Aviation News Talk Podcast

Max talks with John Fiscus, co-founder of The Flight Academy, and Director of Operations Jordan Ming to break down how one of the country's most respected Cirrus-focused training organizations was created, expanded, and refined over more than two decades. Whether you're an instructor considering the entrepreneurial leap, a pilot curious about how flight training businesses operate, or someone fascinated by the evolution of modern GA training, this conversation delivers clear, practical insights rooted in real experience. John opens with the origin story behind The Flight Academy—one shaped unexpectedly by the aftermath of 9/11. Before starting the company, John was an instructor and corporate pilot for Cirrus Aircraft, preparing for an airline career. When airline hiring collapsed overnight, he and colleague Luke realized they could not compete with furloughed, highly experienced pilots suddenly entering the market. But they also saw a growing demand: Cirrus owners nationwide needed instructors who trul