“Joe is a breath of fresh air!

I’ve trained at 2 other schools while getting my VFR and it was a nightmare. From instructors only worried about logging hours so they can get their 1,500 hour requirement to apply to the airline, to planes that are literally falling apart, to no centralized programs, it took way longer than needed. Other instructors even stretched out the training on purpose to get as many hours out of each student as possible, not caring that it cost the student more money!

I switched to Joe at Pilot Flight Training Courses on recommendation from a couple of people, and I was, and continue to be, immensely impressed.

Joe has a tailored program to help you become a safe and proficient pilot. Everything has a purpose, makes sense, and helps get you to the next level. He isn’t going to the airlines, and has no intention of leaving you behind. He is there for you the entire way through.

The planes available are in tip-top shape. One is even full glass cockpit with autopilot! This allows you to learn on the latest technology and become comfortable with the latest and greatest in tools available to you.

You’d think all of this would cost way more, but it doesn’t. Joe is fair and charges a fair price.

All in all, I’ve fallen in love with flying again! The lessons are enjoyable, knowledge-packed, and teach you to be a better pilot every day. Be smart, go with Joe!.“

“My name is Gail LaPook and I am a designated pilot examiner in the Chicago area. I have tested many of Joe Standley’s students over the years. I know that when I get one of his people that I am going to see an applicant that has been well taught and well prepared for his encounter with me. He is a really good, detail oriented instructor and gives his students the benefits of his years of experience. He has always called me to get a de-brief of his student’s performance and asks me if there are things he is not covering completely. Usually, my de-brief is a very positive one as I feel Joe takes his job as a flight instructor seriously unlike other instructors that teach at the surface level and short change their students. I have no reservations about praising Joe as a good choice for a flight instructor .“

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Joe Standley as a professional pilot/flight instructor for more than 20 years.  During my years as an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector and a Designated Pilot Examiner, I have enjoyed evaluating many of Joe’s students for their pilot certificates and ratings. I consistently found Joe’s applicants to be well trained to a correlative level and able to operate safely and knowledgeably within the National Airspace System.

Joe relied upon his experience with the corporate and 135 on-demand charter arenas to educate his students thoroughly and well beyond the minimums required by the appropriate Practical Test Standards.  It was without doubt a pleasure to issue a pilot certificate or additional rating to his trainees.  Because of his commitment to excellence and high training standards, Joe’s applicants were well prepared and enjoyed an above average pass rate.

I feel that choosing Joe Standley as your flight instructor would be a prudent decision.”

“Joe helped me get my instrument rating! Best flight instructor I have ever worked with. Joe provided a great structured curriculum and was always available to answer any questions I had. Joe provides a more personal experience that you just don’t find at other schools. All around great experience and highly recommend.“

“Even though there are flight schools closer to where I live, it was definitely worth going extra distance to train with Joe. Joe is a very dedicated teacher, tough where he needs to be, never letting you settle for less than perfect. He wants you to progress in your training and pass your check ride on the first try. Training is very structured. Joe has developed his own comprehensive training curriculum, complete with his own video training, all available to his students at no extra cost. Videos are excellent, easy to understand explanations of the material for the entire course. Joe is also very flexible and accommodating as far as scheduling of lessons. Joe has a passion for flying, loves to teach, and has a heart to care about getting you through the finish line. Thanks Joe!”

“Anyone who is trying to go from zero to a commercial pilot’s license learns a few things very quickly: training is expensive, time-consuming, and extremely dependent on weather, and instructor availability. I came to Joe as a private pilot who was both frustrated with these facts of flight training and daunted by the idea of getting my instrument rating. His 10 Day Accelerated IFR Program peaked my interest because it cut out the need to compete with other students—he worked exclusively with me for the duration of the program for 8+ hours a day to ensure that the ambitious goal of 40 hours of flight, ground school, and preparation for the check ride were all achieved within the 10 day time frame. Honestly, when I signed up, I had no idea what I was in for, but I was not disappointed.

Before even starting the program, I knew Joe meant business. He provided extensive materials to prepare for the course so that we could maximize our time together. Throughout the experience, his expectations were high. He pushed me to perfection both in the air and on the ground so that I was confident going into my check ride. Flying instrument is incredibly disorienting, but Joe was patient and calm in situations when I was the exact opposite. He is incredibly effective in guiding students through common pitfalls and hazards while in flight. There were many, many times that I doubted in my own abilities, but not once did I doubt my decision in choosing Joe.

Regarding the length of the program, I will not lie. The days were long, but 10 days is almost an insane amount of time to accomplish everything we accomplished. Learning so much material and doing thousands of things at once in the air, I felt a bit like a zombie for parts of the course. That being said, I saw great benefit in being totally immersed in this new skill instead of going the normal route: scheduling 40 hours, hour by hour, and having to take time to re-acclimate myself to flying instrument each time. Having Joe available to me for those 10 days and walking away with an instrument rating was an absolutely incredible feeling. It was made possible by his discipline and high standards, his skills as an instructor, and the energy and detail he put into preparation material.

Joe’s 10 Day Accelerated IFR Program gets my highest recommendation.

“I came to Joe with the goal of getting my Private Pilot License in three months. I knew that if I wanted to complete my training at this pace, then I would need an instructor just as dedicated as I planned to be. Joe exceeded my expectations. He made himself extremely available to fly, and was quick to respond over the phone if I had any questions.

