Our Philosophy
We at Blue Skies Flying Services believe that flying is FUN and we try to teach that way, too. When it stops being fun, we will stop flying. The excitement you feel on the first flight should continue through all your flying. We work to keep that up. At the same time, we approach each flight lesson in a professional manner because the Private Pilot certificate can be the first step toward a career in aviation.
Announcements
Blue Skies Flying Services have repeated last year’s AOPA award as Best in the Midwest!
CFII and Chief Flight Instructor Mike Biewenga was not only awarded as BEST in the MIDWEST, but in the NATION! CFII Jim Fellers and CFII Joseph J, Zubaywere also recognized as distinguished flight instructors!
We are beyond excited, proud, and THANKFUL to our extended Blue Skies family—students, pilots, staff, and their family and friends!
Congratulations to our Member's Accomplishments!
First Solo:
Evan Blackman – July 17, 2019
A huge congratulations to EVAN BLACKMAN on his first solo, in Archer N2817D! A big thanks to your CFI’s, Alex Priester and Phil Stegge!
New Private Pilot:
Gus Johnson – July 14, 2019
A huge congratulations to Gus Johnson on passing his Private Pilot checkride in Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn (L), and DPE Dave Monroe (R)!
New Private Pilot:
Nathan Otto – July 14, 2019
A huge congratulations to Nathan Otto on passing his Private Pilot checkride in Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn (L), and DPE Dave Monroe (R)!
First Solo:
Jeremy McManus – July 9, 2019
A huge congratulations to Jeremy McManus on his first solo, in Cessna N432ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Kyle Oligney!
New Private Pilot:
Max Hagberg – July 7, 2019
A huge congratulations to Max Hagberg on passing his Private Pilot checkride in Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to your CFI, Tom Patinella!
New Private Pilot:
Jessica Bernin – July 4, 2019
A huge congratulations to Jessica Bernin on passing her Private Pilot checkride in Warrior N43020! A big thanks to your CFI, Randy Awker, and DPE Dave Monroe!
New Private Pilot:
Austin Gilson – July 2, 2019
A huge congratulations to Austin Gilson on passing his Private Pilot checkride in Warrior N43020! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn, and DPE Dave Monroe!
New Instrument Rating:
John McDowall – June 11, 2019
A huge congratulations to John McDowall on passing his Instrument Rating in Archer N721SM! A big thanks to your CFII, Mike Biewenga, and DPE Gail Lapook!
New Private Pilot:
Yanina Necker – June 11, 2019
A huge congratulations to Yanina Necker on passing her Private Pilot checkride in Warrior N32403! A big thanks to your CFI, Tom Laughlin, Chief Flight Instructor Mike Biewenga, and DPE Gail Lapook!
New Solo:
Zach Starbird – June 9, 2019
A huge congrats to Zach Starbird, who completed his first solo in Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn!
New Solo:
Jimmy Horner – June 5, 2019
A huge congrats to Jimmy Horner, who completed his first solo in Cessna N432ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn!
New Solo:
Jacob Skrzypinski – May 20, 2019
A huge congratulations to Jacob Skrzypinski, who completed his first solo in Cessna N432ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn!
New Solo:
Nathan Otto – May 4, 2019
A huge congratulations to Nathan Otto, who completed his first solo in Cessna N432ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn!
New Private Pilot:
Andrew Thome – April 13, 2019
A huge congratulations to Andrew Thome, who completed his Private Pilot checkride in Archer N721SM! A big thanks to CFII Mike Biewenga and DPE Gail Lapook.
New Private Pilot:
Chris Wilson – March 6, 2019
A huge congratulations to Chris Wilson on passing his private pilot checkride in Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to your CFII, Joe Zubay.Pictured with DPE Gail Lapook!
New Solo:
Jessica Bernin – February 28, 2019
A huge congratulations to Jessica Bernin, who completed her first solo in Warrior N432403! A big thanks to your CFII, Randy Awker!
New Solo:
Austin Gilson – February 13, 2019
A huge congratulations to Austin Gilson, who completed his first solo in Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to your CFI, Brandon Kuhn!
New Commercial Rating:
Tom Blackman – February 9, 2019
A huge congratulations to Tom Blackman, who completed his commercial rating! A big thanks to your CFI, Nathan Hartley and pictured with DPE, Gail Lapook!
New Solo:
Yanina Necker – February 9, 2019
A huge congratulations to Yanina Necker, who completed his first solo in Warrior N32403! A big thanks to your CFI, Tom Laughlin!
New Solo:
Daniel Klein – February 9, 2019
A huge congratulations to Daniel Klein, who completed his first solo in Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to your DPE, Phil Stegge
New Solo:
Bryan Dorman – January 4, 2019
A huge congratulations to Bryan Dorman, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N43020! A big thanks to your CFII, Jim Fellers.
