AVZ Flight Academy has been operating at McGhee Tyson Airport (KTYS) in Alcoa, Tennessee since 2000, making it one of the longest-running flight training operations in the East Tennessee market. The school was founded by Adrian Van Zyl, a career aviator with decades of varied flying experience, whose stated goal was to train the next generation of pilots. The school self-describes as the only flight school based out of McGhee Tyson Airport — a significant distinction given that KTYS is a major commercial service airport with Class C airspace, a staffed tower, and two parallel ILS-equipped runways shared with commercial airliners and the Tennessee Air National Guard. This location gives AVZ students daily exposure to a demanding, real-world operational environment from the earliest lessons of their training.   AVZ operates as a Part 61 school with a Part 141-aligned curriculum, combining the flexibility of Part 61 with the structured content standards of a Part 141 program. The school's curriculum ladder spans Discovery Flights, Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), and CFII (Certified Flight Instructor — Instrument). The school also serves existing certificated pilots through flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks, rusty pilot programs, and FAA WINGS proficiency program participation. It actively recruits career-track students and positions itself toward pilots seeking professional aviation careers.   Chief Flight Instructor Stephen Abrew holds a Commercial Pilot certificate with CFI, CFII, and MEI privileges and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Air Traffic Control — a background that gives him a controller-side perspective on pilot-ATC interaction that is directly applicable to training in Class C airspace. Abrew is also a board member with the Knoxville Youth Aviation Program and is active in training high school students through an aviation career awareness program at AVZ. Leo Beale serves as Assistant Chief Instructor. The remaining instructional staff includes flight instructors Janna Crow, Marco Artero (Senior Flight Instructor), and Colby Killian. The school is headquartered at 2323 West General Aviation Drive, Suite 209, Alcoa, TN 37701.   AVZ has also maintained a high school aviation program, connecting East Tennessee secondary students to aviation career pathways through direct flight training exposure — a distinguishing community engagement element beyond most Part 61 operations of comparable size. The school is associated with the Knoxville Youth Aviation Program, which connects student and youth engagement to the broader East Tennessee aviation community.

Home Airport(s)

