MURFREESBORO, Tennessee —Murfreesboro Aviation reports that Tom Tippin, son of country music legend Aaron Tippin, has passed his checkride and is now a licensed private pilot.
Tom’s father Aaron, earned his Certified Flight Instructor certificate from Murfreesboro Aviation in 2014. Since that time Aaron has taught both of his sons to fly — Ted in 2013 and Tom in 2016 through 2018.
Aaron was the flight instructor for both boys up to the day they soloed. From the point of solo forward, Murfreesboro Aviation instructs them to the day they earn their private license.
“Tom is a model student and outstanding pilot,” noted Tom’s flight instructor, Senior CFI and ATP Marty Newcom. “He is knowledgeable, prepared, focused, and passionate about being a competent and safe pilot. It has been a pleasure instructing him.”
A couple summers ago, Tom’s mom would drive him to the Murfreesboro Airport after school where his dad would be waiting for him in either their Stearman open-cockpit biplane or their T-6 Texan warbird. They would fly and train as often as the weather would allow, until Tom was eventually ready to solo.
On Dec. 1, 2016, Tom turned 16 and soloed THREE aircraft, including the Stearman, the Texan, and their 1946 Piper J-3 Cub. Later that day he got his drivers license.
“We’re very proud of Tom and his accomplishments, as he continues the aviation legacy in the Tippin family,” said Jim Gardner, the owner of Murfreesboro Aviation. “We also appreciate the trust Aaron has placed in us to train his boys. They come to us with solid skills, a safety mindset, and a commitment to becoming quality pilots.”
Murfreesboro Aviation is the busiest privately-owned flight school in the state of Tennessee. In the past six years Murfreesboro Aviation has grown from a flight school to a maintenance and repair center, Cessna Authorized Service Center, avionics repair and installation facility, aircraft brokerage and acquisition services company, FAA certificated part 135 charter operator and part 145 Repair Station.
Fantastic I am so proud of you!!
Aaron’s dad ran the FBO at the Greenville downtown Airport in SC. Aaron was a lineman there as he learned to fly—and at night he sometimes entertained in the line shack by singing and playing his guitar. What a great aviation story this family lives!