Joe has a great balance of making flight training fun, while also staying professional. He challenged me and got the best out of me during every lesson. If it wasn’t for Joe, meeting my goal might not have been possible.“

“I came to Joe looking to get my instrument rating. He not only got me there but progressed my flying more than I thought was possible during an instrument rating course. I felt enormously prepared and confident going into my checkride and I passed with ease. The FAA examiner said it was one of the best checkrides she had seen in a couple years. And all I did was fly the way Joe had taught me to fly. Joe stands out above other instructors I’ve had because no matter your experience level, he will get you to where you need to be. He demands a lot, but that’s because he knows what you need to do to get better. He motivates you to study hard and sets expectations for your ground training and your flights. He emphasizes precision and will teach you to be consistent, which is the biggest hurdle for a new instrument pilot. Joe teaches the control and performance method of instrument flying and I was amazed by how quickly my airmanship developed. His approach is to fly as much as possible and maintain proficiency. This is essential to doing well on a checkride. During my training, all my time was in the plane, not in a sim, and we flew in IMC as much as possible. Although even when VFR, my training was just as good. He uses products like ForeFlight to increase SA and make the training as real and accurate as possible. It was reassuring knowing Joe wouldn’t send me to the checkride unless I was more than ready. I was definitely ready and he also got me there in a minimum amount of hours. Joe instilled a new level of discipline in my flying and I am grateful for that type of instruction. I did very well in military pilot training, and I attribute a lot of that to what I learned from Joe. He is a phenomenal instructor and I would recommend Joe to anyone who is serious about taking their flying to the next level!“

“I was introduced to Joe Standley by multiple references from former and current students. The statement that convinced me to select Joe as my instructor was “if you want your check ride to go smoothly learn from Joe.” After completing my desired rating, I have to agree completely.

In addition to a mastery of the skills and knowledge required for the rating you are seeking instruction for, Joe has the experience of many years of instruction. He knows where students are likely to struggle, and what skills are difficult to master. He has several approaches to teaching the same concepts and skills. When I was struggling he was always able to present the concept in another way.

Joe instructed, and expected me to strive for a set performance goal, (such as maintaining altitude, touchdown location or holding banks). He pushes you to develop your skills beyond the tolerance allowed for a check ride. It is hard not to hear his coaching in my ear, encouraging me to improve, when I am up for an enjoyable flight alone.   Now I find that the challenges he presented continue to make me a better pilot. As we all know we are constantly improving and learning with each flight. Joe’s instruction taught me to value those experiences and continue to grow in skill.”

Lindy Rucks

“Joe is an extremely dedicated flight instructor with a real interest in making you the best pilot you can be. His emphasis on flight safety along with a thorough understanding of all aspects of the flight are unparalleled. With his ability to tailor instruction to individual needs, breaking down complex concepts into chewable chunks, Joe accelerates the learning process to expedite training without cutting corners”

Jeff Duszynski

“Joe is a fantastic instructor!  He is very dedicated to his role and his students.  I’m convinced his success is largely based on his love of the job, and it shows in the results. 

I found his instruction to be both fun and challenging.  He is patient with students and is capable of helping students get through challenging topics by presenting the material in several different ways.  Joe also has some unique ways to teach & simplify subjects, and present them in a logical manner.  After I completed training with Joe, the check ride was a breeze.  I also felt well prepared to go out and use my rating.”

Dale Randol

“I first met Joe a few weeks into my PPL training when we ran into each other at a fly-in breakfast restaurant. I made a mental note to remember Joe because he was sharp, friendly, and focused. By that time, I was already working with another CFI and I continued down that path for many flight hours. When time came to prepare for my checkride, I realized that I was woefully unprepared. My first attempt at the PPL oral exam was a disaster and I knew that I had no chance on the flight portion. That is what can happen when you don’t spend time selecting the right instructor.

I reached out to Joe and he agreed to work with me to help re-train me to prepare for the checkride flight while I prepared for the oral test on my own. On the first simulated checkride with Joe, I failed every single one of the procedures. I was dangerous with a real lack of knowledge. Joe helped me understand my shortcomings in a professional way and even though I was very embarrassed, I knew I could work with him and that he would get me prepared. Over the next few weeks, Joe taught me to fly. This time, the right way. He coached, gave firm and clear corrections when needed and he kept me motivated. It was a tough few weeks but in time, I developed confidence. I knew exactly what was expected of me and I strove to reach those goals of perfection.

When Joe said I was ready, I began to fly solo again and I prepared for the checkride. By the time the exam day came, I was very confident. I knew what to do and I knew I could do it. I often thought of Joe because he taught me so many tricks to make procedures and techniques easier. With the confidence that Joe gave me, flying became a joy and I looked forward to flying with the DPE.

I passed the checkride with NO problems…. all thanks to Joe.

Now, I’m just beginning my real path to becoming a pilot but I feel so lucky to have run into him that winter morning over breakfast. My only regret with my flight training so far is that I didn’t go with Joe to start. He’s an excellent instructor. He will train you and he will make you a safe pilot. Talk to several instructors and I’ll guarantee that you will find that Joe is one of the best.”

Michael Richardson