Colorado Flight Center at Grand Junction

We’ve got TWO new CFIs to celebrate! ✈️🎉

A huge congratulations to twin brothers Cade & Garrett W., who both passed their CFI checkrides this week at Colorado Flight Center!

Earning a Certified Flight Instructor certificate is a big achievement. It represents countless hours of studying, flying, teaching, and preparing—and now Cade and Garrett get to take everything they’ve learned and help shape the next generation of pilots.

That’s one of our favorite things about aviation: every new instructor has the opportunity to make an impact that reaches far beyond their own flying career.

A special shoutout to Gordon Hutchins, who was the signing instructor for both!

Congratulations, Cade & Garrett! We’re excited to see what’s ahead for you both. 👏🛩️

🎉 Another student joins the solo club! ✈️

Congratulations to Brandon Lockner on completing his first solo flight! This is one of the most exciting milestones in a pilot’s journey—the first time taking off and landing with no instructor onboard. It’s a moment every pilot remembers!

A huge shoutout to CFI Kelly Schaffnit for the excellent instruction, encouragement, and dedication that helped Brandon reach this incredible achievement. 👏

Way to go, Brandon! We’re proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see where your aviation journey takes you next.

👇 Help us congratulate Brandon in the comments! We’d love to see our Colorado Flight Center family show him some support! 🎉

Thinking about learning to fly yourself? Your first solo could be closer than you think. Come see why so many pilots choose Colorado Flight Center to start their aviation journey.

📍 Schedule a discovery flight and take the first step toward earning your wings! See the link 🔗 in our bio to get started.

Congratulations to CFC student Evan B.! Evan recently passed his checkride, and officially earned his wings as a Private Pilot. ✈️

Completing his first solo flight earlier this year, Evan and his amazing CFI, Gordon Hutchins, put the work in together to get Evan across the finish line in great time.

Great work, Evan, on earning your PPL, and we can’t wait to see all you do in the skies!

Congratulations to Thomas L. on earning his Instrument Rating! 🎉✈️

Thomas has been with Colorado Flight Center since the very beginning of his aviation journey, and it's been incredible to watch his progress every step of the way. From his very first solo flight to celebrating his Private Pilot Certificate, and now ringing the bell after successfully earning his Instrument Rating, each milestone has been a testament to his hard work and determination.

We're also proud to recognize his instructor, Alison Rowley, for her outstanding instruction, encouragement, and support throughout this phase of Thomas's training. Her dedication to helping students grow as pilots is reflected in achievements like this one.

Thomas, thank you for trusting Colorado Flight Center to be part of your journey. We're proud of everything you've accomplished and can't wait to watch you continue reaching new heights.

Please join us in congratulating Thomas on this incredible achievement! 👏✈️

Congratulations to Blake C. on earning his Pilot Certificate! 🎉✈️

It's been an incredible journey watching Blake grow as a pilot, and we're thrilled to celebrate this well-earned accomplishment.

We previously celebrated Blake's very first solo flight, and today we're excited to recognize another major milestone as he successfully earned his Private Pilot Certificate. Every lesson, every flight, and every challenge along the way has led to this moment.

A special thank you to his instructor, Ty McElroy, for his guidance, encouragement, and dedication throughout Blake's training. The impact our instructors have on their students extends far beyond the cockpit, and we're proud to celebrate both Blake's achievement and Ty's mentorship.

Becoming a private pilot is a tremendous achievement that reflects dedication, discipline, and a true commitment to learning. Blake's hard work has paid off, and we're proud to have been part of his journey.

Congratulations again, Blake! Thank you for trusting Colorado Flight Center with your flight training. We can't wait to see what you accomplish next. 👏✈️

Happy Fourth of July from everyone at Colorado Flight Center! 🇺🇸✈️

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 250 years of American independence.

For two and a half centuries, the values of courage, perseverance, and opportunity have inspired generations to dream bigger—including those who have looked to the skies in pursuit of flight.

Today, we’re thankful for our students, instructors, pilots, aviation community, and especially the service members, past and present, whose dedication has helped preserve the freedoms we celebrate.

We hope you enjoy a safe holiday filled with family, friends, and unforgettable memories.

Happy 250th Independence Day!