Matt K.
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Upon finishing my CFI, I feel confident in my ability to teach the knowledge and skills I've acquired during my time with the instructors at Black Hound."
I came to aviation in 2019 seeking a career change after working in manufacturing for years. I was looking to pursue a career that I was passionate about and because of that, I knew that I didn't want to go to a giant cookie-cutter flight school. I came across Martin Fass on the internet as a former DPE and then again came across his name when searching for a Master CFI in the Austin area. Right away I was impressed by his willingness to customize a training plan to my specific needs and timeline.
Once I started training with Marty and Gary on my instrument rating, I quickly realized that their focus on quality training was designed to help mentor me into becoming a safe and competent aviator. I eventually worked with Black Hound to get my instrument rating, commercial certificate, and CFI. The process was exciting, rewarding, and at times incredibly difficult. Upon finishing my CFI, I feel confident in my ability to teach the knowledge and skills I've acquired during my time with the instructors at Black Hound.
For anyone who feels called to the skies, I would recommend you go for it! The satisfaction of taking your friends and family up for a joy ride is definitely worth it.
Isis H.
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The main thing that makes Black Hound stand out is the quality of the aircraft. Their quality control allows you peace of mind to focus on your training and do it right."
It’s always been part of who I am that I like to reach high. When I was 16 my mom had a friend who was an airline pilot and he couldn’t stop raving about his job, from the traveling to the mechanics he loved every bit. With every story he told I too fell in love with it, living vicariously through him. He told me of the shortage of pilots in the airlines and how little women were in their ranks. This lit a fire in me. I went out and had my discovery flight with Black Hound. From the moment the wheels left the pavement I made it my goal to take to the sky and one day work for an airline.
I have been flying with Black Hound aviation for over a year and I can say there's truly no one else around who does it quite the same. For me finding a flexible instructor was the most important thing and Robert Greene embodies this. He's ready to fly at the drop of a hat day or night. Black Hound’s program makes it comprehensive to get the basics and build quickly on your skills.
The main thing that makes Black Hound stand out is the quality of aircraft. There has never been a time during a preflight inspection where something that didn’t look right wasn’t addressed immediately, and usually, preemptively dealt with.
Their quality control allows you peace of mind to focus on your training and do it right. To those seeking to get their license, I would highly recommend having the money at hand and trusting it with these guys. The ability to start your training and keep to it regularly is imperative for retaining information, completing your license promptly, and saving you money in the long run. These guys are here to help and will do all they can to make you comfortable in your abilities and realize your potential in the sky.
Elizabeth L.
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My instructor, Marty Fass, was always available for zoom sessions or on-site ground instruction tied with our flight lessons whenever I had any questions."
I would not hesitate to recommend Black Hound Aviation as your flight school of choice. As a current PPL student here, I continue to be challenged and impressed with the quality of the training and instruction, and aircraft. As a US Permanent Resident, I was led through the TSA Approval process smoothly and expeditiously. The ability to complete ground school online at my own pace allowed me to easily adapt study around my work schedule. My instructor, Marty Fass, was always available for zoom sessions or on-site ground instruction tied with our flight lessons whenever I had any questions.
But let’s talk about flying! I struggled at the start. While the theory made sense, I realized I had to undo long-held misconceptions about how airplanes fly (or how one flies an airplane) in order to progress. While the beauty and challenge of the sky motivated me, at one point I started to think perhaps aviation is not for me, and the first solo seemed an insurmountable hurdle. Not according to Marty and the other instructors at Black Hound, where my troubles were seen as a problem to be solved. I was offered the support and supplementary training I needed, both from my CFI and with Mike Duc, who offered a slightly different training approach that helped me grasp the pieces I was missing.
It was the Black Hound team, as a whole, who immediately recognized how to propel me forward and executed their plan with professionalism and focused encouragement. Before I even realized it, Marty was stepping out of the plane, and I was in the sky, solo! And I knew I was ready. Not just to solo at that moment, but ready upon return after my third landing, to continue full throttle with my pursuit of aviation.
Now we are in the cross-country phase (aka “going places”!), and while I continue to be challenged every day, I now possess the knowledge that future obstacles can be overcome with enough grit, training, determination, and dedicated guidance from my instructors. In fact, the only insurmountable feeling that continues to remain with me every time the aircraft wheels leave the ground… is pure joy.
Omur A.
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I was able to complete my private pilot certificate, then my commercial single and multi-engine certificates with Marty."
I executed my first flight with Martin Fass, the owner of Black Hound Aviation. He taught me how to fly and was an integral part in me becoming a commercial pilot. While receiving my education at Embry Riddle and graduating on the Dean’s list, I was able to complete my private pilot certificate, then my commercial single and multi-engine certificates with Marty.
Based on that foundation, I became a flight instructor and successfully trained over 130 Navy, Naval Academy and Coast Guard officers and midshipmen for IFS and PFP. Then I became an airline pilot and, to date, have flown two different types of jets. I am currently looking at taking the next step in my career to fly long haul, big birds, which hopefully includes driving a 787.
Andrew W.
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Andrew Wilson passed a checkride and received his Private Pilot’s certificate on Sunday, July 4, 2021
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Andrew Wilson of the David Lee "Tex" Hill Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Composite Squadron in San Marcos, Texas passed a checkride and received his Private Pilot’s certificate at the San Marcos airport on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Cadet Wilson’s flight training was paid for by the CAP Wings program. The program provides funded training to selected Civil Air Patrol cadets to earn their Private Pilot Certificate in an Airplane (Single Engine Land-ASEL or otherwise known as powered), Glider, or Lighter-than-air (Balloon) categories and classes. The Air Force has allocated CAP funds for CAP cadet flight training with the goal of fulfilling its mission of developing tomorrow’s aerospace leaders.
Cadet Wilson had an additional distinction in being the 100th CAP cadet to achieve his PPL through the Wings program. His primary CAP flight instructor, Mauricio Urquiola said, “It took many hours of study time, planning flight lessons around the summer weather and most of all, perseverance for Cadet Wilson to accomplish this goal.”
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Civil Air Patrol Headquarters Building
1915 Airport Dr, San Marcos, TX
