Who we are, What we do & Why we do it

Air Ventures Flying School was founded in 2010, from a desire to teach flying differently. All too often flight schools are either cold, uninviting places that may not want you there unless the walled is open, or a good old boy network where outsiders who find their way through the door are met by scowling looks and silence.

 

At Air Ventures Flying School we support a positive educational environment and active pilot community where pilots learn from each other and grow, no matter if they are in one of our wildly popular ground schools, taking a lesson with an instructor, or just hanging out on a rainy day. We love to be here, and we want you to love to be here too!

The people behind the props.

Frank Sherman | Flight Instructor Extraordinaire

 

Mr. Sherman has been at the North Central State Airport since it opened in 1951. He has been a pilot since he was 15 years old, and now boasts more than 10,000 hours of flight time exclusively in single engine general aviation airplanes. As a well respected member of the aviation community Mr. Sherman can often be found teaching FAA Safety seminars throughout the region. He has been working at Air Ventures Flying School since 2012 and is a key part of the operation, bringing industry expertise and a tremedous amount of flight experience to the table.

 

Mr. Sherman has been in love with aviation since he saw his first airplane. He still holds the same enthusiasm for flight now as when he took his first lesson.

Doug Auclair | Master Flight Instructor

 

Doug started flying in 2005 when he decided that a life chained to a desk in an office cubicle just wouldn't suit him. He started working as a flight instructor in 2008 and has been able to fly throughout the country making friends and spreading his enthusiasm for all things aviation.  As an avid member of the Rhode Island aviation community, Doug can be spotted at the monthly meetings of the Rhode Island Pilot Association, the RI General Aviation Working Group, and monthly FAA Safety Seminars, for which he has also served as a guest speaker.  He is the President of the Rhode Island chapter of the IMC Club, and hosts monthly meetings at Air Ventures Flight School. 

 

Doug has the distinction of achieving the NAFI Master Flight Instructor designation from the longest running and most prestigious FAA accredited program in the industry. He is also a CSIP (Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot) and an avid skydiver.

Gary Eich | Flight Instructor

 

Gary has been at Air Ventures since 2016 and is both a Certificated Flight Instructor and a business professional, consulting with 4 companies in the area.  He has been flying for 25 years, has over 1000 hours of total time, and more than 250 hours of dual given!  He knows the challenges of primary training, as it took him 5 years to get his Private Pilot's License in the late 1990’s due to job changes, relocation and weather. 

 

Gary believes there is a firm lesson plan for every flight, and every flight is full of learning moments. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing a student is ready to solo!

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Eli Mitchell | Flight Instructor

 

Eli Mitchell started and finished his flying Career with Air Ventures in 2014 and successfully completed his Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument rating, Commercial rating and Certified Flight Instructor ratings!

 

Eli is a really good pilot, but hes also really good at playing the cello and sometimes preforms in cello quartets! Now he's here and available to teach YOU how to fly and make your dreams a reality!

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Tyler Michienzi  | Flight Instructor

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Tyler grew up close by in Attleboro, Ma and started flying with Air Ventures in March of 2016 and quickly completed his Private Pilots Certificate by August 2016. After that he left for school at Embry Riddle where he completed his Instrument and Commercial ratings. Dedicated as he was, he earned his Certified Flight Instructors rating in New Smyrna, FL in May 2019!

 

What Tyler tells us he loves about flying is the amazing views and endless places it can take you around the world, as well as how passion filled the industry is. As a fun side note, Tyler loves music and to play the Guitar. You might catch him playing sometime in our Pilot's lounge if you're lucky!

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Nemo | Vicious Guard Dog (yes he's people too)

Rest in peace

Dec 18th, 2002 - Dec 27th, 2015 (13)

 

Nemo was a fixture, and big part of our flight schools community. He traveled to work with Doug almost every day for his 13 year life. He was a work dog.

 

 He passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 27th, 2015. He was loved by many, and is greatly missed. We will always remember him.