Paragon Flight Training, based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized by The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest aviation association, as a Distinguished Flight School.

The AOPA award is based on flight training experience surveys completed in the fall of 2022 by students and pilots of all experience levels who collectively evaluated 608 different flight schools and 1,153 individual flight instructors. Paragon Flight Training President and owner Chris Schoensee was thrilled to receive news of the company’s latest award.  

“This award, above all others, means the most to our team because it is direct feedback from our students on their training program,” said Paragon Flight Training President and owner Chris Schoensee. “At Paragon, the student experience is at the heart of every decision and investment we make. To receive the AOPA Distinguished Flight School honor multiple times over the years indicates that we are staying true to our commitment of offering an exceptional training experience, even through periods of tremendous growth as we saw in 2022.”

The AOPA student and pilot surveys were conducted in a year that saw Paragon Flight making impactful enhancements to its training capabilities, including:

The introduction of the FAA-approved Professional Pilot Program (P3). Designed for full-time students, it can be completed in as few as seven months, with fewer required hours and at a very competitive price.  

The modernization of its fleet, with the purchase of 10 new Piper P100i aircraft and the Piper Seminole, multi-engine trainer.

New funding programs that make flight training more accessible for a broader range of students.

The Flight Training Experience Survey was created to highlight the best flight training the industry has to offer, noting awardees’ high standards of accomplishment and commitment to a positive training experience.