Why a Brownsville resident built a flight school for his daughter — and others

A Brownsville father who put his own dreams of becoming a pilot on hold to help his daughter take flight has opened a new aviation school at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport.

The Flight Academy of South Texas (FAST) offers a pathway to becoming a certified private pilot, commercial pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with different training requirements, depending on the license.

FAST students earn their certification through the Part 61 program, which allows pilots-in-training to complete their online courses and flight hours at their own pace. But according to owner Jorge Whitley, trainees can expect to get in the air on their first day. 

Jorge Whitley opened the academy to help his daughter, Fernanda Whitley, earn her certification after she spent three years as a pilot-in-training.

The Brownsville native used to attend a different flight school, but she kept running into obstacles that prevented her from completing her hours, even going a year without flying. Eventually, Jorge Whitley decided that their best course of action was to open his own flight academy.

“Well, she’s my little girl, so I see to it that she gets what she needs,” the FAST owner said. “We tried flight training here in the Valley, and we noticed that it was a constant battle because either the airplane was out for maintenance or her [instructor] had to move on, and she wasn’t getting the instruction that she needed. So, I got a little frustrated and decided to start my own school.”

The FAST owner is no stranger to running a business. He operates several outlets in the ethanol and construction industries in the U.S. and Mexico. And as the son of a pilot, he’s no stranger to aviation either.  

Jorge Whitley was in the middle of trying to earn his private pilot license when he noticed his daughter struggling to find her way in life after graduating from college. He suggested Fernanda join him on an introductory flight to see if the career path might interest her. Once up in the air, she knew she had found her place. 

The 26-year-old likened the feeling to driving a car for the first time and experiencing a new sense of freedom and control.

“It’s like a zen feeling for me,” she said. “I didn’t feel anxious about it. I felt so calm, like, ‘This is exactly what I’m supposed to do.’”

Fernanda Whitley recalled her grandpa’s stories about being a pilot, but she never considered it a possible career for herself until her introductory flight, also known as a discovery flight.

“I thought it was always cool, but I never thought that was like an actual thing that I could do. I had only ever seen male pilots,” she said. “I thought it would be expensive, and it’s not something that I ever thought I could do, especially here in the Valley. I thought I would have to go out of state to do these things.” 

Although the Flight Academy of South Texas isn’t the only aviation school in the Rio Grande Valley, Jorge Whitley wanted it to be the premier school, known for its cutting-edge technology. 

At FAST, students fly a 2024 Tecnam P-Mentor, a two-seat composite airplane with flat-panel touch screens and economic advantages. 

Most flight schools train with a Cessna 172, a four-seat aircraft that has largely maintained the same design for the past 70 years. But Jorge Whitley wanted an upgrade for the Brownsville academy. 

“We decided to go with a state-of-the-art aircraft,” the FAST owner said. “It gives our students the opportunity to learn on what they’re going to see in the real world and the commercial world.”

Additionally, FAST has a virtual reality simulator, which the U.S. Air Force Academy also uses to train its pilots. 

Time in the air is precious and costly, Jorge Whitely said. However, students can use the simulator to practice before taking flight.

The cost to join FAST includes a $1,500 downpayment, which covers ground material, simulator use, and the first hour of aircraft instruction. After the first hour, flights cost $250 per hour. 

Fernanda Whitley acknowledged that flight school has a high price point, and she’s grateful for her father’s support.

Ultimately, Jorge Whitley set his dreams aside, but he doesn’t regret his decision. He said he feels fulfilled in watching his daughter and other students follow their path.

“With me, if it happens, it happens. If not, I know that I’m giving this opportunity to my community and to other kids in my community,” he said. “So, my license isn’t as important as my child’s and the other students here in the Valley.”