Member Spotlight – Go Vertical Aviation
Welcome to the Chamber's Member Spotlight series where we take a moment to feature one of our business members. Our feature company for March and April 2024 was Go Vertical Aviation. We spoke with Owner and Chief Flight Instructor Jason Evans to find out more about the business.
Describe your organization, including the history and services you provide? “Go Vertical Aviation (GVA) is a professional flight school dedicated to industry leading flight training that elevates its students to the next level in their personal goals and professional career paths. GVA started in 2019 with one airplane, one instructor and one location at Bill Pugh Field in Russellville, Alabama. Since 2019, we have grown to serve five locations across the Tennessee Valley, to include Decatur-Morgan County’s very own Pryor Field Regional Airport, and has seen hundreds of students’ lives changed. GVA flight schools offer the most comprehensive flight training options of any flight school of its kind and is home to advanced professional pilot training that takes students from zero time in an airplane to flying professionally in as little as seven months!"
"Additionally, GVA offers student loan financing to help flight students reach their goals faster. The list of GVA programs and courses include: Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Multi-Engine Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, Instrument Flight Instructor, and Multi-Engine Flight Instructor with additional courses to earn Spin/Upset Attitude Endorsements, High Performance, Complex, and Tailwheel Airplane Endorsements, Cirrus Aircraft Transition Certificates, and the added bonus of real Aerobatic Training.”
What makes your organization stand out? "Go Vertical Aviation prides itself in putting our students first and leading the aviation industry with INTEGRITY. However, our ability to deliver industry leading flight instruction in so many different and diverse areas has also become a defining feature for GVA."
What do you see for the future of your organization? "We see GVA partnering with local schools and colleges to expand our professional pilot programs here in the Tennessee Valley, and partnering with additional aviation companies to provide even more opportunities for our students."
What advice would you offer to someone looking for the type of services your organization provides? "Our best advice to anyone is to take a Discovery Flight with us to explore everything that aviation has to offer and see what flying an airplane is really all about."
What are you most proud of when it comes to the organization? "We are most proud of our family atmosphere and the ability to offer the most comprehensive flight training experience available in the aviation industry right here in the Tennessee Valley."
What is one of the advantages your organization is seeing right now? "The biggest advantage is the spotlight on aviation recently. The pilot shortage and yearly pilot salaries, which are soaring over the $400,000, have prompted people to look at aviation much more seriously in our area."
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing right now? "The biggest challenge is to keep up with the demand. So many call wanting to be a part of aviation and become a pilot, but the shortage in pilots/instructors, available aircraft, parts and other resources have really put a strain on our growth and ability to fully meet the demands."
What keeps you motivated/encouraged in your position? "Our motivation comes from the success of our students. Their success makes all the challenges worthwhile."
What’s the best business advice you’ve been given? "My father taught me from an early age that if you truly want to be successful, you must make those you serve successful first. That advice is what Go Vertical Aviation is founded upon."
Why did you choose to open your organization in Decatur-Morgan County? "We chose Decatur-Morgan County because we believe it’s a prime location for growth and allows us access to some of the greatest school systems in the state that can send us highly qualified pilot candidates to send up to the airlines and other high profile aviation careers."
