News

LeMay Aero Club offers flight lessons to Team Offutt

  • Published
  • By Charles J. Haymond
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

The LeMay Aero Club and Flight Training Center, formally known as the SAC Aero Club, was the first flying club in the Armed Forces. The club provides low cost flight training for Team Offutt.

The center has multiple Federal Aviation Administration certified flight instructors available to assist the members obtaining their certifications. After completing the examinations and becoming certified the new pilots are qualified to rent planes from us to travel anywhere in the lower 48 states with friends or family, under Visual Flight Rule restrictions.

The club offers the following certifications in single engine airplanes: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument training.

The services of the LeMay Aero Club are available free of charge to active-duty, guard or reserve service members, Department of Defense civilians, Department of Homeland Security personnel, family members of these individuals and retirees. The only exemption to this rule is the family members of retirees. The standard cost per examination is around $165.00.

“We strive to keep [Aero Club member’s] costs low,” said Coleman Weidenbusch, LeMay Aero Club manager. “Our insurance program is included in the rental cost of the airplane, and is the most complete in the industry, so you don't have to buy additional renter’s insurance when you rent airplanes off-base or risk not being fully covered.”

The club bases their group ground school lessons on an FAA approved syllabus for each certification. Alternatively, individuals can do their course of study online.

“A candidate may take the ground school simultaneously with flight training,” Weidenbusch said. “In fact, we recommend they do, since it will reinforce their classroom learning.”

After the student has prepared they can be endorsed to take a written FAA test to move on to the next step which is taking an FAA oral and practical test.

“Obtaining your private pilot certification can be either your goal, or your first step to advanced pilot certifications,” said Weidenbusch. . “It opens new career opportunities within the military and beyond, and provides travel advantages for you, your friends, your family, and even your job.”

In addition to the airline transport pilot certification program offered, there are many certifications available through the Air Force Credentialing Opportunities Online program. These courses offer credentials for specific items such as individual airframes, power plant or general aviation maintenance.

“I am proud of our staff who worked relentlessly to provide eligible personnel access to multiple FAA testing opportunities,” said Lt. Col. Sherry Graham, 55th Force Support Squadron commander. “We encourage anyone with a desire to learn to fly to talk to one of our Aero Club professionals. The 55th FSS Aero Club coupled with the FAA exam testing places our Warhawk team in an elite class of their own!” For more information, contact the LeMay Aero Club at (402) 294-3385.