Flight Student Testimonials
BJC Broomfield Location
Independence is extremely professional and everyone there is really nice! I really enjoyed learning with Sidney Goodrich and found the planes to be safe and well cared for.
– Itamar Lewin, March 2026
Centennial Location
I’ve been curious about flying for years and the discovery flight was such a great introduction. Sydney was a fantastic instructor/pilot and really made sure I was completely comfortable with what we were doing. It was such a comprehensive/immersive experience. Just being in the front seat for the first time took some getting used to, but Sydney made it feel so routine! I could not have had a better introduction and can’t wait to continue my education with Independence.
– Ian Gordon, Feb 2026
BJC Broomfield Location
IA and Sidney are doing a great job with my Cirrus Flight Instruction. The Cirrus Approach method is outstanding! The whole program is complete and well organized. I never have to wonder what I should be reading/studying next resulting in very little wasted flight time.
– Mark Malone, Oct 2025
BJC Broomfield Location
As a Texan, flying in the mountains was a new experience for me. Thus I was looking to take a Mountain Flying Course in my Cirrus SR22T before venturing out Solo. Reached out to Independence Aviation at BJC and was paired up with Kelsey for three days of intensive flying, hitting some buck list airports for me. I’ve flown with a lot of Cirrus Instructors over the years and Kelsey was great….knowledgable about both the plane and the local terrain and procedures. She also provided me with a ton of references that I now have to enhance the mountain flying experience. Their facility was great as well. Would highly recommend!
– Mike Berg, Aug 2025
BJC Broomfield Location
Independence Aviation is a topnotch organization. I have flown with several of their instructor pilots over the years and each has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, instructional ability and aircraft knowledge. Their Cirrus aircraft fleet is first rate, mostly G6 models but also with some new G7 models. I’m currently training at their Rocky Mountain Metro (KBJC). The location is very convenient for anyone on the northern side of Denver. The office staff has been very helpful with any scheduling issues that I’ve encountered. If you’re interested in obtaining a pilots license or want to upgrade to a high performance single, I would highly recommend contacting them.
– Mark Stanley, July 2025
Centennial Location
The team at Independence Aviation is phenomenal. Not only do they provide some of the best equipment that you will ever rent or possibly own, but they also provide white glove service to their members. Book your flight and they will have the plane waiting for you to preflight in a hangar, with all the fuel, fluids and O2 topped. Enjoy your flight and then park, drop off the key and walk away. It doesn’t get simpler than that. Their aircraft specific simulators will aid to keep you current and cockpit familiar and their focus on safety, currency and training will make you confident that you can fly in Colorado and beyond. I am so happy that I did my transition training through Independence Aviation and now enjoy their beautiful planes and their terrific people who make it such a pleasure to fly.
– Michael Plante, May 2025
Centennial Location
I came to Independence Aviation (IA) as an instrument rated pilot two years ago and began training on the Cirrus platforms. I was trained on the SR20 and SR22T platforms and eventually also gained my Commercial ticket via the IA instructors.
From a safety perspective, the parachute and the redundancy built into Cirrus has become a requirement for me and my family. Knowing this exists, how could I fly my family in anything else?
IA has the best (only?) training and rental fleet in Colorado with the latest models that are meticulously maintained. Their equipment, training methods and instructors are all top notch and Cirrus certified. The Cirrus Approach online training courses and videos are clearly the best in the industry. The Cirrus company, online training, hands on training with highly qualified partners like IA, and support for Cirrus owners and renters, is all one well crafted ecosystem. I haven’t seen this from any other manufacturer.
I’m sold on IA and Cirrus to keep me and my family flying high, fast and SAFE for many years to come.
– Mike Heene, April 2025
Centennial Location
Just wanted to take a moment and comment on the exceptional experience I had over the last couple of weeks with Keilidh!
I can’t imagine what kind of holiday season this was for Keilidh – dealing with issues with tail number, to losing the #2 Alt enroute home for the holidays, to dealing with some very challenging weather and ever changing plans. Remaining flexible, steadfast and professional through these events, Keilidh did an amazing job finding creative ways to make sure the training got done. I most enjoyed how on top of communication she remained, never calling without having thorough updates, options and recommendations.
High winds kept us pinned down in Atlantic City trying to get home – and I really appreciate her perseverance and always wonderful and customer centric attitude. Keilidh made purchasing and training in the Cirrus a remarkable and unforgettable experience. Needless to say, Keilidh represented Independence Aviation very well, even in what most would consider, very challenging and unrelenting circumstances.
