Company History

National Aviation was founded in 1968 by William Krusen, one of the original pioneers of commercial airline aviation, at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), along with National Aviation Academy, an A&P training school. The two schools were separated in the 1970’s.

National Aviation is the oldest and most highly regarded flight training school on the West Coast of Florida, and has trained thousands of pilots since its inception. Many of these pilots have gone on to successful airline and corporate aviation careers.

Why Train at National Aviation?

Like many of us, making the decision and commitment to finally earn your Private Pilot License and beyond was an easy one. It is something you have always dreamed about, and now you are on the verge of actually doing it. Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming a pilot!

One of the most important decisions you now need to make is where to start your flight training, and why do it there. Here are a few important things to look for when choosing a flight school:

• A towered airport environment. This is very important. Most accidents that happen are at non-towered airports. At a towered airport, you are always under the watchful eye of Air Traffic Controllers and their radar equipment. They are like your guardian angels. They are your extra set of eyes and ears, helping you look out for traffic. You will use your radio more, and that increases your communications skills making you a safer pilot. Be wary of anyone who downplays the importance of a towered airport in your flight training.
• An airport that permits night operations. Part of your training involves a night cross-country flight, and several take-off and landings at night. Some airports do not permit this because of the congested neighborhoods where they are located. This makes your night training difficult to arrange. It also makes it difficult to develop superior night flying skills.
• An airport with multiple runways. Developing crosswind landing skills takes practice to master and stay current. When an airport has multiple runways you are assured of being able to land on a runway with the wind on your nose, when the wind shifts. The tower controller will change your runway, or you will be able to request it.
• An airport with long runways. There is an old pilot adage that goes something like, "You can’t have too much altitude, too much fuel, or too much runway". Try to find an airport with runways at least 4000’ for that extra margin of safety.
• A flight school that rigidly adheres to 100-hour inspections of their aircraft, and fixes the "squawks". Ask the school about how squawks are reported and dealt with. Ask to see the aircraft logbooks to see whether or not the aircraft are rigorously inspected. Maintenance should be the #1 item on their aircraft priority list.
• Aircraft that are kept neat and clean tied-down on a concrete ramp. Dirt is not an airplanes’ friend. You want a "happy" airplane to fly.
• A flight school office that is modern, clean, and conducive to learning. This is where you will learn to become a pilot. Are you comfortable there?
• A flight school staffed by professionals. Ask for a tour, and meet their staff. Does every associate you encounter have the confident demeanor of a dedicated professional? Do they look professional? Talk directly with the owner and Chief Flight Instructor. Interview a few instructors. Do they give you the impression of safety, competence, and dedication to your learning experience?
• A flight school with a professional curriculum. Is it well organized, developed by skilled professionals, such as Cessna/King or Jeppesen? Does it adhere to the high standards set by the FAA? Will it allow you to not only get your license, but train you to be a safe and competent pilot as well? Is it cost effective? Can it track your progress to assure you the maximum learning bang-for-the-buck?

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