Testimonials

Thank You TAS!  During a ride in an airplane, at Brandywine airport, the pilot let me make a turn.  I was bitten by the flying bug!  First thing Monday morning I went to TAS to inquire about flight lessons.  Ted and his staff talked me through some of the preliminary decisions and I enrolled in ground school.  They introduced me to the on-line Cessna flight school and helped me to begin my journey.  Since I have always wanted to fly, I chose to take the steps to become a Private Pilot.   On May 28th I took my first lesson with my CFI, Mike Connor.  I found Mike to be very patient, proficient as a pilot and has become a friend.  During my training, I also flew with three other TAS flight instructors and have found them all to be very friendly and helpful. Special shout out to Brian, Rick, Bill, Tammy and Ben!  After 41 hours of flight training, I flew for the first time… solo!  I can still feel the thrill of that first flight!  The first thing I thought after take-off was, “Well that went fine…  Now I have to land!!!” After 3 successful landings, I was cleared to solo!  WHAT A THRILL!  I could not believe that I could walk up to a plane, preflight the plane, start it, run it up and take off with confidence, all thanks to hard work and TAS!!

Bob Morrill – Private Pilot – 03/20/2011 

Thanks, especially, to my primary instructor, Rick Poch, who spent many hours wedged into a 152 with me and patiently endured my early ham-fisted attempts at coordinated flight. All credit to him for having faith in my abilities, even when I was far from certain of them myself! Thanks for signing me off on everything from my first solo to the checkride itself.

Thanks also to Troy and Ray for the last few hours of checkride prep, which were absolutely invaluable. I’ll never forget being allowed to get into a spin (4 times in a row!) to demonstrate how poorly coordinated I was in my stall recovery (thanks, Troy!). Nor having the controls taken from me for the first time ever – on the last flight before my checkride! Mind you, I was (unwittingly) committing the potentially fatal error of pulling back on the yoke to extend my final approach glide! Ray undoubtedly felt I was about to remodel the landscaping just ahead of runway 27….

Wayne Lorgus also deserves special mention – his checkride-oral prep was first-class and provided the direction and confidence I badly needed. Thanks for burning the midnight oil with me, Wayne (yes, it took that long).

Finally, thanks to Allison for accommodating all my scheduling needs and being especially flexible with last minute changes or requests for a plane at the drop of a hat. I took forward to many more hours flying with TAS – I plan many rentals over the coming months, then when I’m over-being “studied out” it’ll be time to get started on that instrument rating!

Thanks again to everyone at TAS

Gareth Williams

To The Staff at TAS,On October 6, 2003 I completed my PPL flight training by passing my checkride. It’s been a long process, between 9/11 and weather and my schedule, but I made it. The reason I made it is the staff at TAS. I began my training with Dave and finished up with Rick. From start to finish, I flew with or was assisted by Brian, Troy, Rob and Wayne. Everyone at TAS was helpful in the process and the program you have in place speaks for itself in the number of students who easily pass their checkride.

I think all that stems from Allison and the system that she runs. Many times she knew the status of my currencies without even having to consult the folder. Her professionalism and friendliness is key to the success of your operation, since she’s usually the first face people see when they enter TAS.

In addition to the instruction I received – which was excellent – the staff at TAS is one of the friendliest groups of people I have ever met. Always offering words of encouragement or a point of instruction to any student regardless of who the primary instructor is, TAS is truly a great learning environment for pilots.

I look forward to starting my instrument training and continuing on a long and enjoyable flying career. Once again, thanks to all of you for everything you’ve done to make me a better pilot.

Steve Mescanti

Dear Ted, Allison, Rick, Wayne and Troy:I recently received my private pilot certificate as of 8/15/03 and I would like send some thanks out to TAS.

I would first like to start with Ted. I would like to thank him for having some of the best-kept planes I have ever seen. I would also like to thank him for keeping all of the planes within an excellent price range for rent.

I would like to thank Allison for running the show and answering any questions no matter how busy she was.

Rick was my flight instructor and I would like to thank him for teaching me the fine art of flying.

I would like to thank Wayne for helping me get ready for my oral. I really felt prepared after his ground school.

Last but not least I would like to thank Troy for helping me in my final phase check out.

I really feel that TAS has some of the most knowledgeable CFI’s I have ever met.

They are also some of the friendliest people I have ever met. I felt very prepared for my check ride thanks to them. Everyone at TAS was more then willing to answer any questions or deal with any concerns I had.

I am already looking forward to next summer for renting and instrument work. I would like to thank everyone at TAS again.

