My own path into aviation almost ended before it began. I learned to fly at a local flight school where the instructors were mostly there to log time before moving on to better-paying jobs. Running a business at the same time, I couldn't get the consistency I needed, and I very nearly walked away from flying for good.
What saved it was a mentor — a business associate and Naval Aviator who'd flown in combat in Vietnam. He took me under his wing, guided me through my training, and convinced me to buy my own aircraft. That relationship changed everything.
I promised myself that as soon as I could afford to, I'd earn my instructor's rating and teach the way I wished I'd been taught. I've held a flight instructor certificate since 1988, and I've spent the decades since making sure no student of mine ever feels the way I did at that first school.
I'm Michael Leighton, a 3-time Master CFI with an in-depth training approach designed to elevate your journey in aviation. Born out of a personal struggle with traditional flight school training, I've used my 40+ years of experience to transform those early challenges into a more personalized, comprehensive kind of flight training — built around you.
I'm dedicated to preparing you not only for your certifications, but for confidently navigating real-world aviation challenges. With over 10,000 hours of dual given, I've instructed in everything from a Piper Cub to a Citation jet. Instruction is available in my plane or yours, in any location, at any time.
If you want personalized, accelerated flight training, you're in the right place.