Van Fleet opens local flight school

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

The Burke County Chamber of Commerce recognizes Van Fleet Aviation with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Foothills Regional Airport on March 4.

By: Staff reports | Morganton News Herald
Published: March 11, 2009

A Morganton woman has opened a flight school and photo flight business at the Morganton Lenoir Foothills Regional Airport.
Susan Van Fleet said she views her adventure, Van Fleet Aviation, as a chance to pass "the gift of flight on to others."
Van Fleet has been instructing since 1986 and also flew for the University of Georgia. She has owned and operated her own flight school since 2002 and moved her business to Morganton because of the local scenic beauty, the climate, the people, the professional, well planned airport and to live in the area where she has based her seaplane since October of 2008.
Van Fleet's flight experience includes more than 6,500 hours flying of which 3,500 hours were instructing.
Primary instruction is done in the Cessna 172s and the Piper PA12 aircraft.
She also offers photo flights over the local foothills area. These are especially popular during the spring and fall seasons.
The Foothills Regional Airport, formerly known as the Morganton Lenoir Airport, is a complete transportation system with full service that can serve most types of aircraft. The airport is sponsored by the cities of Lenoir and Morganton and by Caldwell and Burke counties.
The airport is for civilian, corporate and military aircraft and is surrounded by an 800 acre industrial park.
Last week military Blackhawk helicopters were at the airport for several days doing high altitude training in preparation for Afghanistan.
Also last week, Susan Parson, the editor of the FAA Magazine flew in for her mother's birthday. Parson grew up in Burke County and stated it is one of her favorite airports.
The airport is open for tours and children, and those seeking a career change and are interested in learning about the many careers in aviation, are welcome.
Aviation career opportunities include air traffic control, weather briefer, flight attendants, aeronautical engineering, aircraft maintenance and the many associated needs for the air transport system.
Another new resident to Burke County is Jim Rooney, a navy test pilot, who has been involved with Angel Flight, volunteering his time and aircraft to fly patients in need to various medical centers.
Van Fleet also is a registered nurse and has a daughter in college. She has lived most of her life in the Southeast. Contact her at 413-3636 or www.vfaviation.com.

Van Fleet opens local flight school

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