The Team
David and Laura T-G
Laura and David share a love of aviation. In 2008, they trained together for their Private Pilot's licenses, and they earned them on the same day! While David worked his day job as a Systems Architect to support their family, Laura worked on furthering her aviation career by achieving her Instrument Rating, Commercial license, Advanced Ground Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor certificates, on her way to Certified Flight Instructor. Along the way, Laura and David discovered the wonderful world of Sport Flying. From their perspective, the Sport Pilot enjoys the thrills and challenge of flight without the push that comes from the road to Air Transport Pilot (though it can take there as well). They wanted flight training to be fun! So Laura switched gears and earned her Sport Pilot Airplane Instructor certificate, and David soon followed. In June of 2018, they both earned their FAA Light Sport Repairman certificates to have a better handle on the maintenance of their aircraft. They very much enjoy teaching and selling smiles:-)!
Laura and David share a love of aviation. In 2008, they trained together for their Private Pilot's licenses, and they earned them on the same day! While David worked his day job as a Systems Architect to support their family, Laura worked on furthering her aviation career by achieving her Instrument Rating, Commercial license, Advanced Ground Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor certificates, on her way to Certified Flight Instructor. Along the way, Laura and David discovered the wonderful world of Sport Flying. From their perspective, the Sport Pilot enjoys the thrills and challenge of flight without the push that comes from the road to Air Transport Pilot (though it can take there as well). They wanted flight training to be fun! So Laura switched gears and earned her Sport Pilot Airplane Instructor certificate, and David soon followed. In June of 2018, they both earned their FAA Light Sport Repairman certificates to have a better handle on the maintenance of their aircraft. They very much enjoy teaching and selling smiles:-)!
The Fleet
BushCat by SkyReach
Our 2016 little South African airplane, who we've named "Kitty", is an SLSA - a Special Light Sport Aircraft - meaning that she was factory assembled and follows the FAA requirements for certification. Because of this special certification, we can legally give flight instruction in our plane. Kitty has a 100 hp Rotax engine which is more power than she needs to lift her strong, nimble frame. That, combined with her three blade prop, make for short takeoff distance and 800 ft/min zooming climb rates. Her skin is a very light, strong and durable, hi-tech, rip-stop fabric - the same used in racing yacht sails. She has a single sprung aluminum beam for her landing gear, which makes it incredibly strong as well as comfortably flexible, and her large wheels are perfect for grass landing strips. She is a tailwheel airplane, which makes her crazy fun to fly. She offers an amazing view from the cockpit due to her plexiglass wind screen, doors (which can be on or off depending on the flight conditions), and roof. We have one of around thirty BushCats in the United States. If you are interested in purchasing a BushCat, and you certainly might be after you see how awesome they are, we can hook you up. We also service & maintain BushCats (and other Rotax-powered aircraft). Just give us a call!
Our 2016 little South African airplane, who we've named "Kitty", is an SLSA - a Special Light Sport Aircraft - meaning that she was factory assembled and follows the FAA requirements for certification. Because of this special certification, we can legally give flight instruction in our plane. Kitty has a 100 hp Rotax engine which is more power than she needs to lift her strong, nimble frame. That, combined with her three blade prop, make for short takeoff distance and 800 ft/min zooming climb rates. Her skin is a very light, strong and durable, hi-tech, rip-stop fabric - the same used in racing yacht sails. She has a single sprung aluminum beam for her landing gear, which makes it incredibly strong as well as comfortably flexible, and her large wheels are perfect for grass landing strips. She is a tailwheel airplane, which makes her crazy fun to fly. She offers an amazing view from the cockpit due to her plexiglass wind screen, doors (which can be on or off depending on the flight conditions), and roof. We have one of around thirty BushCats in the United States. If you are interested in purchasing a BushCat, and you certainly might be after you see how awesome they are, we can hook you up. We also service & maintain BushCats (and other Rotax-powered aircraft). Just give us a call!
Jabiru J250-SP
Our little 2007 Australian airplane, who we've named "Kanga", is also an SLSA - a Special Light Sport Aircraft. Kanga's 120 hp, 6 six cylinder, Jabiru 3300A engine gives her ample strength and a smooth purr. Kanga is our "hi tech" child and boasts a "glass panel" cockpit. With a Primary Flight Display, a moving map GPS, and a two axis autopilot, she meets the FAA's "technically advanced aircraft" criteria. Her prop is pitched for short takeoff with full cargo, and she is ready for cross country flights with a 110 kt cruise and 518 lb useful load. Her sleek, modern, fiberglass body makes her happy to stay in the air. She has an amazingly roomy baggage area as she shares the same airframe, wings, landing gear, and engine as her twin sister, the four-seat Jabiru J450 airplane. Kanga is our primary aircraft for our Sport Pilot training, but both aircraft are used in our training to give our students experience in both glass cockpit and "back to basics" flying. If you are interested in purchasing a Jabiru, we can hook you up. We also service & maintain Jabiru (and other Jabiru-powered) light sport aircraft. Just give us a call!