– Clark Lowe, Jan 2025
Visited from NY to take IA’s mountain flying course
JANUARY 2021
I would like to share my mountain flying experience with I.A. I took a 3-day mountain flying course at Independence Aviation with Stephen Slade in January 2021. I learned more new procedures and skills than my last 100 hours of flight. We landed at Leadville, Telluride, Steamboat, Aspen, and a few landings at Eagle since Eagle would be my base for next several weeks. They were all challenging airports. Stephan was very accommodating for my requests.
After completing the course, I feel comfortable going in and out of airports, managing risks and making go/no go decisions in the mountains. If you are a flatlander like me coming from New York, this is a MUST course before you venture into the mountains by yourself.
Best regards,
Spike Ishikawa
I traveled from Iowa for IA’s mountain flying course
October 10, 2020
Jason Dierking flew this rainy instrument approach into Colorado’s Telluride Airport with IA Instructor Stephen Slade during his mountain training course.I meant to do this sooner but even a few months after the fact I still reflect on the mountain flying course I took through IA as one of the most valuable experiences in my ten years of flying. Stephen Slade was an amazing professional to work with. The forecast VFR weather turned out to be IFR over the central Rockies that day but we completed a challenging day of mountain flying that involved actual instrument approaches into Telluride and Leadville (circle to land in actual conditions at Leadville!). I travelled all the way from Iowa to take this course and it was worth it and then some. Can’t say enough about Mr. Slade. A real class act and a consummate professional. The experience increased my confidence by leaps and bounds. I’m pretty much counting the days until I can do it again.
Sincerely,
Jason Dierking
Discovery flight with Angel Andres Rosado
August 30, 2020
After a short consultation at Independent Aviation and a quick tour of the facility, I was hooked to take the next step. My girlfriend and I decided to take a discovery flight to experience what a full training session would look like.
After being greeted at the door, our instructor Angel took us upstairs to take a spin on the simulator. This was a great tool to get familiar with the flight controls and systems. Angel was very patient as we veered on and off the taxiway. Once we got a hold of the controls we were in the air, virtually.
After feeling more confident we made our way to the tarmac where a beautiful SR22 was awaiting us. As a person who’s always dreamt of getting up close to an aircraft, this was a great experience to watch and help the instructor as he went around the plane to explain all the surfaces and pre-flight checks. Angel spent more than enough time with us and answered all of our questions, he was just as enthusiastic as we were! I stepped into the pilot seat, buckled in and got familiar with the systems. The glass panels of the Garmin avionics are fantastic. Engine started, we made our way to the runway, before we knew it, we were flying! After an hour of sight seeing and maneuvering, a lot of which Angel let me do, we headed back for a smooth landing. Back on the ground, Angel once again spent more than enough time sitting with us during the debrief.
This was such a great experience that I’m enrolling myself into IA’s Flight Training program. Thanks to Angel and Annmarie for helping us complete our dream!”
Sincerely,
Brady Kelce, Denver
Mountain flying with instructor Stephen Slade
August 24, 2020
Marilyn Bush and Independence Aviation Instructor Stephen Slade show off her freshly printed achievement certificate after having landed at Leadville, CO airport.
If you’re searching for mountain flying training, look no further! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Independence Aviation and Stephen Slade, CFI. Stephen created a learning plan focused on safe mountain flying and took my aviation skills to a new level. You’re guaranteed to have an experience like no other, in addition to meeting an all-around great pilot, instructor and one of our country’s best! Aim high!
Sincerely,
Marilyn Bush, St. Louis
Mountain flying instruction in my plane
August 11, 2020
I requested mountain flying training in my Cirrus SR22T and worked with Stephen Slade at Independence Aviation. Stephen provided ground school with all the critical terrain and weather basics. He then planned sessions (taking advantage of my planes capabilities) to various airports with progressive challenges. This was a fun and valuable experience for me and I now feel confident planning and flying to my favorite destinations in the mountains. Flights to Steamboat and Telluride were noteworthy. Stephen was knowledgeable, friendly and has all the attributes of a good instructor. He followed up with answers to a couple of outstanding questions in a professional manner. Stephen is my go-to instructor for any recurrent or additional mountain flying training.
Sincerely,
Mike K, Indiana
Mountain flying instruction in their plane + FBO services
July 22, 2020
Annmarie, Brendon,
Just wanted to thank you for the great experience yesterday. Kudos to Brendon for his professionalism, attendance to detail and insights. And overall thanks to IA for the smooth arrangements and set up. I hope to be back later this year to continue training, will stay in touch.
Sincerely,
E
Ground and flight training for insurance
June 24, 2020
Jeff and I would like to commend Bob Stedman, [Former] Pres. Independence Aviation (KAPA), for our required insurance ground and flight training. But let me add a little background.
