Student pilot with Grow Aviation, (Courtesy)
HASTINGS — Hastings-area residents looking to learn to fly an airplane can now do so through a flight instructor firm from Aurora.
Grow Aviation LLC has offered flight instruction in Hastings since Hastings City Council members approved the two-year contract during the March 9 council meeting.
Grow Aviation has three flight instructors who can provide private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine and Certified Flight Instructor training.
“They have a very nice pilot training company there and they would like to expand to Hastings,” Matt Kuhr, Manager for the Hastings Municipal Airport, said during the March 9 council meeting. “So, they will be providing all of the flight instruction that goes on here.”
He said Grow Aviation was interested in coming to Hastings because of growth at the airport.
“This is a really nice deal for us,” Kuhr said. “In the past we’ve had an airplane for rent and a few flight instructors in the area that offered (flight instructions). Now they actually have a program that they can get their pilot licenses through, professionally.”
Grow Aviation owner Keal Bockelman said he is excited to expand operations to the Hastings Municipal Airport.
“This partnership benefits both parties, as we share a common goal of increasing flight training activity in the Hastings area,” he said.
More flight training will lead to a greater number of certified pilots in the region, which will drive higher airport utilization for years to come. Bockelman said Hastings Municipal Airport is an ideal location for flight training, offering two runways, on-site maintenance, and dedicated classroom space for instruction.
“We have had a very positive experience working with the City of Hastings to bring reliable and affordable flight training to the community,” he said. “We look forward to meeting members of the community and surrounding area at future airport events.”
Anyone interested in the pilot training program can contact the airport’s fixed-based operator, Hastings Air LLC at (402) 303-6400 for more information.