Our little 2007 Australian airplane, who we've named "Kanga", is also an SLSA - a Special Light Sport Aircraft. Kanga's 120 hp, 6 six cylinder, Jabiru 3300A engine gives her ample strength and a smooth purr. Kanga is our "hi tech" child and boasts a "glass panel" cockpit. With a Primary Flight Display, a moving map GPS, and a two axis autopilot, she meets the FAA's "technically advanced aircraft" criteria. Her prop is pitched for short takeoff with full cargo, and she is ready for cross country flights with a 110 kt cruise and 518 lb useful load. Her sleek, modern, fiberglass body makes her happy to stay in the air. She has an amazingly roomy baggage area as she shares the same airframe, wings, landing gear, and engine as her twin sister, the four-seat Jabiru J450 airplane. Kanga is our primary aircraft for our Sport Pilot training, but both aircraft are used in our training to give our students experience in both glass cockpit and "back to basics" flying. If you are interested in purchasing a Jabiru, we can hook you up. We also service & maintain Jabiru (and other Jabiru-powered) light sport aircraft. Just give us a call!
XSPEC 141 AATD Flight Simulator
Our awesome flight simulator, Kowalski, is our flightless bird. He is an Advanced Aviation Training Device and boasts ten display screens, dual controls with variable loading for realism, and eight aircraft under its FAA Letter of Authorization -- Cessna 172N, Cessna 172RG, Piper Tomahawk, Piper Arrow, Beechcraft Dutchess, Piper Aztec, Piper Seneca, and Piper Seminole. He also has several "just for fun" aircraft -- Cutlass, F22 Raptor, Mooney, Maule, and Extra 300. He has his own private "pod" in our hangar which affords a realistic, immersive experience. Kowalski is also perfect for bad weather training days, drilling landings, learning basic maneuvers, and practicing emergency procedures. His lower rental cost also helps our students gain experience for less money.
Our awesome flight simulator, Kowalski, is our flightless bird. He is an Advanced Aviation Training Device and boasts ten display screens, dual controls with variable loading for realism, and eight aircraft under its FAA Letter of Authorization -- Cessna 172N, Cessna 172RG, Piper Tomahawk, Piper Arrow, Beechcraft Dutchess, Piper Aztec, Piper Seneca, and Piper Seminole. He also has several "just for fun" aircraft -- Cutlass, F22 Raptor, Mooney, Maule, and Extra 300. He has his own private "pod" in our hangar which affords a realistic, immersive experience. Kowalski is also perfect for bad weather training days, drilling landings, learning basic maneuvers, and practicing emergency procedures. His lower rental cost also helps our students gain experience for less money.
The Airport
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Pickens County Airport, Georgia - KJZP
KJZP is located in Jasper, Georgia, which is known as the "First Mountain City" and is located 50 miles north of Atlanta. Our airport has a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and excellent service. It welcomes the public to come grab a rocking chair with "Front Porch Gang" and enjoy watching the rich variety of aircraft taking off and landing on its well-maintained runway. What makes it particularly special is the lovely grass strip they maintain for tailwheel aircraft such as ours and the many others that are based there. The airport is right next to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, so the views are beautiful. We feel so privileged to be based out of this wonderful airport and to be a part of the airport family. |
Safety First!
We are conservative pilots & instructors and always put safety first. We find the open sky infinitely safer than the confined, crowded, and close hazards of speeding cars on the ground. We only fly within the limits of our aircraft and our training & experience. We are both FAA Certified Light Sport Repairmen, and we diligently maintain our aircraft at or above FAA maintenance standards. However, NO amount of diligence, maintenance, and experience can eliminate ALL risks. We have no interest in hurting ourselves, nor our equipment, nor YOU. But please be aware that when you climb into an aircraft you will be taking a risk both on the ground and above it. Accidents happen. We work to instill in our students a healthy respect & careful management of all risks involved in flight, as well as to prepare our students for the unexpected.