McGhee Tyson Airport (IATA: TYS, ICAO: KTYS, FAA LID: TYS) is a publicly owned, joint-use civil and military airport located 10 miles south of downtown Knoxville in Alcoa, Blount County, Tennessee. The airport covers 2,250 acres at a surveyed elevation of 986 feet MSL. It is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) and functions as Knoxville's primary commercial service airport, set in the geographic heart of the Tennessee Valley against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains approximately 20 miles to the southeast. The airport is also home to the Tennessee Air National Guard's 134th Air Refueling Wing, which shares the field with commercial, general aviation, and training operations.   The airport was established in 1930 and named for Charles McGhee Tyson, a Knoxville businessman and aviator. Land acquisition completed in 1935 and the first airline flight arrived July 29, 1937 — an American Airlines Stinson Trimotor. The control tower was built in 1941 alongside two expanded runways. In 1951 the US Air Force invested in a 7,500-foot runway. Through subsequent decades the airport grew alongside the region: a new passenger terminal opened in 1974, and the MKAA was formally established the same year. Runway 5R​/​23L was rebuilt to 9,000 feet in 1990. A $70 million terminal renovation completed in 2000 added 12 new gates and two concourses. In 2016 the FAA awarded a $27.9 million grant for a multi-year runway expansion of Runway 5L​/​23R to 10,000 feet; that project completed on December 17, 2021. In 2025 the airport set an all-time passenger record of 3,630,410 travelers.   KTYS is served by a continuously staffed FAA control tower. Knoxville Tower frequencies are 121.2 (primary, with military guard on 257.8). Ground is 121.9. ATIS is on 128.35. Clearance Delivery is 121.65. KTYS is Class C airspace, with approach and departure services provided by Knoxville Approach and Departure on sector-specific frequencies: 118.0 (051–229 degree sector) and 123.9 (230–050 degree sector). The airport is within Atlanta ARTCC (ZTL) airspace. The Volunteer VORTAC (116.40) is located 7.4 nm to the southwest and serves as the primary area navaid.   KTYS has two parallel concrete and asphalt grooved runways oriented 051​/​231 degrees magnetic. Runway 5L​/​23R is the primary runway, measuring 10,000 feet by 150 feet on a concrete grooved surface in good condition, rebuilt and reopened in December 2021. Both ends carry ILS approaches: ILS or LOC Runway 5L and ILS or LOC Runway 23R, with Runway 23R additionally certificated for SA CAT I and CAT II operations, featuring ALSF-2 high-intensity approach lighting with sequenced flashers. Full RVR equipment (touchdown, midfield, rollout) is installed at both ends. PAPI systems at 3.0 degrees are on the left side of both ends. Weight bearing capacity supports dual-double-tandem loads to 1,120,000 pounds. Runway 5R​/​23L is 9,000 feet by 150 feet on asphalt in poor condition. It carries an ILS​/​DME approach on Runway 23L, RNAV (GPS) approaches on all four runway ends, VOR approaches on 23L and 23R, and a full suite of High-ILS​/​TACAN​/​VOR procedures reflecting military co-use. Left traffic is standard for Runway 5L and 23L; right traffic for 5R and 23R. Published departure procedures include the KNOXVILLE SEVEN departure. Special alternate and takeoff minimums apply at KTYS. Birds are noted on and in the vicinity of the airport, with increased activity from October through April. Departures on Runway 23L and 23R are instructed to maintain runway heading until passing a residential area south of the extended centerline unless otherwise directed by ATC.   The FBO at KTYS is Signature Aviation (ASRI 128.95), which acquired the airport's prior FBO operations and is the sole fueling provider. Fuel is available as 100LL, Jet-A, and Jet-A++. Major airframe and powerplant repair services are available on field. Bulk oxygen (high pressure) is available. The airport operates as a customs landing rights airport and has continuous attendance.   The training environment at KTYS is the central proposition of AVZ's identity. A general aviation student training at KTYS is performing every flight — from early dual lessons through solo cross-countries — inside Class C airspace served by a 24-hour staffed tower, alongside commercial airline operations on 9,000- and 10,000-foot ILS runways, and with the Tennessee Air National Guard's C-17 Globemaster and refueling tanker operations sharing the field. Each lesson requires a proper clearance into Class C, professional radio communication with Knoxville Tower and Ground, awareness of airline and military traffic patterns, and adherence to the separation standards that govern mixed GA and commercial operations. The result is a student who treats ATC communication as a fundamental daily skill from lesson one rather than an abstract technique introduced late in training.

