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Demand for pilot training, services said to be growing
Aviation training and maintenance business Northwest Flight Service, of Spokane, is looking to spread its wings, as demand for pilot training and rentals or purchase of planes for business travel continues to increase, says its owner Bill lift.
Northwest Flight Service was created through the combined services of two local aviation brands: Aircraft Solutions and Northwest Flight School.
The company, which Ifft launched in early 2012 as Aircraft Solutions LLC, originally specialized in maintenance and support of Cirrus Aircraft pistonpowered general aviation planes.
In 2013, Northwest Flight School was added as an aviation training facility for both private and commercial pilot training, as well as aircraft rental services.
Ifft says the business moved its operations to Felts Field in 2015 from its previous location at Spokane International Airport and combined its two brands under one name this past January.
"Our maintenance and flight school have been connected since the beginning, but by combining them under the Northwest Flight Service umbrella, we felt that it would simplify our corporate identity," he says.
Now, with continuing demand for skilled pilots, flight instructors, and business aircraft, Ifft says he expects to grow the business, although it's currently constrained by lack of space.
'There is, currently, a limited amount of space available for aircraft storage, offices, and maintenance," he says. "I'd love to see 100 percent growth, but the infrastructure won't support it at this time."
Northwest Flight Service has three buildings for its operations, including a 10,000-square-foot maintenance hangar at 5503 E. Rutter, on the southwest end of Felts Field, and a 6,OOO-square-foot aircraft storage hangar on the eastern side of the airfield.
The business's offices, which include flight school classrooms, simulators, and testing spaces, share a building and common lobby space with Western Aviation at 6095 E. Rutter, about midway between the other facilities, on the south side of the airfield.
Ifft says Northwest Flight Service's business offerings are divided between the flight school and its maintenance operations.
He says the business has a total of 22 employees, 13 flight school instructors, three mechanics, and a six-person office staff who alternate their...