CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Embarking on a journey into the skies isn’t just about mastering the art of flight — it’s about unlocking a world of boundless possibilities. At Randon Aviation, a new flight school opening at KSGU in St. George, the allure extends far beyond the cockpit. It’s a gateway to adventure, a pathway to career fulfillment and an opportunity to join an elite community of aviators who soar above the ordinary.
Promotional image courtesy of Randon Aviation, St. George News
“You get to travel the world,” Randon Russell, owner of flight school Randon Aviation, said. “Your office is at 30,000 feet.” “You’re flying planes across the world into different airports under different weather conditions. It’s exciting.”
Considering a career as a professional pilot but want to know for sure? Randon Aviation offers demonstration flights. Picture this: Instructors take students on a 30-minute flight, which gives them the chance to grab the controls and feel the rush of flying firsthand. It’s the perfect sneak peek into the pilot’s life before diving into enrollment.
No money? No problem. Students can obtain loans via Meritize, a company that considers merits and good deeds when establishing interest rates. Merits include military service, academic careers and church volunteer work such as LDS missions. Meritize alleviates the burden of upfront payments, enabling students to pursue the program without immediate financial strain. Once they transition into an instructor role, reduced payments kick in. Full payments commence once they secure pilot positions.
“It’s really all-inclusive,” Randon Aviation General Manager Brennan Frost said. “The package is designed where students can come in with zero experience, zero knowledge, no textbooks, no prior exposure to aviation and be set up for success.” They get everything from headsets to iPads to flight charts – everything they need to go from no experience to an instructor and eventually a professional pilot.”
Promotional image courtesy of Randon Aviation, St. George News
Air travel is increasing, resulting in airlines quickly expanding. That opens up a significant amount of career opportunities. For students interested in corporate flying, opportunities are available to pilot aircraft for private corporations, often operating from more secluded airports. They also welcome recreational flyers who enjoy flying for leisure.
“We’ve sent students up to Alaska to be bush pilots and to Hawaii to be freight dogs,” Russell said. “If you love to fly, you can find a way that will match what you want to do.”
No need to wait for a fall or summer course to begin. Students who complete an aviation medical certificate and obtain funding can choose from monthly start dates.
The doors to Randon Aviation are expected to open on Aug. 1. They plan to enroll students prior to the opening date and have several new planes available. They intend to organize monthly group flights, where students can enjoy flying to various destinations together.
“We’ve set this up as an accelerated program to get them through very quick,” Russell said. “If you go to college, it’ll take you anywhere from three to four years. We’ve set it up where you can get through between a year and a year and a half.”
With a fun and engaging approach, Randon Aviation accompanies students every step of the way, making learning an adventure in itself. Leveraging connections with major airlines and corporate connections like SkyWest, PlaneSense and Alpine Air, they pave the runway for success. They’re proud to be partners with the local aerial imagery company JAV Imagery.
Promotional image courtesy of Randon Aviation, St. George News
As the proud owner of the school, Russell started his pilot journey 25 years ago. Initially setting his sights on a career with airlines, his journey through flight school took an unexpected turn. Fourteen years ago, he decided to chart a different course, founding his own flight school in West Jordan — a testament to his passion for aviation and entrepreneurial spirit. Randon Aviation has been flying high ever since.
Starting with Randon Russell teaching flight lessons at unexpected places like a McDonald’s and borrowing planes, they’ve grown to operate a fleet of 16 aircraft. Now, they’re expanding to St. George where Russell sees an opportunity to offer their specialized flight training program in a place where it’s currently unavailable.
Following extensive market research and engaging with the Washington County community via social media channels, they discovered a significant demand in Southern Utah. Despite an existing flight school catering predominantly to military personnel, there was a notable gap — a lack of an affordable, accelerated training option for others in the area.
“This is a great opportunity to bring this to people and help them pursue their dreams,” Russell said.
No matter your aviation aspirations, connect with an enrollment specialist at Randon Aviation to chat about your dreams taking flight.
Written by JESSI BANG for St. George News.
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Resources
Randon Aviation | Address: 4196 S. Airport Parkway #53G, St. George | Telephone: 877-737-9887 | Website.
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