Graham Aviation Services, LLC at the Salem Municipal Airport (SLE) in Oregon has received Part 141 Certification from the FAA for its Private Pilot Course.
“It has taken many months to accomplish all the elements that the FAA requires,” co-owner Jim Graham said. “But it’s worth it as we are now the only flight school in the Salem area that has achieved this certification.”
The FAA inspected and approved all aspects of Graham Aviation’s flight program, including an approved syllabus of training, the chief flight instructor, their facilities and the aircraft to be used in the training. Annual inspections will ensure that Graham Aviation maintains or exceeds these standards, Graham noted.
“One of the benefits of this certification for the private pilot is that a student pilot can qualify for their checkride in as few as 35 hours instead of the usual 40,” co-owner Gwen Graham added.
This certification opens many doors for pilots who want to fly professionally or go into the military, Jim Graham said, pointing out the school has a Diamond DA20 which is used in the Air Force initial pilot training.
With this part 141 certification, Graham Aviation is now able to work with other groups in providing pilot training that includes career retraining, GI benefits and other programs that require a certified school.
Graham Aviation Services opened for business at the Salem Airport in 2005. The Grahams bring more than 45 years of aviation experience to their family-owned flight school. As the only Diamond Flight Center in the state of Oregon, they have among their aircraft fleet the only Diamond DA40 glass cockpit airplane available for advanced training and rental.
For more information: GrahamAviation.com or 503-581-4139.