New Private Pilot:
Madison Fulgenzi – January 3, 2019
A huge congratulations to Madison Fulgenzi, who completed her private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to your CFI, Tom Patinella and DPE Dave Monroe.
New Private Pilot:
Matt Zimolzak – November 12, 2018
A huge congratulations to Matt Zimolzak, who completed his private pilot checkride in Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to your CFII, Mike Biewenga and DPA Dave Monroe..
New Solo:
Kelly Koeller – November 10, 2018
A huge congratulations to Kelly Koeller, who completed his first solo in Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to your CFII, Joe Zubay.
New Private Pilot:
Bob Esvang – October 26, 2018
A huge congratulations to Bob Esvang, who passed his private pilot checkride in the Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to your CFI, Phil Stegge. Pictured with his DPE Dave Monroe.
New Private Pilot:
Riley Conroy – October 22, 2018
A huge congratulations to Riley Conroy, who passed his private pilot checkride in the Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to your CFI, Mike Biewenga. Pictured with his CFI Mike and DPE Dave Monroe.
New Private Pilot:
Dan Biell – September 23, 2018
A huge congratulations to Dan Biell, who passed his private pilot checkride in the Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFI, Alex Priester. Pictured with his DPE, Gail Lapook.
New Solo:
Quinton Urban – August 14, 2018
A huge congratulations to Quinton Urban, who completed his first solo in his Dad’s 182, N82TL! A big thanks to his CFII, Jim Fellers!
New Solo:
William Schroeder – September 10, 2018
A huge congratulations to William Schroeder, who completed his first solo in the N55452! A big thanks to his CFII,Jim Fellers!
New Solo:
Pranav Vyas – August 12, 2018
A huge congratulations to Pranav Vyas, who completed his first solo in a Piper Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to his CFI, Alex Priester!
New Private Pilot:
Cullen Chudik – August 14, 2018
A huge congratulations to Cullen Chudik, who passed his private pilot checkride in the Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFI, Tom Laughlin. Pictured with his DPE, Dave Monroe.
New Private Pilot:
Lucas Chaffin – August 11, 2018
A huge congratulations to Lucas Chaffin, who passed his private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFI, Alex Priester, as well as DPE Gail Lapook!
New Private Pilot:
Maciej Kawecki – August 9, 2018
A huge congratulations to Maciej Kawecki, who passed his private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFI, Tom Laughlin, and DPE Dave Monroe (right)!
Certified Flight Instructor:
Tom Patinella – August 3, 2018
A huge congratulations to Tom Patinella, who passed his CFI rating and will be joining the Blue Skies team! A big thanks to his CFII, Jim Fellers, as well as DPE Alan Zielinkski. Pictured with Alan Zielinski!
New Private Pilot:
Parker Ritter – August 1, 2018
A huge congratulations to Parker Ritter, who passed his private pilot checkride in Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to his CFI, Mike Biewenga. Pictured with his CFI Mike and DPE Dave Monroe!
New Solo:
Andrew McCoy – July 15, 2018
A huge congratulations to Quinton Urban, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to his CFII, Jim Fellers!
New Solo:
Thomas Menner – July 10, 2018
A huge congratulations to Thomas Menner, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFI, Tom Laughlin!
New Solo:
Riley Conroy – July 6, 2018
A huge congratulations to Riley Conroy, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N43020! A big thanks to his CFI, Alex Priester!
New Solo:
Manish Upadhyaya – July 3, 2018
A huge congratulations to Manish Upadhyaya, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N43020! A big thanks to his CFII, Joe Zubay!
New Solo:
Bryan Huhn – July 2, 2018
A huge congratulations to Bryan Huhn, who completed his first solo in Cessna N432ER! A big thanks to his CFI, Tom Laughlin!
New Private Pilot:
John McDowall – June 29, 2018
A huge congratulations to John McDowall, who passed his private pilot checkride in Cessna N432ER! A big thanks to his CFI, Kyle Oligney!
New Solo:
Becky Rhyner – June 28, 2018
A huge congratulations to Matt Zimolzak, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N43020! A big thanks to his CFI, Sean Fuhrer!
New Commercial Checkride:
Brandon Kuhn – June 28, 2018
A huge congratulations to Brandon Kuhn, who passed his commercial checkride in Piper Arrow N33815! A big thanks to his CFI, Sean Fuhrer pictured with DPE Dave Monroe!
New Private Pilot:
Max Sexton – June 28, 2018
A huge congratulations to Max Sexton, who passed his private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFI, Sean Fuhrer!
