rudder flying. Without a nosewheel to keep you tracking straight, a tailwheel airplane wants to swap ends the moment you get lazy with the rudder, every takeoff and landing demands active feet and full attention. Every mistake shows up immediately, and learning to land a tailwheel will sharpen skills you can carry into any other flight deck.

Rusty Pilot/BFR

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Whether you haven't flown in 6 months or 20 years, a Rusty Pilot refresher or your standard Biannual Flight Review is the perfect way to knock the dust off and get back in the air with confidence. The FAA requires a flight review every 24 months to keep your certificate current, and this is a great opportunity to brush up on maneuvers, catch any bad habits, and get comfortable with current airspace and procedures before flying on your own again.

Spins

Many pilots are terrified of stalls because of the possibility of entering a spin. Spin avoidance and stall recovery are crucial skills, and hands-on spin training gives you real experience demonstrating stalls and recovering from them under control. New students and long-time pilots alike can use this training to build confidence and proficiency for the "worst case scenario."

I'll admit I used to be terrified of stalls for that exact reason. Going through spin training myself is what built my own confidence in demonstrating and recovering from them, and it's part of why I love sharing this training with my students.

Transitions

Line drawing of two small airplanes, one above the other, with propellers and cockpit windows.

Aircraft transitions and proficiency for pilots who want to fly different types and build experience. There's never a bad time to fly with an experienced, proficient CFI and the first time you fly a new to you airplane should definitely be one of them. Some experimental aircraft transitions are available.

Relocation

Line drawing of an airplane with a dotted path leading to a location marker.

David Wayne Hooks Airport (DWH) in Houston, TX, is my home base, and it's where most of my flying experience comes from but I'm familiar with plenty of other airports and comfortable stepping into aircraft for relocations. I've successfully completed multiple cross country ferry and relocation flights, hand-flying 1,000+ miles in a plane I'd never seen until that day. It takes experience, top notch decision making, and someone you trust to take care of your new investment.

Advice

Line drawing of a vintage rotary telephone with a handset, and an airplane flying nearby, symbolizing travel or communication.

A phone call is always free. Whether you're wondering what it takes to earn your Private Pilot Certificate, mapping out the path from PPL to CPL and eventually CFI, weighing whether to add an Instrument Rating, or just not sure where to start, I'm happy to talk it through. I'm passionate about giving back to the general aviation community and have made a lot of great connections along the way. If I can't help you, I'll do what I can to find someone who can.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in working with me, complete the form with a few details about your interest or questions and i will get back to you as soon as practicable.