Posted: 8/13/03

FL flight instructor wants to share thrills

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

Jim Schulze has been defying gravity and enjoying the thrill of flying since 1984 and has no plans of quitting anytime soon.

ìIím very blessed and privileged,î Schulze, a certified flight instructor, said. ìThis is a wonderful thing that allows me to get a view of the neighborhood.î

Too, he said he enjoys the efficiency of flight, the safety of it and pure joy of taking to the skies.

From the sky, the world takes on a new image. From the sky, pilots can see fish swimming in the waters below, see the neat rows of homes in housing developments, see the immaculate patterns of farmerís crops and see the city skyline like no view discovered on the ground.

While he took a few years off in between, Schulze, who has been a full time instructor for 2‡ years, said flying is something he does as often as he can.

And he wants to share the experience of flight by teaching others to fly.

With Flight Pro, the flight school Schulze opened in July, flight lessons return to Forest Lake Airport, Daniel A. DePonti Memorial Field.

From 16-year-old youth to retired folks looking to enjoy some traveling, Schulze gives instruction for private pilotís license, instrument rating, commercial license, certified flight instructorís certificate and tail wheel training.

Teaching, he said, is a very satisfying way to spend his time in the clouds.

ìThe confidence you see from a student on their first take off and first landing, their first solo,î Schulze said. ìItís very satisfying to see someone grow like that.î

The quickest, but rarely feasible amount of time it takes to become a pilot is two weeks. On average, Schulze said, it typically takes six months to become a pilot.

ìThen again, some people turn it into some sort of career,î he said.

At Flight Pro, ground school and flight time is concurrent.

ìI recommend people do integrated training,î he said. ìGet out for a ride right off the bat. It helps gel things together better, thatís what I recommend.î

A taste of flight

For those wondering if flying is for them, Flight Pro offers discovery flights for $49.

ìItís a flight for anybody who wants to see if flying is for them,î he said. ìIf theyíre thinking about flying, Iíd encourage them to go out and do that.î

But flying, Schulze said, is good for most folksófrom those with family who live far away to business people striving to make efficient deals and thrill seekers, flight is a great option.

ìThere is no safer way to travel,î Schulze said. ìTake out all of the silly things and you have the safest form of transportation.î

A good airport

Schulze credits the Forest Lake Airport Commission with easing the landing of his flight school.

ìThe airport board has been supportive, cooperative and encouraging,î Schulze said.

And the Forest Lake Airport, with its grass runway, makes for a great place for beginning pilots to learn, he said. And the hangars full of planes and pilots, there are stories to share and lessons to learn.

ìWeíve got a great history out here,î he said. ìThis grass strip is uncommon. And from a training standpoint, itís very forgiving. Itís the grass roots of aviation.î

More information

For more information on Flight Pro, visit www.usfamily.net/web/jims on the World Wide Web, call 651-341-7850 or stop out and talk with Schulze at Saturdayís fly-in and open house at the Forest Lake Airport.

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