New Solo:
Matt Zimolzak – June 25, 2018
A huge congratulations to Matt Zimolzak, who completed his first solo in Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to his CFII, Mike Biewenga!
New CFI:
Alex Priester – June 23, 2018
A huge congratulations to Alex Priester, who passed his CFI checkride! Here he is alongside DPE Skip Goss!
New Solo:
Marcus Maschietto – June 5, 2018
A huge congratulations to Marcus Maschietto, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to his CFII Joe Zubay!
New Private Pilot:
Tyler Helsom – June 4, 2018
A huge congratulations to Tyler Helsom, who completed his private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to his CFI Sean Fuhrer pictured with DPE Dave Monroe!
New Solo:
Gus Johnson – May 16, 2018
A huge congratulations to Gus Johnson, who completed his first solo in Piper Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to his CFI Sean Fuhrer!
New Private Pilot:
Chris Cunningham – May 8, 2018
A huge congratulations to Chris Cunningham, who completed his private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N4627F! A big thanks to his CFI Jim Fellers, as well as DPE Gail Lapook!
New Solo:
Cullen Chudik – May 4, 2018
A huge congratulations to Cullen Chudik, who completed his first solo! A big thanks to his CFI, Tom Laughlin!
New Private Pilot:
Jarrett Natrop – April 27, 2018
A huge congratulations to Jarrett Natrop, who completed his private pilot checkride in Piper Warrior N32403! A big thanks to his CFII Mike Biewenga, as well as DPE Gail Lapook!
New Solo:
Jerry Thomas – April 10, 2018
A huge congratulations to Jerry Thomas, who completed his SECOND solo in Cessna N456ER! A big thanks to his CFII, Jim Fellers!
New CFI Rating:
Nathan Hartley – March 25, 2018
A huge congratulations to Nathan Hartley, who passed his CFI checkride in N33815! A big thanks to his CFII, Mike Biewenga and DPE Ron Ridenour!
New Commercial Checkride:
Kollin Stagnito – March 21, 2018
A huge congratulations to Kollin Stagnito, who passed his commercial checkride in N33815! A big thanks to his CFI, Kyle Oligney as well as DPE Gail Lapook!
New Private Pilot:
Kelsey Flannery – March 17, 2018
A huge congratulations to Kelsey Flannery, who completed her private pilot checkride in N43020! A big thanks to her CFI, Kyle Oligney as well as DPE Gail Lapook!
New Solo:
Dominic Green – February 22, 2018
A huge congratulations to Dominic Green, who completed his first solo in N32403! A big thanks to his CFII, Mike Biewenga!
Instrument Rating:
Marty Stanton – February 2, 2018
A huge congratulations to Marty Stanton, who passed his instrument rating! Also a big thanks to his CFII, Mike Biewenga and DPE Gail LaPook!
New Private Pilot:
Hamlet Fasliu – February 2, 2018
A huge congratulations to Hamlet Fasliu, who passed his private pilot checkride in N456ER! Also a big thanks to his CFI, Tom Laughlin!
New Commercial Checkride:
Alex Priester – January 13, 2018
A huge congratulations to Alex Priester, who passed his commercial checkride in Piper Arrow N33815! Also a big thanks to his CFI, Kyle Oligney and DPE Gail Lapook!
New Private Pilot:
Jeff Lilly – January 9, 2018
A huge congratulations to Jeff Lilly, who passed his private pilot checkride in N456ER! Also a big thanks to his CFII/ Chief Flight Instructor, Jim Fellers!
Gold Seal Flight Instructor:
Mike Biewenga
The FAA recognized our very own CFI Mike Biewenga as a Gold Seal Flight Instructor!
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Flight School
Blue Skies Flying Services’ instructors are some of the greatest instructors in the industry. We pride ourselves on making our students feel like part of the Blue Skies family while flight training and continue with us afterwards. While training at Blue Skies Flying Services you will have access to some of the industry’s leading aircrafts. Blue Skies also has a FAA approved simulator that can be used during Instrument training.
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Aircraft Rental
Our superbly maintained fleet of aircraft range in complexity from single-engine 2-seat trainers to 6-seat, all-weather, aircrafts. Our aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art avionic—most planes have GPS, autopilot, are 4/6-place intercoms, and are less than 10 years old.
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Aircraft Maintenance
For over 20 years, Blue Skies Flying Services has been in the aircraft maintenance business, servicing single engine, multi-engine, turbo prop, and even turbine aircraft. Need and Annual Inspection, GPS updates, aircraft detail, or just some air in the tires, stop in and see the guys in the maintenance shop. Let Blue Skies handle your aircraft maintenance needs.
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