Hello, I'm Thomas F.
In the FAA Flight Instructor Handbook, self-actualization is described as the feeling of doing what you were meant to do. While I wasn't born into aviation, it's absolutely something I was born to do! That deep sense of purpose has driven me since childhood—watching planes over Falcon Field and knowing I had to be up there someday. My journey took me through the American Airlines Cadet Academy at CAE in Mesa, Arizona, where I trained under a fast-paced Part 141 program and graduated at the top of my class. But more important than technical skill, I learned that true instructional excellence is about presence, patience, and a genuine investment in each student's growth. That's why I built Desert Skies Aviation—not as a pilot factory, but as a flight school centered around each individual's goals, style, and pace. For me, instruction isn't a stepping stone; it's a calling. I'm committed to raising the standard, giving back to the community that changed my life, and building resources for the next generation of aviators. I'm pursuing a career at the airlines, but I'm equally dedicated to making flight training better—whether in the classroom, the cockpit, or the curriculum. If this resonates with you, then I'll say what I say on every takeoff: "How lucky are we?!"
Details
- TimezoneMountain Time [Phoenix] (UTC -7)
Location (City, state)*
Mesa, Arizona
Total Flight Hours*
224
Total Instructional Hours*
15