Demand Spurs Flight School Expansion To Phoenix-Mesa

The Texas-based Thrust Flight, noted for its Zero Time To Airline program, announced the opening of its 4th and newest flight training facility at Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, just outside of Phoenix, Arizona, in response to a swelling demand for professional pilots in the Southwest.

This is Thrust Flight’s first location outside of Texas, bringing its proven model of accelerated professional pilot training into one of the most aviation-friendly areas of the country.

Classes are set to begin for the school’s first cohort on August 25.

Thrust Flight’s Zero Time to Airline curriculum is an FAA-approved accelerated Part 141 training program designed to take students from no flight experience to the certified flight instructor level in as short a period as nine months. By accumulating additional flight time through instructing, graduates can meet airline minimums in a little over a year.

Patrick Arnzen, CEO and Founder of Thrust Flight said, “Opening a campus in the Phoenix area allows us to continue to address the aviation industry’s growing demand for qualified pilots. Our goal is to empower students to launch long-term aviation careers without wasting time or resources. With expanding Thrust Flight into Arizona, we're strategically positioned to develop the next generation of pilots and meet critical industry needs.”

What sets Thrust Flight apart from most other flight schools and benefits pilot trainees is the school’s FAA Examining Authority. This is a special approval granted to some flight schools operating Part 141 training programs that permits the school to conduct the final checkride for student certificates and ratings without the need for an FAA DPE.

This applies to the school’s end-of-course evaluation, treating it exactly as an official FAA checkride. The Examining Authority enables students to avoid lengthy wait times for DPEs, accelerating their progression through certificates and ratings.

Only a small fraction, about 6.5%, of all Part 141 flight schools hold Examining Authority.

Arnzen said, “Thrust Flight’s program was designed with real people in mind, like mid-career transitioners, college alternatives and those who can’t afford to sit on long waitlists. We give our students structure, support and clear expectations so they can succeed in not just training, but also throughout their fulfilling aviation careers.”

FMI:  www.thrustflight.com/