Stratos Aviation

I recently got my Private Pilot license with Dimitri at Stratos Aviation, and I couldn't be happier with the experience I had. Dimitri did a great job of bringing me through the process step by step and making it enjoyable the entire way through. He is honest and open with students about how they are progressing, keeping them informed of their deficiencies as well as their proficiencies. The professional, yet comfortable atmosphere he creates gives students a great environment in which to grow. Better yet, it is a perfect model of how pilots should approach flying. Before I started lessons, I knew Dimitri was good because of the AOPA Outstanding Flight School award presented to Stratos Aviation in 2016. Now I know why Stratos and Dimitri were awarded again in 2017.
5 7 years ago (27-10-2017)

I have been in flight school four weeks now with Dimitri. Very knowledgeable and very good at explaining/teaching. I had no expectation of what flight school would be like but am doing so to fly with my family and travel the country. I like to read ahead and naturally, I ask a lot of questions, many of which topics we have not yet covered in training. However, he patiently and thoroughly explains and confirms my understanding before moving on. In flight, he is careful to instruct and allow me time to build confidence. He commends and corrects but never in a demeaning way. His teaching methods are mixed, from text books, examples using model planes, videos, and in the place both on the ground and sky. Billing is reasonable and never abused. Anyone on the fence or unsure about where to go, give him a shot. Reminds me of a family oriented restaurant setting if that makes sense. You won't regret it!
5 8 years ago (17-08-2017)

Came in with no experience at all just based off the stars and reviews from Google and couldn't be more happy with the decision!! Dimitri was extremely friendly and easy to get along with! The whole experience was wonderful! I truly believe this is the first of many reviews to come from me!
5 8 years ago (04-08-2017)

I recently spent 3.5 months dedicated to earning my private pilot license with Dimitri and cannot say enough positive things about him as a person and a flight instructor. While doing his absolute best to keep lessons affordable for me, he went well above and beyond basic requirements so that I would become not only a safe and solid pilot, but an aviator who has the confidence to continue flying once the check ride is over. From fundamental maneuvers to emergency procedures, his meticulous attention to detail inspired me to keep my mind sharp and uphold a high degree precision in my flying. Some instructors might just be there to log hours for themselves or to push their students through as fast as possible in an effort to make money but I honestly felt like Dimitri wanted me to be the absolute best pilot I can be. He was genuinely interested in my future goals as a bush pilot in Alaska and tailored my lessons to focus on getting the most out of challenging conditions when they were available. These invaluable experiences will no doubt save my life one day. His unique teaching methods, forged through the test of time, had me developing a feel for the airplane as if it were an extension of myself. Night and day, he showed me how to use all of my senses to analyze and react to every situation. I not only gained an incredible new skill and mentor that completely transformed my life into a dream world of flying, but I made a great new friend as well! Thank you Dimitri!
5 8 years ago (06-03-2017)

Choosing Stratos Aviation was the best decision I've made since I decided to begin flight training. Dimitri has been an excellent instructor to fly with during my private pilot training, and I hope to train with him for my instrument rating as well! First and foremost, Dimitri's top priority in training his students is safety. In my first few lessons, he did a great job of letting my fly the plane as much as possible without compromising our safety. Second, Dimitri has excellent training techniques that pushed me to do my best in the cockpit, and gave me confidence to try again if I wasn't excelling in a certain area. If you have any interest in flying, I would highly recommend giving Dimitri a call and arranging an introductory flight. I have no doubt you'll be pleased with the results!
5 9 years ago (29-09-2016)