West NY News

Great Lakes Flight Center in Jamestown, NY, has been acknowledged by The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) for its excellence in flight training. The center has earned a spot on the Flight Training Experience Awards as a Distinguished Flight School, an accolade reserved for high-performing flight training providers based on the 2025 Flight Training Experience Review.

The awards aim to recognize outstanding flight training within the industry. Chris Moser, AOPA Foundation Sr. Director of Flight Training Education, noted that "having a friendly and family-like atmosphere has always been a hallmark of excellent instructors and flight schools," while also highlighting innovative efforts made by instructors and schools to exceed customer expectations.

Dave Hinz, President and Chief Flight Instructor at Great Lakes Flight Center, expressed pride in receiving the award: "We are extremely proud to receive the AOPA Distinguished Flight School Award for 2025!" He emphasized their commitment to personalized instruction and creating an enjoyable and safe learning environment. Hinz added that they feel honored by their students' recognition through survey responses and are eager for another successful year of flying.

The selection process for the 2025 awards was based on voluntary reviews from flight students and pilots who participated in an AOPA online customer feedback process last fall.

For more information about the awards, visit www.aopa.org/FTawards. Details about flight training with Great Lakes Flight Center can be found at www.greatlakesflightctr.com or by calling (716) 906-8119.