Aviation Adventures is the best place to learn to fly in the Washington, DC area, bar none.  The flight instructors are highly qualified, attentive and have your best interest in mind.  Aviation Adventures also has an excellent variety of training aircraft to choose from depending on your preference.  Throughout your training, attention to safety is paramount.  Flying is a fun endeavor and when you earn your certificate, you can be assured you will be a safe, competent pilot...>Barry Graham

I did it!  Once again!  Well folks today (14 Jan 2010), on a beautiful sunny day in Virginia I had my checkride for my FAA Commercial Pilot License with David Pearce and successfully passed the test!  Yes, I am officially a Commercial Pilot and have already used the license once on a short x-country trip to "Front Royal" (KFRR) airport from Leesburg (KJYO)!  BIG thank you to my Master Monk--Raymond de Haan--who believed in me and worked hard to drill every moment and kept reminding me that much is expected from a Commercial pilot.  Every bit of detail such as "After landing checklist--Complete" was honed into my often-tired brain.  But Raymond demands the best.  Despite a less-than-perfect performance the day before due to lack of sleep and jet-lag, he did not lose his cool and encouraged me to get a good night sleep and come back fresh.  Thank you, Raymond, for your trust!  And that's how professionals are created...>Shane Tedjarati

WOW!  Aviation Adventures is a first-class operation; the people, the instruction, the planes, the care to help you take the next step in your flying goals.  I have recently gotten back into flying after 15 years of being away, and it is impossible to count the things that have changed with technology, navigation, air space, yet the great folks at Aviation Adventures helped me return with a bang and earn a new rating in th process (a Multi-Engine/Instrument in the DA-42 Twin Star).  I love the DA-42 and would recommend it to anyone wanting to explore light twins or considering a rating or refresher.  Raymond de Haan is an excellent, knowledgable and patient instructor--thanks Ray for getting me there!!...>Jim Watson

Aviation Adventures is a great organization to work with--friendly, professional staff, high-quality student pilot tuition, fantastic attention to safety, a super record of "first time" passes for new pilots and a wide range of planes to fly--the complete offering makes learning to fly with Aviaiton Adventures a truly fun experience...one I would highly recommend to anyone.  When you earn your private pilot certificate, the Aviation Adventures experience is one you will want to continue as you move on to get your instrument rating.  Aviation Adventures is "first class" in the arena of pilot training...>Chris Wilson

You want to choose a first-class school and a first-class program.  This is not the place to cut corners.  The Temple - Choosing the right school is a sacred first step--hence the analogy of the Temple.  It goes without saying that they have to be accredited and professional, but choose a school that is excited and passionate about IFR training.  You don't want just any neighborhood club that also has a token CFII who occassionally teaches instruments.  "Getting wet" is also critical.  Many schools do not get up in the air in IMC conditions even for IFR training.  As a result, you'll learn the theories and could get your license without ever having flown in the clouds or in IMC conditions.  That kind of "virginity" will get you into trouble.  If you get your ticket without ever being in real IFR weather, I highly recommend you go up with an instructor in real weather before ever attempting it for the first time on your own.  The Monks - If you've been or heard of the legendary Shaolin Temple of the Kong Fu Masters of China, you'll know that a Temple has no spirit without its Monks.  As good as a club or a school may be in its choice of planes and syllabus, without a team of world-class instructors, they will disappoint.  Everyone has their story of the relationship they built with their flight instructor on the way to the PPL.  Well, this is like getting married all over again for your IFR.  The flight instructor (or in my case the two of them!) is key to you getting a complete picture of the complex world of IFR.  You want experience, passion, flexibility, humor, serious dedication and uncanny ability to transfer knowledge.  I consider myself lucky on both fronts--the Temple and the Monks were just perfect for my Sacred Journey.  For all the reasons stated above, I chose, without hesitation Aviation Adventures at Leesburg, Virginia as my Temple and Masters Ray and Mike as my dedicated Monks.  The combination was just PERFECT!  With their very different, but complimentary styles, Mike Schwartz and Raymond de Haan worked hard to ensure no stone is left unturned and even with my demanding schedule and at times impatient enthusiasm to plunge into and ahead of the game, Mike and Ray built a great parogram, handed over lessons perfectly and brought me to where I feel confident.  Mike is your typical "stick and rudder" pilot who wants to hone your basics and ensure you are on top of your game and can get out of trouble when you need it most.  Raymond is the "systems" Master who teaches you "the way".  Working everything from automation, resource management, the weather system, ATC sparring and becoming a "whole" pilot.  Together, they are unbeatable.  Thank you guys for a great experience...>Shane Tedjarati

