Our training center in Orlando, Florida
There are many reasons to choose AeroStar, including the following:
- AeroStar allows you to GET A TYPE RATING FAST ! You can get an Airbus or Boeing Type Rating in as little as 10 days! Our unique Virtual Distant Learning course allows you to complete most of the ground school requirements on your personal computer at your pace on your time.
- Join our online live video professor or schedule a personalized online training session hosted by a real Airbus or Boeing Instructor Pilot. The online video professor allows you to interact with the instructor and other students in a virtual classroom as you explore a Virtual flight deck simulation together (included with training package at no extra cost.)
- Virtual Flight Deck software with 100% free play and flight simulation puts a fully functional Airbus flight deck at your fingertips right on your personal computer, (every: light, switch, button, and indicator works in real time just like the actual aircraft). No one else offers this unique software as part of their courses.
- AeroStar’s Instructor Team is comprised solely of highly experienced Airbus and Boeing pilots who have logged thousands of hours both flying and teaching these unique aircraft. Our instructors have been selected to join the AeroStar training team because of their passion for providing personalized training and their ability to help customers succeed.
The biggest reason to choose AeroStar is the people on our team, all of whom are dedicated to the success of your aviation career. We do more than provide flight training – we put a powerful group of professionals with aviation experience on your side!
To introduce a few of the people of AeroStar:
David Santo – Owner & Founder
One of AeroStar’s two founders Captain Santo has accumulated over 12,000 flight hours and is currently serving as an A320 Captain for a major U.S. airline, Dave is typed in Boeing B-727, Boeing B747-400, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Learjet, CE-550 (Cessna Citation), HF -320 (Hansa Jet) and has served in positions as Assistant Chief Pilot, Check Airman, Delivery Pilot, Accident Investigator, Simulator Instructor, Training Center Evaluator for four part 121 airlines. Captain Santo has previous experience developing, managing and constructing training programs and facilities from inception to completion. Dave is an alumni of Southern Illinois University, The Citadel, and Cochise College. He is currently an active member of Vistage and the Soaring Society of America.
Royce M. Jones – Owner and Founder
One of AeroStar’s two successful founders, Royce is currently serving in the capacity as Chief Executive Officer for AeroStar. Serving in various management positions within the AeroStar organization he has provided vision and direction from the start-up and continuing success of this dynamic company. His specialty in selecting, managing and guiding progressive leadership teams to achieve strategic company objectives has resulted in targeted and effective results for AeroStar. In addition to his management and entrepreneurial background Royce has an extensive leadership background in aviation serving in various management capacities such as Flight Department Manager, Director of Operations, and Chief Pilot. These previous positions have entailed overseeing day to day operations, developing and managing air carrier and training certificates from inception to completion, and managing flight crews for transport category aircraft. In addition to his leadership role at AeroStar, Royce is currently serving as an A320 Captain for a major U.S. airline. Royce has accumulated over 12,000 flight hours in transport category aircraft and is type rated in the Boeing B747-400, Airbus A320, Douglas DC-9, and Sabreliner N265. Royce received formal aviation training at Cochise College and Arizona State University.
Dave Hensley – Training Center Manager and Director of Training Services
Dave Hensley is the Training Center Manager and Director of Training Services for Aerostar. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with extensive commander experience in both high altitude reconnaissance and jet training operations. He is a graduate of the USAF Academy and also earned a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction from South Dakota State University. His military flying career includes experience as a WC-130 “Typhoon Chaser” weather reconnaissance pilot, a T-38 “Talon” advanced jet instructor and evaluator, as well as a U-2/TR-1 “Dragon Lady” instructor/evaluator. After a full military flying career, Dave retired and continued to fulfill his passion for aviation as a flight instructor. He was a flight academy Part 141 Chief Instructor and also a Part 142 Training Center Evaluator. He is a FAA Gold Seal flight instructor and also holds the National Association of Flight Instructor’s Master Flight Instructor designation. He has over 10,000 flight hours with over 5000 hours of dual instruction given and holds an Airline Transport Pilot license.
