BROWNSVILLE, Texas - That “I want to be a pilot” dream some people have could become a reality right here in Brownsville, Texas.
But to achieve that, they must get a private pilot certification which Flight Academy of South Texas offers.
The nearly ten-month-old business has a variety of services to “Let your dream take a flight,” including simulators and a single engine plane used for training a prospective pilot.
The flight academy is the result of an idea envisioned by Jorge Whitley, a businessman who decided to open the academy of offer another alternative to train future pilots in this part of South Texas. His daughter Fernanda has completed the course.
Although Hunt Pan Pam Aviation offers another flying program, Whitley academy is the newest one in the entire Rio Grande Valley.
Other flight academies are in Harlingen, McAllen and Weslaco.
To become a private pilot a minimum 40 hours of flying are required.
For that, FAST has a single engine Italian-made TECNAM aircraft. A simulator is also available.
Whitley said he is in the process of acquiring several more airplanes.
One of Whitley latest ventures involves teaming up with the Brownsville, Port Isabel and Los Fresnos school districts.
“We are going to present a curriculum to introduce the program,” he said. “It will include a course on aviation mechanics.”
So far, about 40 students have been enrolled in a program which costs more than $15,000.
A student works at his or her pace but must complete the required hours of training.
“It’s an expensive endeavor,” Whitley said. “This is for becoming a private pilot.”
For a commercial pilot, the requirements are different.
Angel Sandate said he has been attending the academy and hopes to become a commercial pilot this year.
Asked what got him interested in flying, he said, “I live nearby the airport in El Naranjal Subdivision. I see airplanes going by day in and day out so I got the bug to become a pilot.”
Editor's Note: For more information about the academy please go to: Jorge@flightacademyofsouthtexas.com
