Redbird Migration returns

2021 Flight Training Experience Awards announced

April 1, 2022

The Redbird Migration flight training learning event returned from a two-year coronavirus pandemic hiatus to an in-person format packed with inspiration and motivation for 200 instructors, educators, and teaching professionals, with hundreds more watching online.

Ambyr Peterson, the nation’s best CFI.

The free annual event for flight training professionals was created by Redbird Flight Simulations, and has grown into what is probably the largest gathering of its kind in the country. At the closing banquet, AOPA announced the national 2021 Flight Training Experience Awards winners for best flight school and instructor.

In the Pattern in Denton, Texas, won the top award as the best overall flight school in the nation—and also was the winner in the Central Southwest Region. Meanwhile, Ambyr Peterson of Minneapolis took home the top honor as the nation’s best certificated flight instructor. She was also the Great Lakes regional winner.

aopa.org/pilot/migration2022

2021 You Can Fly Challenge a resounding success

Between June 1 and December 31, 2021, all donations to the AOPA Foundation made in support of the You Can Fly program were matched, dollar for dollar up to $2.5 million, by the Ray Foundation. AOPA members stepped up and raised more than $3.5 million for the You Can Fly program during the 2021 You Can Fly Challenge. That figure comprises nearly 4,500 unique donations to the foundation. When combined with the matching grant from the Ray Foundation, more than $6 million was raised to get—and keep—more pilots flying. “Wow. What a year. I could not be more grateful to our community than I am right now,” said Elizabeth Tennyson, senior vice president of the AOPA Foundation and You Can Fly. “We were just blown away by the incredible support and because of that, our programs to get more pilots in the skies—and safely keep them there—can continue to reach tens of thousands of current and future aviators.” The AOPA Foundation’s You Can Fly program comprises four important initiatives: High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, Flight Training, Flying Clubs, and Rusty Pilots.The You Can Fly program and the AOPA Air Safety Institute are funded by charitable donations to the AOPA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
aopafoundation.org/donate

Best Flight Schools

Central Southwest Region
In The Pattern, Denton, Texas (National winner)

Eastern Region
Air Ventures Flying School, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Great Lakes Region
Blue Skies Chicago, Illinois

Northwest Mountain Region
Ridgeline Aviation, Bozeman, Montana

Southern Region
Aviator Zone Academy Miami, Florida

Western Pacific Region
Sierra Charlie Aviation Scottsdale, Arizona

Best Flight Instructors

Great Lakes Region
Ambyr Peterson, Minneapolis (National winner)

Central Southwest Region
Steve Fairbanks, Wills Point, Texas

Eastern Region David
Strassburg, Northampton, Massachusetts

Northwest Mountain Region
Jess Padden, Bozeman, Montana

Southern Region
Matt Eichel Goldsboro, North Carolina

Western Pacific Region
Sergio Ramirez Temecula, California