Above and Beyond Aviation is one of Austin's longest-standing and most respected general aviation flight schools, operating under Part 61 out of two locations: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) and Austin Executive Airport (KEDC) in Pflugerville. Founded by longtime Austin resident George Farris, the school was built on the principle that learning to fly should be accessible, affordable, and personally rewarding — values that have defined the operation from its earliest days. Farris found his passion for flying in 1967 but couldn't afford training at the time. He eventually earned his private pilot and instrument ratings through the University of Texas Flying Club, began instructing there, and launched Above and Beyond from a single 1977 Cessna 172N. His initial focus on avionics quality — adding IFR-approved GPS and DME from the start — set a tone for the school's commitment to technically capable training aircraft. The school grew steadily over the following decades and today operates dual locations with a combined fleet of over a dozen aircraft. Training programs span the full certificate and rating pathway: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, and CFI. The school is a designated Cessna Pilot Center and offers an online ground knowledge package to complement flight training. Additional offerings include advanced night flying, TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft) training, flight reviews, and instrument proficiency checks — making it a resource not just for student pilots but for certificated pilots looking to stay sharp or build hours.  Above and Beyond has deep roots in the Austin aviation community, with ties to UT Austin's University Flying Club and a reputation built over more than two decades of word-of-mouth growth. Scheduling is handled via Flight Schedule Pro, and the school works exclusively by appointment.

Home Airport(s)

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Primary Location) ICAO: KAUS | IATA: AUS | FAA LID: AUS   Located approximately five miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas. The airport covers 4,242 acres and sits at an elevation of 541 ft MSL. Above and Beyond's KAUS operations are based at Atlantic Aviation, one of the airport's FBOs.   Runways: Runway 18R​/​36L — 12,248 ft × 150 ft (primary; concrete, grooved; ILS​/​DME, RNAV​/​GPS, RNP approaches; high-intensity edge lighting; precision instrument markings) Runway 18L​/​36R — 9,000 ft × 150 ft (secondary; concrete, grooved; ILS​/​DME Cat II​/​III, RNAV​/​GPS, RNP approaches; precision instrument markings)   For flight training, KAUS is a genuinely unique environment — and one that cuts both ways. The airport operates in Class B airspace with a full-time ATC tower, and student pilots here get real exposure to complex radio communications and busy airspace from day one. That's a significant advantage for anyone heading toward an instrument rating or a professional aviation career. The runways are among the longest in Texas and were originally built to handle military and commercial jet operations, so there's no shortage of room for pattern work and touch-and-goes in a light trainer. The central Texas weather is favorable for VFR training year-round, with long stretches of clear skies, warm temperatures, and predictable wind patterns. The tradeoff is that KAUS is a commercial service airport — students operate alongside airline traffic, which adds complexity and can affect scheduling. The Austin Executive (KEDC) location offers a lower-workload alternative for students who want a more relaxed training environment before graduating to Class B.   Austin Executive Airport (Secondary Location) ICAO: KEDC | IATA: EDC | FAA LID: EDC Located in Pflugerville, TX, off Toll Road 130. Uncontrolled airspace with a single runway (17​/​35 — 6,000 ft × 75 ft), ideal for pattern work and early-stage students.

Fleet and Facilities

Above and Beyond operates an all-Cessna 172 fleet across both locations, with a range of avionics configurations from glass cockpit to traditional steam gauges — well-suited for students training toward diverse certificate and rating goals.   At Austin-Bergstrom (KAUS): 2020 Cessna 172S (N20747) — Newest aircraft in the fleet; Garmin G1000 Nxi glass panel, new paint, newly overhauled engine. 2003 Cessna 172S (N5359K) — Garmin 650Xi navigator; comfortable updated interior. Cessna 172R (N132PF) — STC'd 180 hp engine upgrade; Garmin 175 GPS, dual KX155A radios, KAP140 autopilot, ADS-B out; Stratus USB charging ports. 1999 Cessna 172S (N904CP) — TAA-qualified; Garmin GFC 500 dual-axis digital autopilot, G500 TXi flight display, G5 backup, Garmin 430WASS. 1998 Cessna 172S (N478SP) — Garmin 375 IFR GPS with ADS-B, dual KX155As, ADF; 160 hp Lycoming IO-360. 1998 Cessna 172R​/​S (N9561V) — 180 hp engine upgrade; Garmin 650 touchscreen GPS​/​COM, dual G5 digital instruments, KAP140 autopilot. 1997 Cessna 172R​/​S (N167SJ) — 180 hp STC, air conditioning, new leather front seats; Garmin 430W, dual G5s, SkyBeacon ADS-B out. 1998 Cessna 172R (N24AF) — Garmin 175 IFR GPS; solid all-around trainer. 1979 Cessna 172N (N5552E) — 160 hp engine, new paint; Garmin 430WASS, King DME, ADS-B out via UAVionics tailbeacon. Touch Trainer VM BATD Simulator — Basic Aviation Training Device; counts 2.5 hours toward Private Pilot total and 10 hours toward instrument rating; usable for IPCs.   At Austin Executive (KEDC): 2006 Cessna 172S (N60372) — Garmin G1000 glass panel; described as the nicest aircraft in the EDC fleet; new paint and interior. 2000 Cessna 172R (N652MA) — Garmin 430W, Garmin ADS-B; solid IFR trainer. 1978 Cessna 172N (N5124J) — 160 hp D2J engine upgrade; Garmin 430WASS, KX155A, ADS-B out. 1997 Cessna 172R (N413ES) — Garmin 430W, GDL82 ADS-B; KAP140 autopilot. 1978 Cessna 172N (N1317E) — Deltahawk conversion adding 100 lb useful load; Garmin 430WASS, Garmin 340 audio panel, ADS-B out. 1978 Cessna 172N (N739HH) — Sparrowhawk O320 160 hp engine; dual KX155 radios, DME, glideslope; well-equipped time builder. Redbird TD Simulator — FAA-approved BATD; generic single-engine piston in a basic gauge configuration; available for IFR hour logging and proficiency.

Additional Notes

Above and Beyond is one of the most accessible GA flight schools in Austin by price point and reputation, with a consistently strong record of student reviews spanning more than two decades. The school's dual-location setup is genuinely useful — KAUS for students who want real-world commercial airspace exposure and KEDC for those who prefer a quieter, uncontrolled environment earlier in training.   The all-Cessna 172 fleet is a deliberate choice that keeps maintenance straightforward and gives students a consistent type throughout their training. The mix of steam gauge and glass cockpit aircraft at both locations means students can progress from traditional instrument scanning to TAA operations within the same school, without switching operators.