From beginning to end it was extremely professional.  Each instructor I flew with added important ingredients to my training.  I flew with Dave York, Bob Garity, and Ray de Haan.  Bob and I really hit it off and he took a sincere interest in my achievement.  We had a lot of fun flying together in addition to getting what I believe was some first-rate training.  I also have tremendous respect for Ray.  I think he sets a great example and he is committed to consistent and perpetual learning.  Dave was very patient with me as I worked through my mistakes and inexperience.  Additionally, the entire staff speaks in unison with regard to safety.  There was never any nodding and winking at the rules or procedures.  They prepared me well for the exam and checkride, both of which I passed with ease, and I am extremely happy with my training there.  The time I spent with these great pilots and instructors has made me a capable and confident pilot...>Ken Mikeman

Aviation Adventures made a dream come true for me.  I sampled various flight schools at different airports.  From the first step into the flight club, Ray de Haan made Aviation Adventures feel like home.  Without paying a dime, Ray took over an hour explaining the process and showing off the planes to me.  After my training began with experienced flight instructor Bob Garity, I instantly felt I was in good hands.  Bob had more flight experience than any instructor I spoke with at other schools, and boy did it show in the air.  Having two Air Force two star Generals as parents, including one with uncountable F-4 time, I felt that Bob and Aviation Adventures was a perfect fit for me.  Despite my hiatus in training because of work, Bob kept me on a parth set for success.  He stressed PTS standards and beyond, and his USAF experience rubbed off on me in the best way.  Bob literally has gone above and beyond from what I expected from any instructor.  His students are lucky to have him.  Before my check ride, I was nervous as any potential private pilot would be.  However, as I went thorough the check ride, I began to realize that Aviation Adventures had more than prepared me.  I feel that the training I received was unmatched to any flight club in the area.  I have visited many flight schools, airports, and instructors in the DC/VA/MD area.  It is clear to me that Aviation Adventures provides the best flight training, safety and maintenance of aircraft available in the area.  Not only did I receive training in superbly maintained aircraft, but my training included state of the art avionics for reasonable prices in comparison.  After my move of over sixty miles from the Leesburg Airport, I continued my training with Aviation Adventures because the trek, when compared to the quality and value received, was more than worth it.  Yours will be, too.  I hope to join the Air National Guard to pursue my career in aviation.  Whether it works out or not, I feel that my training and passion for aviation has been greatly advanced due to my time with Aviation Adventures...>Dave Fick

My first actual flight was in N46135 many years ago in 2004 when I was a sophomore in high school.  I have flown with your company for about 4 years and it will always be the place where I learned to fly and the place that taught me how to fly something as amazing as an airplane.  I now go to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and I don't mind saying that the instruction I received with you all is much better than it ever was here in Daytona.  I have since earned my instrument rating in Jacksonville, where my parents live, but no matter what or where I fly, I will always remember this place and N9089C as the first plan that I ever soloed... ›Michael O'Grady

Having used at least eight flight schools in six countries Aviation Adventures stands out for the professionalism of its instructors, the quality of its equipment and the genuine care they demonstrate for their customers.  It is the standard I use for comparison whenever I visit other flight schools...   › Jay Dehmlow

Learning to fly with Aviation Adventures was a great experience.  The professionalism and experience of the owner, office staff and Instructors made learning to fly fun and stress-free.  The company's training and safety record, combined with the various types of well equipped aircraft available, made this the perfect place to earn my private pilot certificate and now continue towards my instrument rating...   › Larry Sooby

I always wanted to learn to fly but was very nervous about it.  Right from my first lesson, the emphasis that Aviation Adventures places on safety helped put me at ease.  I was relieved to discover that teaching me to fly safely was as important to my instructor as teaching maneuvers.   Now that I have my certificate, that same dedication to safety keeps bringing me back.  When I rent a plane from Aviation Adventures I'm confident that it has been maintained properly and is as ready to fly as I am...   › Ruth Ann Sooby

For my Foreign Pilot's license conversion I searched many places and finally found Aviation Adventures at Leesburg airport in Virginia, not far from Washington Dulles airport.  And they were just fantastic.  They were responsive, offered to help with any of my conversion process and helped me do the Washington Area Flight Restricted course and get certified so I can fly in the area.  This is both mandatory and a great idea...>Shane Tedjarati

In my 30 years of GA flying I've been exposed to a lot of flight instruction - none has been as much fun or the quality as consistently high as what I've experienced at Aviation Adventures at Leesburg.  Instructors teach for quality, competency, safety and fun. Critiques are given in ways that increase learning and confidence rather than heighten doubt. AA is a great place for flying, whether for instruction or rental...   › Rob Vaughn

When I moved to the northern Virginia, I surveyed local aviation clubs. Aviation Adventures impressed me with their fleet size and selection of aircraft. I've now been flying with them for seven years and continue to be impressed with the club, the instructors and staff. I'm happy to report that they've helped me earn two ratings (instrument and commercial, both first time passes) as well as my complex and high performance endorsements...   › Keith Baldwin