BEFC-STL

Student Pilot Success

The Boeing Employees Flying Club was founded to promote safe and affordable flying. Student pilots are an integral part of our club.

The following pilots have transitioned from student pilot to private pilot, while piloting Boeing Employees Flying Club aircraft.

Douglas Funderburk- First Solo - 26-SEP-14

ÒMajor bucket list item accomplished! My life-long dream of flying partially realized by soloing on September 26th, 2014 thanks to the BEFC-StL and my CFI, Dave Pogorzelski."

Vince Irizarry - Private Pilot - 16-SEP-07

ÒI have wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. After working at Boeing for several years and continually thinking about getting my PilotÕs license, I finally decided to go for it. I took a couple preliminary lessons at St. Charles and Skyline, but was deterred from continuing at either of these places due to the cost and the condition of the facilities. Then I learned of the Boeing EmployeesÕ Flight Club and realized what a perfect fit it would be. I started taking lessons with a CFI recommended by the BEFC. My first flight was in September 2006, and on September 16th 2007 I passed my check ride! It was a challenging and exciting year, culminating in one of the proudest accomplishments of my life to date. I am happy to be a member of the BEFC which has many benefits, including reduced flying costs, partial ownership of two planes, and the invaluable knowledge base that comes with a club full of pilots! I would highly recommend BEFC membership to any Boeing employee interested in flying.Ó , Vince Irizarry

Steve Silo - Private Pilot - 14-SEP-07

ÒI started flying back in 1985. For a number of reasons at that time, I quit until Nov 2006. Several events convinced me to take flying back up again, and this time, finish. First the nagging feeling in my mind that I hadn't completed something I'd started. Second the Boeing Learning Together Program offers financial incentives for both solo and earning of the Private Pilot Certificate. The Learning Together Program also offers Private Pilot Ground School, through the Voluntary Improvement Program, as well as Jeppesen Private Pilot training materials (CDs/Tapes, etc). Third, the Boeing Employees Flying Club (BEFC) formed, offering a chance to be part owner of an aircraft (now two aircraft!) at a reasonable cost. Fourth, The BEFC has a list of approved instructors, one of them who I had met on a Ski Club trip, and remembered that his private pilot flight instructor was my original flight instructor (it really is a small world!). All of these elements combined indicated only one thing - I needed to get back into the air and finish what I had started. On 14 Sept 2007, I passed the private pilot check ride, and the feeling is definitely one of accomplishment.Ó, Steve Silo

Kip McCullen - Private Pilot - 24-DEC-06

Ò Being a member of the Boeing Employees Flying Club (BEFC) has enabled me to achieve a long sought after goal of becoming a Private Pilot, something I had always wanted to do but somehow never had the time to accomplish. In October of 2005 I joined the BEFC, same week I started Private Pilot Ground School under the Boeing off hours learning program. In November I started flight training and In January I was the first student to Solo in the clubs first aircraft a Cessna 172 (N7766G). The BEFC now has two aircraft and a long list of recommended flight instructors; this allowed me to develop my pilot skills at a reasonable cost and a flexible pace that fit well with my work and home schedules. Being a member of the club has had other benefits. I have learned a lot from conversations with other club members when participating in club activities and I have especially enjoyed the experience gained from hands on work during scheduled maintenance and repair of the aircraft. On Christmas Eve of 2006 I completed my Private Pilot check ride, a very nice Christmas present and a nice way to start the New Year!Ó - Kip McCullen

Chris Skalka - Private Pilot - 19-DEC-06

ÒAugust 2006, eager to get my pilots license I joined Boeing Employees Flying Club (BEFC). By beginning of September 2006 I had successfully completed my first solo flight. I spent most of September, October, November learning and practicing different flight maneuvers, cross countries, and emergency procedures. By December I was ready to take my check ride, December 19, 2006 12:30pm, I successfully passed my FAA check ride. I chose BEFC for a couple of reasons, because I would be part owner of the airplane's, cheaper than the local airports, and I knew the plane would be safe to fly. This has been by far, one of the most exciting and rewarding things I have ever done.Ó - Chris Skalka

Nate Rone - Private Pilot Ð 08-JUN-06

Ò After years of aviation enthusiasm, I began ground school through Boeing Off Hours Learning. Once complete, I began my flight training in MAR05 and St. Charles Airport and then soon soloed on 06JUN05. But as any pilot will affirm, flying doesnÕt come cheap. Due to financial priorities, I set aside my logbook and headset for nearly 7 months. Upon learning that the BEFC-STL was to be formed, I was extremely excited about the possibilities it offered. In March of 2006 I joined the club and was quickly paired up with one of the instructors. Flight training resumed and my instructor quickly brought me up to speed. The clubs ability to leverage the cost of flying allowed me to fly more hours more often, building my skills, knowledge, and confidence quickly. After much preparation, I was ready to take my check-ride. On 08JUN06 almost one year to the day after I first soloed, I passed the check-ride with the clubs first Cessna 172, N7766G, and joined the ranks of a private pilot. I can, without a doubt, say that without the BEFC-STL, my PPL would have taken much longer to attain. This achievement has quite possibly been the biggest thrill of my lifetime. The ability to leave the earth behind and soar into the blue yonder offers challenges, excitement, and rewards that canÕt be matched on the ground. I strongly recommend the BEFC-STL to anyone that has ever had an aviation interest. Cheaper flying, the knowledge of the more experienced pilots, and a chance to have hands on experience with the plane that you will not only fly, but have part ownership in, are just a few of the aspects that make the BEFC-STL a great club to be in.Ó - Nate Rone