Deidra Toye – Director of Admissions
Deidra Toye is the Acting Director of Admissions for Aerostar Training Services. Her career in aviation began over nine years ago at American Flyers in Kissimmee, Florida where she served as Office Manager. Since that time, Deidra has worked for other reputable flight training organizations and is experienced in Part 141, 142, 135, 91, and 61 operations. Deidra’s passion for aviation and extensive background make her a truly irreplaceable member of the Aerostar team.
Majid Khokar – Training Center Coordinator
As assistant to the Director of Training, Majid is responsible for maintaining student records and training schedules, and also provides seat support during training when necessary.
Majid is type rated in the A-320, CE-750 and is a CFII and MEI with 3300 hrs flying time. With Majids passion for aviation and instructing,he makes a great asset to AeroStars training department.
Kevin Teeter – Flight Instructor
Kevin began flying in 2003 while attending high school in Bryant, Arkansas. He attended college at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and graduated from the Daytona Beach campus with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Science.
After college, Kevin moved to Orlando where he is currently flight instructing at the Executive Airport.
Paul Proffett – Flight Instructor
Captain Proffett has accumulated over 14,000 hours flying Airbus A-320, Boeing B-737, CASA 212 and Embraer EMB-110, EMB-120 aircraft. Captain Proffett has served in positions as Check Airman, Flight Test Captain, Delivery Captain, Aircrew Program Designee, Simulator Instructor, Training Center Evaluator and Captain for various well known airlines such as JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, WinAir Airlines and Air South Airlines. Captain Proffett has previous experience developing, managing and constructing training programs and facilities from inception to completion. Captain Proffett has also served as an FAA Air Traffic Controller in high density Terminal and Center facilities.
Thomas C. Hutchins – Flight Instructor
Captain Hutchins has accumulated over 20,000 hours flying Airbus A-320, Boeing B-737, BBJ, B-757, B767, Douglas DC-3, Fokker FH-227 and Nihon YS-11 aircraft. Captain Hutchins has served in positions as Chief Pilot, Director of Training, Check Airman, Designated Examiner, Simulator Instructor and Captain for various well known airlines and companies such as Flight Safety International, Pace Airlines, Air South Airlines, USAir and Piedmont Airlines. Captain Hutchins also served in the United States Army flying UH-1D aircraft.
About AeroStar
AEROSTAR TRAINING SERVICES is a registered Limited Liability Corporation with the singular goal of providing high quality training services to the global aviation industry.
As a values based organization, AEROSTAR understands that our people are our greatest asset. We believe that supporting and empowering these people is our organizations formula for success. A success that delivers team filtered, tangible, timely, and cost effective results to our customers.
AEROSTAR TRAINING SERVICES is a subsidiary of AEROSTAR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, a diversified aviation organization offering a myriad of professional services including:
- Pilot Recruitment and Placement
- Operations and Safety Auditing
- Technical Publication Development and support
- Air Carrier Certification assistance
- ATOS Compliance assistance
- IOSA pre and post audit assistance
- Pilot Type Certification
- Flight Attendant and Cabin Hostess
- Asset Management
- Aircraft acquisition and pre buy services
- FAR 91, 135 and 125 placement and management services
All of our services are supported by a consortium of airline and business professionals who deliver synergistic solutions for a dynamic global industry.
What we do
AEROSTAR TRAINING SERVICES is an FAA Approved Part 142 Training Center specializing in pilot and flight attendant training utilizing the latest advances in aviation training technology. This, coupled with exceptional customer service provides a rewarding and enjoyable training experience based on a belief in our company values.
Please feel free to explore our website to discover more about our services tailored to exceed your expectations regarding aviation training.
AeroStar Training
AeroStar was was founded in 2008 by a team of experienced airline pilots with a vision that aviation training should be realistic, state of the art, and provide an enjoyable learning experience. The team focused on a goal to provide state-of-the-art flight training using the most timely and cost effective approach.
AeroStar is pleased to be the launch customer for Aerosim, the developer of the latest State-of-the-Art flight training software on the market. Aerosim filled the missing link between traditional computer based training (CBT) and full flight simulators by designing a new kind of PC-based simulation trainer, equipped with full free-play functions and realistic cockpit environments. Our market evaluation discovered that this software program surpassed all others in the market in terms of functionality and performance. As a result, AeroStar has implemented this training tool into our curriculum.
