My Story

I’ve always considered myself the type of person who loves learning new things and figuring out how things work. And when I am invested in something, I like to go 100mph.

Growing up, I channeled my energy into sports and school. Baseball was my passion and I dreamed, like so many, about playing professionally. I was also on the swim team in high school, which kept me active and let me spend a lot of time with some great friends. At the same time, I had a creative side. I discovered an interest in graphic design, which led to an opportunity to work with the University of Kentucky football team during college, doing design work as a recruiting assistant. This experience gave me a taste of combining creativity with my love of sports, and I thrived in that environment.

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After college, I joined my families business, an outdoor equipment dealership, where I worked for over seven years. There, I learned the realities of running a small business—everything from customer service and management to operations and sales. It was an invaluable experience, giving me insight into the hard work and dedication it takes to keep a business running smoothly. But as time passed, I started feeling unfulfilled. I wanted something more—more freedom, more adventure, and more opportunities to explore new places. I had always loved taking long weekend trips to visit friends, and I dreamed of a career that could help me travel and see the world.

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Aviation had always intrigued me. Two of my best friends in college were pilots, and I often flew with them for fun. We’d visit local airports, grab a bite to eat, and even flew down to Florida from Kentucky for a beach trip. Those experiences left a lasting impression on me, but at the time, I didn’t think pursuing a private pilot’s license was practical for my life. That all changed when me an a couple friends were driving up to Cincinnati for the day. We started talking about a friend’s dad, who was an airline pilot. The more I heard about his lifestyle and the benefits of being a pilot, the more it resonated with me. It was then that something clicked in my mind—I think I could do this. I could actually make aviation a career.

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That night, I went home and started researching how I could change careers and become an airline pilot. I found some fantastic resources, like the Pro-Pilot Playbook and Fly with Trent YouTube videos, which showed me a path for accelerated training to follow. Their insights and advice made it all seem achievable, and I quickly became convinced that I could make the switch. The very next week, I booked a discovery flight at my local airport (KIOB), and that experience solidified everything for me. I was hooked. There was no turning back.

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With the support of my family and friends, I made a major decision: I was going to pursue aviation full-time. Within six weeks, I transitioned out of my full-time role at the family business, and during that time, I completed four FAA written exams. I didn’t waste any time once I was committed. On April 3rd, 2024, I took my first flight lesson, and from that day forward, it was a whirlwind of learning, flying, and growth. My training was intense, but I was driven. Every day, I worked to sharpen my skills and absorb everything I could about aviation. By October 9th, 2024, just six months after my first lesson, I had earned my Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) certificate.

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Aviation quickly became not just a career but a passion. It combines everything I love—learning, exploring, meeting new people, and mastering new challenges. Now, I’m dedicated to sharing that passion with others. I want to show people that becoming a pilot is not only achievable, but it can also be done faster and more affordably than they might think. Flying has given me the freedom and fulfillment I had been searching for, and I’m excited to help others experience the same. Whether it’s introducing someone to aviation for the first time or helping a seasoned pilot reach their next milestone, I believe in making flying fun, safe, and a continual learning process personalized to each person’s journey.