New PFC Flight Instructors - Congratulations

Stuart Mittlestead and Jamie Pinton

The Instructor Legacy:

The Facebook post read “A legacy ends, and one begins”. I’d say that’s a heavy weight to carry for new instructor Jamie Pinton (on right), Graduate of AVFO Class 7, but an accurate description of the impact of now former PFC instructor Stuart Mittlestead, also a graduate of AVFO Class 7. While legacies are relatively short in the flight training world, Stuart made an impact at the Flying Club over his 3 years of employment.

  

Legacies start from humble beginnings with struggles along the way. These struggles ultimately make the flight instructor better and more equipped to handle difficult situations. Over time, struggles will be had, knowledge will be gained and a well rounded flight instructor will launch into a rewarding career. Instructors leave behind a flight school, a small legacy and a path for others to follow.




Nigel Koit, Jamie Pinton, Sean Samuel, and Chris Brennan

 As the Facebook post implies, other new instructors have a chance to make a difference in the life of young pilots. Over the last week the Pacific Flying Club have hired five new instructors including four BCIT AVFO graduates, Sean Samuel and Chris Brennan from Class 10, Nigel Koit from Class 8 and the aforementioned Jamie Pinton from Class 7.

With the departure of 4 senior instructors in 2013 (three of whom were BCIT grads) these instructors will have an opportunity to step up and start a legacy of their own, hopefully leaving as well rounded pilots with a promising future ahead. That’s a large legacy to follow, good luck.

Article and photos by Dan Martens, PFC