Oregon Aero Academy

08/29/2026

**Balloons at dawn, Young Eagles at noon, and tacos in between. 🎈✈️🌮**

The 2026 Northwest Art & Air Festival is in full swing in Albany, and the view from the ramp at S12 has been hard to beat. Hot air balloons lifted off at first light and drifted right over the flight line while the airplanes were still tied down — one of those mornings you don't forget.

The best part of the day belonged to the kids. Young Eagles flights were hosted by EAA Chapter 1457, with pilots and volunteers from EAA Chapter 1457 and EAA 292 giving young people ages 8–17 their very first flight in a general aviation airplane — completely free. A huge thank you to every pilot who flew, every volunteer who worked the ramp, and every parent who got their kid out of bed early for it. Somewhere in that group is a future airline captain.

And then there was the food. 🌮 in Albany, Corvallis and Bend put out a full street taco spread — carne asada, chicken and chorizo, with beans, rice, onions, cilantro, lime, pico de gallo and a green salsa that deserves its own post. Outstanding, all of it.

Thank you to the Northwest Art & Air Festival and the City of Albany, Oregon for putting on one of the best weekends of the year in the valley. The festival runs through Sunday at Timber Linn Park — go catch a morning launch if you can.

👉 And if watching all this made you wonder what it takes to be the one flying: that's what we do. Oregon Aero Academy trains pilots from zero hours to career, right here at Albany Municipal (S12) and Eugene (KEUG).

📞 541-730-3345 | 🌐 www.OregonAeroAcademy.com

08/23/2026

🎉 PRIVATE PILOT — Curtis! 🎉

After acing his oral exam last week, Curtis finished the job and earned his Private Pilot certificate. And he's just getting warmed up — his plan is to keep going all the way to CFI.

Congratulations, Curtis! And a big thank you to CFI Brad for the outstanding instruction that got him here.

Next Up: Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and then to CFI. Let's GOOOOO

Another name headed for the Wall of Accomplishment. Whether you're dreaming of your first flight or a career in the cockpit, we'd love to help you get started — we fly out of both Albany and Eugene, Oregon.

Your aviation dreams start NOW. ✈️
www.OregonAeroAcademy.com

08/19/2026

Hello everyone,

As a flight school operator for the past 11 years, my experience showed that the most difficult part of any Certificate or Rating is the Ground School Knowledge and Oral Prep.

Our school used self-study ground school when we first opened but our first time checkride pass rate was 40-45% due to the students failing the oral portion of the checkride.

Afterwards, we started one-on-one ground school which majority of the students opt in for and now our first time checkride pass rate is about 85% and majority of the fails were from the oral portion of the checkride.

So we have create an app that all of our students must use and pass the 3 endorsement exams prior to our Mock-Checkride. We started enforcing this approximately 2 months ago as a test to see whether it will make a difference or not and so far it is working. In the past 2 months, all of our students passed the oral portion of the checkride.

So I am thinking about making this public for testing and gathering information on viability of this so I am offering up 15 day trial for any course (Private, Instrument, Commercial) if you send me feedback on effectiveness of this app and what we can do to improve upon it.

Just to be clear though: this is not an app that is designed to simulate the exam but all information is from FAA sources so don't expect to just memorize the answers. Suggestion is to take the practice exams a few times and then take the endorsement exams (3 consecutive 100 questions exams with 80% or higher will give you a pass).

I mean it is free for 15 days so I hope you are able to take advantage of this.

USE PROMO CODE: PILOT15 after you Sign Up

3,000+ practice questions written from the FAA's own handbooks, with an explanation and source reference on every answer. $20 per course for 60 days — one-time, not a subscription.

08/11/2026

HERE WE GO!

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS, JACK! 🎉

We're thrilled to celebrate Jack earning his PRIVATE PILOT certificate! ✈️ After all the study sessions, preflights, and hours in the air, Jack passed his checkride and is now officially pilot in command. What an achievement!

A huge thank-you to CFIs Ben & Brad for their dedication and expert instruction every step of the way. Great teamwork makes great pilots. 🙌

Jack's name is heading straight to our Wall of Accomplishment — a well-earned spot!

