Mike Dienhart

Review of Windy City Flyers

Context is important - this review is specifically...

Context is important - this review is specifically for a Discovery Flight for my teenage son. I can't comment on or review their pilot training programs.

I bought a Discovery Flight for my teenage son. After a few reschedules necessitated by weather, we met Donovan Hampton on a recent Sunday afternoon. He offered my son two choices - practice work (like a lesson) near Wisconsin, or flights around the Chicago downtown area. We ended up heading towards downtown, which was great by me. Equipment was a Cessna 172 (four seats), and both my son and I were given headsets to use for the flight.

Five star review for several reasons. First, I found the dispatch group and Windy City to be responsive and communicative. They were straightforward about weather requirements, and worked with me several times to reschedule. Easy to work with from that perspective. Second, Donovan did a GREAT job talking to and working directly with my son. Too often people want to talk to the adult - I made it clear up front that my son was the "customer" for the flight, and Donovan spent the rest of the time talking directly to my son. Third, Donovan really encouraged my son to do the flying - helping my son (no previous flight experience) to do the take off, all of the actual flying and much of the landing as well. He had my son controlling the throttle, flaps, brakes (during taxi), etc. - I'm sure he was there "in the background" helping, but my son felt like he was flying the plane almost the whole time.

Overall a really great experience for a highschool junior. Wish Donovan the best, and would highly recommend him!