Reid Vossler took his first solo flight in October 2023, shortly after beginning his second year at SAFA, and his solo cross-country in April 2024. The solo flight is a regular circuit around Medicine Hat Airport while the solo cross country is where the student flies to an airport(s) other than Medicine Hat. Reid’s solo cross-country flight flew to Lethbridge then Foremost before returning to Medicine Hat with landing and departure at all three airports.
“All the instructors at Super T are great, they’ve taught me how to navigate, the map work needed along with the art of flying an aircraft, there is no other feeling like it. I feel like this program has prepared me for what I will do next. This program has been an amazing experience for me, there aren’t many who get to fly a plane while in high school. I’ve been told many times how fortunate I am to be able to get my license out of high school and this is setting me up for my career path as I want to fly for AHS (Alberta Health Services) when I’m older.”
In her second year at SAFA, Keira MacDonald was focusing on instrument flying, where the student wears a visor so they are unable to visually fly and must use their instruments. This exercise is teaching her how to fly in cloud cover. While she has found the experience disorienting, she appreciated how practicing on the simulator, where the user gets to choose the weather system, helped prepare her for her instrument-only flying time.
“You need to do lots of preparations beforehand for every flight, it motivates me to keep on top of my homework. Back in middle school, I was not one to do my homework, but this (program) doesn’t give you the opportunity to procrastinate and really keeps you on top of your game. It’s a great program, the first flight I ever had was amazing. It was so fun; I’d never been in a little Cessna before and it’s one of the best experiences.”
Eric Stock graduated from SAFA in 2023 and is currently working towards his commercial pilot’s license with Super T Aviation and plans to get his instructor rating after. As Stock was a student athlete, along with being enrolled in the Flight Academy, it was important for him to remain focused and not fall behind in his schoolwork or flight training. Stock earned his private pilot’s license during the summer after graduating from Eagle Butte High School as finding the time to get all the flight hours required was challenging with the demands of his core subjects and extracurricular activities. SAFA students are encouraged to fly during the summer months as it allows the opportunity to get plenty of flight hours in while school is out of session. If students take advantage of the summer to fly, they will be on schedule to compete their first solo flight and solo cross-country before the summer is over or early into the next academic year. Preparation for a flight is equally important as flying itself. Mapping out the route, determining check-in points, verifying air speeds and direction at the altitude one will be flying and completing required checklists.
"The South Alberta Flight Academy was the crucial steppingstone that propelled me towards my future career. Their expert training and unwavering support equipped me with the skills and confidence needed to soar in the aviation industry."
Logan Neubauer Watch the video as former student, now Super T Flight Instructor, Logan Neubauer shares his experiences and job opportunities following graduation from the SAFA program.
