From left to right: Skyborne Integrated ATPL trainees Ashley Reeves, Billy Payne, Georgianna Kloos and Bradley Gibbs
The first four trainee pilots have arrived at Skyborne’s new fairweather base in Vero Beach, Florida.
The four cadets – three men and one women – are on Skyborne’s Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) course at Gloucestershire Airport in the UK. They are: Ashley Reeves, Billy Payne, Georgianna Kloos and Bradley Gibbs.
Over the next 25 weeks they will complete their single-engine flying training in Skyborne’s fleet of Piper Warrior aircraft.
One of the trainees, Bradley Gibbs, said, “Adapting to working in the Florida heat has been a challenge, but the first week of briefs with our instructors has given real insight into some of the differences between flying in the UK and the US. It has also been great to spend our days off going to the beach!
“It’s clear there is big investment ongoing at Skyborne Airline Academy Vero Beach, and we are looking forward to beginning our navigation and cross country flying to see more of what the state has to offer.”
It’s easy to see why Skyborne opened its airline academy at Vero Beach. The on-airport site offers 320 flying days every year in the Florida skies.
It’s located on a 30-acre site between Orlando and West Palm Beach, minutes from the Space Coast and situated within reach of 137 airports state-wide. With over 200 recently renovated bedrooms, a swimming pool, soccer field, volleyball court, cafes and bookshops, trainees enjoy a full campus experience.
Skyborne is holding an open day on 24 July at its Gloucestershire Airport HQ for would-be cadet pilots. Book a place here.
*With apologies to Robin Williams in ‘Good Morning Vietnam!’