Sincerely, Lucas Linderman

Dear Allison,As you know, thanks to TAS, last week I achieved my dream of becoming a pilot!

The atmosphere at TAS is great, very comfortable, and everyone is always friendly and helpful. Special thanks to my two primary instructors, Troy and Brian. Both demonstrate their passion for flying as well as their excellence as flight instructors every time they are in the right seat.

Brian Teaford did an excellent and very thorough job of taking me from my first lesson up through all the major flight skills required for the private, including spending a lot of time with me in the pattern in the dead of winter. Troy “what wind?” Gruner, took me through my second faze of training, having the confidence in me to solo me and endorse my log book for all the X countries and up through the check ride. His patience, humor, and extreme calm, are great strengths.

Hats off to the rest of the team as well; Bill, who went took me for my night x country, Rick, Ray, all do an excellent job, true professionals. I would recommend to any student to fly with all the CFIs at TAS, everyone brings something different to the table. And of course Allison, always helpful with scheduling, always finding me an available instructor whatever time constraints I threw her way. She does an excellent job making sure TAS is a smooth running operation.

My first log book entry is 8/17/02. Check ride 9/12/03. A little behind schedule thanks to mother nature (and maybe the occasional learning block on my part), but what a great ride! I’ll be back for my instrument rating.

Thank you all. Dave

Dear Allison,As you know, I successfully completed my PPL check-ride last week so now I’m a real PILOT! What a thrill this has been!

The purpose of this letter is to let you know how pleased I’ve been with you all at TAS and how much help you’ve been in my quest. Kudos to Troy, my principal flight instructor, for his patience, relaxed attitude and encouragement, especially in the months before I finally soloed, when I was struggling with my landings. It has been a real pleasure to fly and learn with him over the past year. It was equally good to fly with Brian and Rick as they both were very helpful and easy to learn from. I feel I learned a lot from each of them.

Since each instructor brings different experiences and different perspective to the learning and the flying, I strongly encourage all your students to fly with as many different instructors as possible, especially after they have learned the basic flying skills. It is interesting, and not surprising, I guess, that there are many ways to “skin the cat” and what’s most comfortable for one person isn’t necessarily what’s best for another. When I look at my training over the past fifteen months, I find I have flown with seven different instructors, including two in California, one in Manassas, V A, one in Tatenhill, UK and of course, most of my hours with Troy, Rick and Brian at Brandywine.

While I only spent a couple of hours with Wayne in ground-school prior to my check-ride, he deserves kudo’s as well for his excellent review, his thoroughness and very helpful explanations. My time with him was very productive.

What else can I say? You and the team at TAS were very friendly, professional and always willing to be helpful. Thanks, Allison, Troy, Brian, Rick and the entire TAS team!

Very truly yours,

Fred Thompson

I recently passed my Private Pilot check ride after eight years of off and on training and a lifetime of desire. Getting my ticket was one of my lifelong goals that kept slipping out of my reach until I found TAS Flight School.I started and stalled my training at two other schools before TAS was able to help me finally accomplish my dream.

Your instructors are knowledgeable and patient, exacting without being demeaning and seem to really love what they do.

Your equipment is always maintained in good repair and available when promised. You have sufficient inventory to handle the needs of your customers without having to schedule weeks or months in advance. All of these factors are a testament to your management of the school.

I would like to particularly thank Troy Gruner who was my primary instructor as well as Ray Tackett. Troy has the patience of a saint. Without him, I would probably still be a student. Both Troy and Ray fly and instruct with a passion for flying that shows in their work.

I feel fortunate to have been associated with such fine gentlemen and such an outstanding school.

When I am ready to pursue additional certifications, I will definitely return to TAS to secure my training.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Z. Bisazza

Hello Allison,I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed my private pilot training at TAS.

Everyone at the school has been extremely friendly and helpful along the road to my PPL.

I owe many thanks especially to Rick. His experience as a pilot and as an instructor was evident during every lesson. Even now that I have earned my license, he continues to be helpful as I venture out into new aircraft and new destinations. If he can teach me to fly in 43 hours, he can probably teach just about anyone

I would be remiss if I didn’t also congratulate you on the excellent job you do running the school itself. I never had a single scheduling problem. The planes were always fueled and ready to go come lesson time. I especially liked the fact that I could handle all aspects of my ground schooling on site at T AS, in addition to the air work. Having an on site testing center for the FAA written exams was particularly convenient.

Thanks again, but definitely not goodbye! I’ll be back to take advantage of that fleet of aircraft you have (I look particularly good in N991TB!) and, someday soon, to start working on that instrument ticket!

