Event to Highlight Success of Cutting-Edge Flight School Training Veterans
San Marcos, Tex. – Coast Flight Training, the San Diego-based company that recruits and trains veteran helicopter pilots to fly commercial airlines, began operating at San Marcos Regional Airport in January 2017 with three employees and three aircraft. After less than a year in operation, Coast is proud to announce it has taken delivery of its 40th training aircraft. With a staff of now 24, Coast maintains an average student count of 70-90 veterans per month. Daily flight operations consist of 80-100 hours per day with an additional 50-75 hours in ground school.
Monthly aircraft traffic counts for San Marcos Regional Airport have doubled since training began. Fuel sales for last quarter were up by 102% from the same period in 2016.
WHAT
Coast Flight Training, Texas Aviation Partners, and the City of San Marcos will host a small celebratory gathering to commemorate the delivery of Coast’s 40th aircraft. Coast Flight’s Rotary Transition Program (RTP) focuses on training U.S. Military helicopter pilots who are transitioning to in-demand careers as civilian airline pilots. Pilots who attend the program have already received a conditional offer of employment with Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines. Completion of the training is a stipulation of their agreement with Envoy Air, and is part of the airline industry’s answer to the looming national pilot shortage.
WHEN
Thursday, October 12; 3:00 p.m.
WHERE
San Marcos Regional Airport
Coast Flight Training
1837 Airport Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666
WHO
The following individuals will be speaking at the event, and are available for interview following the ceremony:
• Dan Verda, Director of Operations and General Manager, Coast Flight Training RTP Facility
• Scott Gregson, San Marcos Councilmember, Airport Advisory Board Chairman
DETAILS
After the ceremony, Coast Flight will host an open house, which will include light snacks and tours of the aircraft and facility.
