Flying is more than operating an airplane – it about joining an elite community with a common passion. It is an honor to inspire this passion and assist our clients in reaching their goals. Our Mission Statement sums up our philosophy: To provide the highest quality of flight training through opportunities to develop experience in a safe, efficient and fun environment.
In the wake of the 2008 recession, the aviation industry was hit particularly hard. Airlines retracted, resulting in the laying off of thousands of employees, and general aviation activity plummeted. Flight schools in particular found themselves competing over a dwindling number of clients, forcing many out of business.
At the time, Gordon and Bradley were employed as pilots at Alaska Airlines, but they were not immune to the economic downturn. In 2009 they were furloughed for an indefinite period until the industry recovered. Jobs were scarce, so they turned to their one area of expertise - flight training.
Flight schools were struggling and not hiring, so they joined a small flying club at Boeing Field, teaching other members as independent instructors. Reputation quickly grew and soon they had a waiting list of students wanting to learn from experienced airline pilots. However, they found themselves limited by a client base of club members, available aircraft and club restrictions. For operational control they leased a training aircraft and Rainier Flight Service was born. One aircraft quickly became three, and other instructors started taking notice. Rainier Flight soon had several experienced, professional instructors while developing a reputation for quality, safety and value.
To scale the fledgling business, a small facility and aircraft parking ramp were secured at nearby Renton Airport in 2011. Additional aircraft and staff enabled steady growth while other local flight schools closed their doors. Recognizing the need for economical but modern training aircraft, Rainier began acquiring training aircraft equipped with the latest technology and safety features.
By 2014, they had outgrown their small office and leased a larger facility next door, complete with hangar and fuel equipment. This provided far greater operational control while bringing the two largest costs, aircraft maintenance and fuel, in house. For the next several years, Rainier continued steady growth while developing Next Gen training curriculum, drawing from decades of experience in commercial aviation.
Today, Rainier Flight is the largest flight school in Washington State and nationally recognized as a leader in the training industry.