Matt Heere PPL since 1/28/2003

Dear Allison, Troy, Dave, And Wayne:I want to thank you all for helping me achieve my dream of becoming a private pilot.

The training at TAS was professional, yet very relaxed and enjoyable also. The entire staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, with everyone taking an interest in my progress.

I would, again, like to thank Troy Gruner who worked so hard with me throughout my training. He was always extremely patient and encouraging especially through all of the reasons I found to NOT take my checkride !

The entire staff at TAS is very helpful. Just before my checkride it seemed everyone was there to help out. The planes are clean and in good shape (safe!). Scheduling is not usually a problem- but its good to schedule ahead!

Again, thanks to all involved in helping to bring about the most exciting achievement of my life!

With the greatest of appreciation and gratitude-

Earl A. Brown IV

Dear Allison:I want to thank you, and the entire staff at TAS, Inc., for helping me achieve a dream I have had for over thirty years – the dream of becoming a private pilot.

The training I received at TAS was professional and enjoyable. The entire staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and caring. The instructors all took an interest in my training and were always happy to thoroughly answer any of my many questions. Just before my checkride, all of the instructors worked with me in the air and on the ground, preparing me for my test.

I would personally like to thank Dave Adamson who worked so hard with me throughout my training. He was always extremely patient, offering encouragement when I would get stuck on a concept, flight maneuvers, or when I became overly anxious about my progress. Dave even came to work on several occasions on his day off to accommodate my schedule. The practical knowledge and experience he has acquired was shared with me making my learning experience extensive, enjoyable and invaluable.

Thanks to Dave, and the other instructors, I was more than prepared for my checkride. I can now look forward to many years of flying enjoyment and I hope to continue learning more at TAS as I work toward additional ratings and certifications.

With sincere gratitude and appreciation, I am

Respectfully yours,

William J. Daloia

Dear Mrs. Laird.Friday I saw a thirty year old dream come true. I received my Private Pilot’s, License. What a great feeling of accomplishment! I want to thank you for the couple of fireside chats that we had. Your encouragement and understanding meant a lot to me. I also owe a great deal of thanks to Troy Gruner for pushing me out of the nest. Without his push I would be still on the ground wishing and wondering. I want to give special thanks to Mark Weeks for polishing me up. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciated his patience and professionalism.

In addition to getting my license I want to give thanks for all the new friends that I have made at the airport….Dave, Jay, George, Bud, Earl, and the whole crew.

Thanks a million to everyone at TAS that helped me get my ticket. Enclosed is a Checkride debriefing that may help someone else.

Sincerely,

Norman Steines

Mark, Allison, Ted, and all at TAS,Thank you for helping me to realize a life-long dream of learning to fly. It seems like a very short few months ago that I started the program and I felt like I was drinking from the fire hose, it was all so overwhelming. I thought ‘How could anyone possibly get a handle on such a complex machine’? Now, thanks to your instruction, I’ve begun to master these once foreign skills. My private pilot’s license is testament to that.

Your program was well structured with a good mix of lessons. Some were confidence inspiring and others kept me suitably humble. They reminded me that as a pilot, I should never stop learning. At all times I felt the instructors were giving me just enough new challenges to let me grow without feeling like I was in over my head.

I look forward to further instruction and ratings to be earned at TAS. I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done because now I can say with pride, ‘I AM A PILOT’!

Steve Kreckman

Nicholas C. ZikasDear Allison,

I wanted to express my gratitude to you and the terrific staff at TAS Inc. for enabling me to realize my dream of flight. Throughout the entire process, you and your staff at The Brandywine Airport have been extremely helpful. I was impressed with the attention to detail dedicated to meeting my training needs. You have done an excellent job in ensuring that an aircraft was always available and in nothing but perfect working order to accommodate my busy schedule.

I spent most of my time under the careful instruction of Troy Gruner. Troy is absolutely one of the best teacher’s I have come across. He always remained positive, even in the roughest of my landings. The one aspect I found refreshing about Troy was the fact that we flew in many different conditions. I fully appreciate that everyday will not be sunny, visibility will not always be perfect and the sky will not always be devoid of clouds. Troy enabled me to understand the mechanics and physics involved in flying in less than perfect conditions. Throughout the training regimen, I felt that my confidence level continually improved, a direct reflection of Troy’s guidance.

Please express my gratitude to Dave and Ray as well. Their expert guidance allowed me to continue my forward progression in Troy’s absence. Finally, I appreciate the expertise and mentoring provided by your entire staff. Your flight instructors never hesitated to answer my questions or point me in the right direction. Thanks again to a wonderful staff and a truly satisfying experience.

