Derek Duerer Flight Instructor

Flight instruction has been such an awesome experience! Training student pilots is like nothing else.

Here’s the latest update for the family members and friends who have been following me:

I recently added an instrument rating to my flight instructor certificate. This allows me to teach instrument flight (maneuvering and navigating with limited or zero visibility outside the airplane). I’m currently working on a multi engine rating, and then adding multi engine to my instructor certificate.

Flying the BE55 Baron is a blast! I’ve never flown a tighter, more responsive aircraft. You definitely have to plan each phase of flight and stay way ahead of the airplane.

I recently decided to withdraw my instructional services from one aero club at Hooks airport. It just wasn’t a good fit for me.

I have acquired a committed 9-hour per week student pilot who is pursuing a career in aviation. He’s very sharp and I couldn’t be more proud of his achievements thus far. He’s nearing the solo phase of his training (which means he kicks me out of the plane and flies by himself). As you can imagine, this is somewhat of a nail biter for me. It is my responsibility to give him adequate instruction, all the appropriate endorsements, and I am directly responsible for his safety. And this, folks, is the roller coaster 🎢.

This aviation journey has been more than a mere educational experience. It has been a roller coaster of excitement and adventure, doubt and disappointment, followed by very brief moments of accomplishment (which lasts precisely until the next morning). Then it’s on to the next phase of learning. It has been so much fun though! Big thanks to the staff at United Flight Systems for helping me to reach this point.

Getting tomorrow’s lesson together.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a student pilot's first solo flight! This was April 11, 2011.

ATC vectored us near downtown en route to Galveston.

This is one of my first flying lessons out of Weiser Airpark in Cypress, TX. The airfield is no longer there, but the memories... The instructor you see is now a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot. This was only 13 years ago. This could be you!

Flying to Houston from the southeast at night.