More than an Airport! We're a Community!

I grew up with a father who was a private pilot for 25+ years so you would have thought my interest in aviation would have blossomed early on . . . but that’s not the case. My interest (and belief) that I could actually become a pilot didn’t take place until a chance encounter with one of Hampton Airfield’s Instructors at my place of business. The black Hampton Airfield FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR jacket he wore that day sparked conversation and from there my first intro-to-flight lesson. I then formed a goal to get my license in 36 months, figuring career, personal life, finances and life in general would occasionally get in my way of a license (and weather, too J).

Well, 37 months later the goal became reality. What really helped in this achievement is what is unique to Hampton – passion & love for aviation and encouragement to new enthusiasts. I never felt intimidated during my education at Hampton, only encouraged. When life threw in those delays to my goal, Hampton Airfield FBO and Instructors understood and patiently awaited my return to the skies. Kindly, they would occasionally reach out to make sure everything was okay – but never pressured – only inquired with sincerity.  You find you’ve become a part of their community and it’s a genuinely comforting feeling. Achieving this personal goal of private pilot is without doubt one of the finest achievements I my life.  If you have the slightest interest in aviation, pay a visit to Hampton Airfield – it will change your life for the better!

I got interested in flying a few years ago. I visited a handful of local flying schools and ultimately decided on Hampton Airfield. What sets Hampton apart from the others? Community. It didn’t take long for me to feel like I belonged there. The atmosphere is so comfortable, regardless of your level of experience. I loved having an instructor who knew how to make learning fun but serious. I always felt like I was progressing like I should in my training. My instructor challenged me and made me a better pilot.

I’ve been in love with flying since a friend took me up for my first flight in a small plane when I was still in high school. Unlike him, I didn’t get my private pilot’s license at 17. Over the years since then I’ve taken my boys and nephews up for intro flights, and have always dreamed of learning to fly. Thanks to a visit one day to the Airfield Cafe, I finally decided to inquire about lessons and was promptly paired up with my flight instructor Bill Rose, a.k.a. Captain Blackcloud. My first lesson was in one of Hampton Airfield Flight School’s Piper J3’s. I quickly learned from my exceedingly patient instructor that gentle inputs to the controls would result in a much straighter departure down the runway. Eventually, after I soloed in the Piper J3, I transitioned to the flight school’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk and learned about flaps and radio communications, things the J3 didn’t have. Much to my amazement, (I’m a slow learner!), I eventually took and passed my private pilot exam and check ride and earned my private pilot’s license. It’s been a fantastic journey and I have made so many new friendships with the great people who work at Hampton Airfield, student pilots, and more recently, fellow graduates from Hampton Airfield’s ground school, who, like me are now private pilots. What’s next? IFR training – at Hampton Airfield of course!