Whether you're dreaming of your first flight or your first certificate, remember: your aviation dreams start NOW. Come fly with us in Albany & Eugene, Oregon. 🛩️

08/10/2026

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS, MARK! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Mark, who just earned his PRIVATE PILOT certificate! ✈️ Through every lesson, preflight, and flight hour, Mark stayed focused and determined — and it paid off with a successful checkride. He's now officially pilot in command!

Huge thanks to CFI Taka for the expert instruction and encouragement that guided Mark all the way to this milestone. 🙌

Mark's name is earning its place on our Wall of Accomplishment — congratulations on this incredible achievement!

Thinking about starting your own aviation journey? Remember: your aviation dreams start NOW. Come see us in Albany & Eugene, Oregon. 🛩️

08/03/2026

Another Big day at Oregon Aero Academy — Nathan just completed his FIRST SOLO! 🎉

There's no milestone in aviation quite like it: the first time you taxi out, take off, and fly the pattern entirely on your own. Nathan did exactly that, and that grin says it all. We're beyond proud of the hard work and dedication that got him here.

Please join us in congratulating Nathan as he earns his spot on our Wall of Accomplishment! ✈️ Ready to start your own aviation journey? Remember — your aviation dreams start NOW.

📍 Albany & Eugene, Oregon

08/01/2026

CELEBRATION CONTINUES!

Please help us congratulate Kyle on passing his Instrument Checkride! 🎉

Kyle didn't just earn his Instrument Rating — he powered through his one-on-one ground and flight training in just three weeks. That kind of dedication is exactly what flying in the clouds is all about, and we couldn't be prouder to see him reach this milestone.

A big thank-you to instructors Ben and Blake, who worked with Kyle on both the ground and flight sides of his training. Great work, gentlemen! 🙌

Kyle has earned his place on the Oregon Aero Academy Wall of Accomplishment. Whether you're dreaming of your first flight or your next rating, remember — your aviation dreams start NOW.

📍 Albany & Eugene, Oregon

07/30/2026

AND IT CONTINUES!

Please join us in congratulating Carson on earning his Private Pilot Certificate! ✈️🎉

Under clear Oregon skies, Carson passed his checkride and officially earned his wings — a milestone that takes dedication, focus, and a whole lot of heart. We couldn't be prouder to add his name to our Wall of Accomplishment.

A special thank-you to CFI Taylor, whose guidance and encouragement helped Carson soar. This is what great instruction looks like!

Whether you're dreaming of your first flight or your first license, we'd love to help you get there. Your aviation dreams start NOW. 🌤️

📍 Oregon Aero Academy — Albany & Eugene, Oregon
🔗 www.OregonAeroAcademy.com

07/28/2026

WHAT A WEEK!

Please help us congratulate Iven on earning his Commercial Pilot Certificate! ✈️🎉

Iven brings a remarkable background to the ramp — he's a former United States Air Force B-1 Lancer pilot with tons of Multi Time! Adding a Commercial Single Engine to that experience is no small feat, and we're proud to have been part of his journey.

It just goes to show: no matter how far you've flown, there's always another horizon to chase. Welcome to our Wall of Accomplishment, Iven — and thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

Thinking about advancing your own certificates and ratings? We'd love to help. Your aviation dreams start NOW. 🌤️

📍 Oregon Aero Academy — Albany & Eugene, Oregon
🔗 www.OregonAeroAcademy.com

07/27/2026

🎉 A first for the record books! Congratulations to Ryder on completing his FIRST SOLO flight — and making history as the very first student to solo from our Eugene, Oregon location!

That moment when the instructor climbs out and it's just you, the airplane, and the open sky is one every pilot remembers forever. Ryder took Cherokee N8472W "Ruby" up over Eugene under gorgeous blue skies and brought her home like a pro. We could not be prouder to add his name to the Oregon Aero Academy Wall of Accomplishment.

And a shoutout to and for their professionalism.

Whether you're dreaming of flying in Albany or Eugene, remember — your aviation dreams start NOW. Way to go, Ryder! ✈️