I started at Central Air Southwest in the summer of 2023. As a family owned company, I felt like
I fit right in as they welcomed me to their training center in Kansas City. As a former flight
instructor, I felt the training provided was very thorough and I was provided with all of the
resources necessary to be a safe and competent PIC.
The Aero Commander 500B is an honest airplane that you really fly as opposed to letting
the autopilot fly. It’s reliable, well maintained, and the maneuverability makes it flexible enough to
get into shorter runways. Unlike my former flight instruction job where I’d have to regularly
cancel flights for weather, at a part 135 we must find creative ways to still get the job done
regardless of weather. I became efficient at professionally maneuvering around thunderstorms,
icing, and making proper diversion decisions when needed while still completing missions. As
a CASW pilot, you will do most of the planning and make most of the decisions. The days will
be long and sometimes difficult, but you will be treated like a true aviator.
After almost a year, I moved on to become an airline pilot for a part 121 carrier. Thanks to my
experience flying solo multi-engine for almost a year, my currency and proficiency made
simulator training at the airlines feel like a breeze. My experience at CASW was invaluable and
I’m grateful for what this company has done for my personal and professional growth.
-Kelly P.