This is the first of what we hope will be many blog posts here on the In The Pattern website. It seemed fitting to begin at the beginning and share a little about how ITP got started.
Back in 2015, we purchased our first airplane, Gertie N7678W. At the time, there was not a thought to start a flight school and/or aviation services business. My brother Darren (and business partner) just wanted to own an airplane we could enjoy, and he could learn to fly in. Not long after we bought it however, a friend asked if he could rent the airplane. That simple question turned into an opportunity, and we decided to make it happen.
We enjoyed the experience enough that a short time later we added a second airplane; Princess Lime N8431L. From there, things began to grow. What started with a single airplane and a simple idea gradually evolved into the organization we have today.
Over the years, we’ve been incredibly blessed with an amazing team of instructors, staff, and maintenance professionals who care deeply about aviation and about helping students succeed. Together we’ve built something special that has grown well beyond what we originally imagined.
Along the way, our team has been honored to be recognized as AOPA’s Best Flight School in the Nation three times, along with receiving numerous other awards and industry recognitions. Those honors mean a great deal to us, but they represent something much bigger than the flight school itself. They reflect the collective effort of an incredible team and a supportive community around us. Our students, customers, and their families are a very important part of that story. We consider them partners in the success we’ve experienced over the years, and those recognitions belong to them just as much as they do to our instructors and staff. As we often say around here, the ITP Family is made up of many people who contribute to making this place what it is.
Around here you’ll often hear us say “Experience Aviation.” That phrase reflects what we believe flight training and flying in general should be at In The Pattern. Learning to fly should be more than checking boxes or logging hours. It should be an immersive and meaningful experience that builds confidence and connects people to aviation in a lasting way.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think how something that started with one airplane and a favor for a friend has grown into what In The Pattern is today. And the best part is that the story is still being written.