Sincerely,

Nicholas C. Zikas

Patrick J. ByrneDear Ted:

This letter is written to thank you for your efforts in putting together the wonderful staff of flight training personnel at TAS Inc, at The Brandywine Airport in West Chester. I recently completed your Cessna training program and easily passed the FAA check-ride for private pilot, and so much of the credit goes to your staff!

My first experience with TAS was meeting Allison Laird, Flight School Manager, who was throughout my training a positive and upbeat operations manager, a provider of accurate information regarding any questions on costs, support materials to purchase, and who enjoyed sharing her personal experiences as a pilot. Allison was always willing to work diligently with training and aircraft scheduling to coincide with my busy schedule. All aircraft were in excellent condition and Allison strived to make maintenance “turn-arounds” quick and efficient to insure that planes were properly serviced and ready for flight training.

Primary flight instruction was with Troy Gruner, who was excellent at providing the necessary training at a pace that matched my ability to absorb and retain the information. Troy’s approach to instruction was refreshing, well tuned with the Cessna Private Pilot training kit, yet practical knowledge-based to make me a better and safer pilot in the practical world of aviation. I look forward to many years of enjoyable and safe flying based on Troy having been “in the right seat”.

All of your TAS instructors, especially Dave, Ray Mike and Mark (all of whom I flew with), are very professional, positive and have a passion for flying and instructing. Without exception, everyone there would take the time to insure that my question(s) were answered completely and fully understood.

As an owner of a service based business, I know how important the staff affects the quality of the product and customer experience, and I want to commend you on your selection of this staff and how well they work at the task of flight training and aircraft rental. I look forward to a continued relationship with T AS as I continue to fly and move on to instrument training!

Very truly yours,

Patrick J. Byrne

Bob Safford, Jr.Monday,TAS, Inc Brandywine Airport West Chester, PA 19380

To whom it may concern:

I have recently completed my Private Pilot’s license after receiving my instruction through TAS. The purpose of this letter is to give you my perspective because you are evaluating Flight Schools as I did about 1 year ago.

One of the most important considerations to me in becoming a pilot is that I would become a very safe, capable, and yet confident pilot. I am very pleased with the instruction and help that I received from the instructors and staff at TAS. There was a strong emphasis on “doing it right”. While the FAA examiner could not give an obvious product endorsement…it was clear to me that he was very familiar with TAS and their standards. I felt “ahead of the game” when he found out I was a TAS graduate!

Even though my primary instructor was Mike Adams (whom I found to be a very good and capable instructor) the other instructors (in particular Troy and Dave) were always willing to answer my questions and give me additional insight. There is a spirit of teamwork and cooperation amongst the staff.

Allison, deserves some special recognition, as she is the one that you will deal with most in the administrative aspects of your licensing process. Do not be mistaken by her title “office manager”. I found her to be extremely capable and knowledgeable in every area of flying! She is a great help and resource in making your certification easier .

Finally, I found there was good availability of well-maintained aircraft. While it is important to learn various emergency procedures…I enjoyed learning them from a purely theoretical perspective!

Ultimately, your success depends upon you. You must be tenacious and persistent. You must have a dream for getting your license and never let go. Establish a plan with your instructor and follow your plan. With your desire, hard work and the help of the professionals at TAS you’ll win!

Good Luck!

Bob Safford

Remember, keep the blue side UP!

For the Potential New Pilot!I used TAS, Inc. in receiving my Private Pilot Certificate in 1996 and just recently my Instrument Rating this past month. I use both their instructors and their rental fleet of planes.

The instructor you choose will be a very important part of your training. TAS has a variety of well qualified instructors. There are full and part time instructors; you can always find an instructor available during the day or night but it is best to schedule in advance. I suggest you ask the school about each instructor and their available times to coincide with yours. You will find all instructors can adapt to your skill level and pace of training. It is best to choose one instructor and consistently train with them. Each additional time you train, the instructor will know where you left off the previous time and what additional areas you need working on.

TAS has a good number of rental planes. The lack of rentals creates scheduling problems.

You will always find planes available for rental eliminating any interference with your flying schedule. The planes are also well maintained, clean and SAFE!. I have the highest confidence in their planes and feel quite comfortable using the planes for pleasure when I take family and friends for local and cross country trips.

A good pilot is always training. My next objective is to receive my commercial certificate. I will certainly come back to TAS. In the meantime, I regularly use TAS for plane rentals and do what I always dreamed of.

Good luck and feel free to call me if you have any questions or comments.

Stephen G. Mantakounis