Fleet and Facilities

AVZ operates a fleet of seven aircraft plus an FAA-approved BATD simulator. The school notes that aircraft are maintained by its in-house maintenance team and that wet rates include fuel and oil; instructor time is billed separately at $75 per hour. The facility is located at 2323 West General Aviation Drive, Suite 209, Alcoa, TN 37701.   Cessna 172-H Skyhawk — N1785F N1785F is a Cessna 172-H equipped with dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments, a Garmin GNC 355 IFR navigator, a PS Engineering PAR200B audio panel​/​COM radio combination, a uAvionix SkySensor ADS-B In receiver, and a uAvionix SkyBeacon ADS-B Out transponder. The Garmin G5 pair replaces the traditional six-pack with modern digital attitude and horizontal situation indicators, giving students glass-cockpit situational awareness in a classic airframe. Wet rate is $185 per hour.   Cessna 172-B Skyhawk — N7665X N7665X is a Cessna 172-B fitted with conventional round-gauge instruments alongside a Garmin GNS 530W IFR navigator, a Garmin GTR 205 COM radio, a PS Engineering P8000B audio panel, and a Garmin GTX 335 transponder with ADS-B Out. The 530W is a full-featured WAAS GPS that supports ILS overlays and GPS approaches. Wet rate is $175 per hour.   Cessna 172 Skyhawk — (unlisted tail) A third Cessna 172 in the fleet is equipped with dual AV-30 electronic flight instruments, a Garmin GPS 175 IFR navigator, a Garmin SL-40 COM radio, a PS Engineering PAR200B audio panel​/​COM radio combination, a TailBeaconX ADS-B Out, and a Stratus 3 ADS-B In portable. This aircraft is designated not available for student pilot solos, making it suitable for dual instruction only. Wet rate is $175 per hour.   Cessna 172-K Skyhawk — N6152E N6152E is a Cessna 172-K with conventional instruments and a Garmin GNS 430W IFR navigator, SkyBeacon ADS-B Out, and a Garmin GTX 327 Mode C transponder. Wet rate is $175 per hour.   Cessna 150-J — N60836 N60836 is a Cessna 150-J, a two-seat primary trainer powered by the Continental O-200 producing 100 horsepower. The avionics are VFR-capable: a Garmin Aera 660 portable EFB and VFR navigator, a PS Engineering PAR200B audio panel​/​COM radio combination, a Narco transponder, and a TailBeacon ADS-B Out. This aircraft is the most economical in the fleet for initial flight lessons and solo hour-building. Wet rate is $140 per hour.   Cessna 150-G — N1308U N1308U is a Cessna 150-G at the lowest wet rate in the fleet at $120 per hour. It is equipped with conventional instruments, Narco COM radio, Narco transponder, SkyBeacon ADS-B Out, and SkySensor ADS-B In. Like the 150-J, it serves as the entry-level two-seat trainer.   Piper PA-28-151 Warrior II — N40842 N40842 is a Piper PA-28-151 Warrior II that has been fitted with an STC retrofit to a Lycoming O-360 producing 180 horsepower — an upgrade from the stock 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320 found in the standard Warrior I. The aircraft is equipped for VFR only with dual COM radios, a Narco transponder, and SkyBeacon ADS-B Out. The Warrior provides the low-wing alternative in the fleet for students who want variety in airframe type or are building toward a low-wing commercial certificate flight test. Wet rate is $175 per hour.   Elite PI-135 BATD Simulator The Elite PI-135 is an FAA-approved Basic Aviation Training Device rated for up to 2.5 hours of loggable time toward a private pilot certificate and up to 10 hours toward an instrument rating. It can also be used by instrument-rated pilots to establish or maintain instrument currency. The simulator features real buttons and knobs replicating electrical systems, avionics, and other aircraft controls, and is capable of simulating single-engine or twin-engine aircraft configurations. The rate is $90 per hour, and the device is available for use during ground lessons, proficiency sessions, and self-directed practice.

Additional Notes

The significance of AVZ's Class C location deserves direct elaboration. There are roughly 50 commercial service Class C airports across the United States, and most general aviation training does not take place at any of them — it takes place at quiet uncontrolled fields or small towered Class D airports within driving distance of population centers. AVZ is a genuine outlier: a Part 61 school whose students conduct every flight inside an airspace shared with mainline airline jets, regional CRJ and ERJ operations, and an Air National Guard wing operating C-17 Globemasters. The required communication standard, ATC clearance culture, and situational awareness demands at KTYS are materially higher than at a typical training airport. A student who earns a Private Pilot certificate at KTYS has flown hundreds of times into and out of Class C airspace, received and read back ATC clearances as a matter of routine, and learned to share a pattern with jets and turboprops as a normal feature of every lesson.   Stephen Abrew's ATC background — specifically his Associate of Applied Science degree in Air Traffic Control — is an unusual and practically valuable credential for a chief flight instructor operating in Class C airspace. Controllers and pilots frequently experience communication friction that stems from each side not fully understanding the other's procedural framework, workload constraints, and vocabulary conventions. An instructor who has studied ATC from the inside can explain to students not just what to say but why controllers request what they request, how radar spacing is calculated, why certain phraseology matters, and what the controller is managing on the other end of the frequency. In a busy Class C environment like KTYS, that level of ATC fluency in the training program is a meaningful differentiator.   The Smoky Mountain regional setting is also worth noting for students considering AVZ. The terrain around Knoxville includes the Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast — with peaks exceeding 6,600 feet above sea level — as well as the ridgelines and valleys of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province to the northeast and southwest. Cross-country navigation out of KTYS quickly introduces students to terrain-influenced weather patterns, mountain obscuration, valley fog, and orographic lift that are essentially absent from flatland training environments. Students learning to assess Mountain Obscuration SIGMETs, valley fog ceiling trends, and the effects of Appalachian terrain on instrument approach minimums are gaining risk-management skills that flatland-trained pilots often lack.