Flight School Information
Interview with Alex K.– Owner and President
Alex: First of all, I would like to sincerely say "thank you" to each customer that has enrolled in Universal Air Academy. "Word-of-Mouth" is how I would put it in one word. Valuable flight training is based on one-on-one instruction. The relationship between our staff and customers, or student and instructor is important. Have you flown from the cockpit seat?
Interviewer: No.
Alex: Well, I'll take you over to one of our 172s(airplane) later, and have you sit inside. You'd be surprised by how close the instructor and the pilot sit together. What the student experiences gets passed on to a family member or a friend. That's also what brought me into aviation.
Alex: The aviation industry is unique. Especially, flight schools. We have "future pilots" walk–in through our doors as young as "6 months old!"; high school students gathering information to seek career in aviation. Customers of all ages making a dream come true. During this process, we are exposed to "good–old technology" such as simply just looking up into the sky, reading maps, taking notes with a piece of paper and pencil, or talking on a radio. We are also exposed to new high technology such as computers and internet, or Global Positioning Systems and glass-cockpits. Just hearing and seeing airplanes fly is exciting. Imagine yourself getting involved in flying. Life is about flying. It makes you feel younger! As long as there are people that want to feel "young", we'll be here.
Alex: The "value" of the training at Universal Air Academy is by far, number one. We have customers from all over the Los Angeles Area that learn how to fly with us. I recall we had one customer that lived in San Diego, which is a three hour drive from us, drive up here(Universal Air Academy) to get helicopter training because it was worth the cost.
Alex: Are you asking me if I'm going to have 5 brand new Cessna Citation Xs?
Interviewer: (laughs)
Alex: I've flown numerous airplanes. My favorite is the Citation. Through the training I have received in my aviation career, I feel the number and type of aircraft I have are just right for my business right now. We have pilots taking our training courses with our professionally trained instructors that are passing checkrides and reaching their goals in aviation.
Alex: How many airports do you think are in the Southern California?
Interviewer: I know LAX, and San Diego...
Alex: How about El Monte?
Interviewer: That's right. How can I forget El Monte!
Alex: There are more than 30 airports within 100 miles of El Monte Airport. You might not notice it, but there might be an airport very close to where you live. The aviation industry provides employment in various ways. Gas stations for aircraft, airport services, aircraft maintenance, selling parts, flight training and pilots. Our job is to provide training for both new and old pilots, so they can use their pilot certificates in the field they need it for; whether it's for professional use or for a hobby. Professionally, our graduates got hired at Skywest Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, ExpressJet, United Airlines, Egypt Air, FedEx, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Polar Air Cargo, Helinet Aviation, PHI, Papillon, Island Express, El Monte PD, LAPD and more. And every graduate is involved in the general aviation industry.
Alex: We provide "training" to become a safe pilot. Use of FAA approved flight training syllabus are our standards. Training is sometimes fun and sometimes hard. It requires a lot of studying. Pilot training also requires "being of good moral character" as stated in the Federal Aviation Regulations. We look after each pilot that trains here(Universal Air Academy). We will guide our customers to be a pilot with professional instructors and affordable training cost for everyone that dreams to FLY!