Jeff began flying in 1985. He has 24 year of airline flying and is a B777 FO and CFI-ASMEL-INST. I began flying in 1965. I retired with 37 years with my company as a MD11 Captain. I am a Part 135 Beechjet Capt and CFI-ASMEL-INST. We are well versed in recurrent training.
Bob conducted ground school, simulator training and flight training (in our C340). We found all aspects of the syllabus he wrote and directed appropriate, educational and safety oriented. He did a great job.
If you get a chance to have Bob involved in your flight training rest assured you are with a professional.
Best regards,
Jeff Clark and Mike Healy
Complete proficiency approach program
January 4, 2019
The CPA program has changed the way I stay proficient. It instills confidence, knowing that my proficiency program is modeled after the ones used by the airlines and top corporate flight departments. In the CPA program, I know that I am working on the right skills and knowledge at the right intervals, using state-of-the art learning methods, with some of the best instructors I have ever flown with. It is exactly the program I had been waiting for.
Sincerely,
Martin K. Denver, CO
Cirrus pilots proficiency program pilot
March 13, 2018
I’d like to express my profound thanks to you for investing your time and heart in training us simians flying around up there in Cirrus’s, and for training me specifically. I learned more in 6 hours than I have in a decade. I was inspired by your wisdom and perspective. And then, you were kind enough to follow up with these emails with helpful manuals or checklists.
Sincerely,
Tom D. Raleigh, NC
Crosswind concepts SIM training success!
May 8, 2017
“Wouldn’t you know it: After my Crosswind Concepts sim training today I flew back to KANK at 3:30 from KAPA during the most convective activity of the day. Winds at my destination are generally below 10kts and about 30 degrees off the nose during most of my flight.
10 Minutes out they start to pick up, go 90 degrees to the runway and start gusting. By the time I’m ready to enter the pattern I have 18kts at 90 degrees to the runway with gusts to 27kts. The sound of those high numbers almost made me go around but I was lined up on the runway on final and able to hold a steady approach.
I eased into the slip, got the nose straight and just landed the plane on the centerline clean as you like. Mike, this would have been the 999 score I was working for on the sim. My plane is much more responsive than the sim and easier to control. I think that works in the pilot’s favor when they return to their own aircraft.
Thanks for helping me to build the confidence to manage bigger crosswinds than I’ve ever attempted before. Would recommend this program to ALL pilots everywhere.
Sincerely,
Walt Harder Salida, Colorado
Joining the TRACON tour
December 1, 2016
Thanks again for allowing me to join the group. It was a great chance for me to see what I always envisioned.
I would have thought that the room would have been much larger but then I didn’t realize they only cover the 52 miles around DEN. I was also amazed at how calm everyone was and willing to answer any questions we had. It was interesting to learn about the SID’s using the charts that they have set up and therefore freeing up time for the controllers. The interesting thing was that the one guy said not all pilots were familiar with it even after it has been in place for several years. I also will feel a little better about any vectors I receive as I know they are just keeping everyone safe. I do think the app game I have that simulates air traffic control is fairly realistic. The training only lasts about 45 hours but I realize that much more goes into that before they get to the Denver TRACON.
Thanks,
Clif
Simon M. from down under
November 17, 2016
Hi Chuck,
Thank you again for your generosity of time, knowledge and tales from your training past. You were wonderful company and I hope we can catch up again very soon in either Colorado or back here in Australia. I hope you have a great time in Sydney and your journey home is smoother than our bumpy trip of the Central West of NSW!
Regards,
Simon M.,Australia
TRACON tour
October 13, 2016
Thanks again for arranging and participating in the Denver TRACON tour!
I’ve been flying for quite a few years and have never taken the time for any control center tour.
It’s obviously very helpful to see what information the controllers see, their constraints, and how they communicate with and route the aircraft.
It’s also obvious that there’s a person on the other side of the microphone, but to talk in person to the actual people doing the work is invaluable. I now understand better how and why they do what they do, and have an appreciation for the “art of the possible” in our interactions from the cockpit.
Thanks again for making us better pilots,
Dave T.
Dream chaser flight test crew
October 7, 2016
Independence Aviation at Rocky Mountain Metro provides high quality, professionally maintained aircraft, enabling us to maintain flight currency with state of the art avionics systems – a necessary part of our roles in the Dream Chaser program.
Best regards,
Dream Chaser Flight Test Crew
No ground crew better at KAPA then this outfit
October 1, 2016
I recently earned my Instrument Rating through the commitment of my instructor (amazing guy) and the overall awareness and support of the entire team. I can tell you there is no ground crew better at KAPA then this outfit. They meet/greet and manage aircraft as if you’re the G5 parking at Tac. I highly recommend this organization to anyone in need of any level of GA services.
Best regards,
Michael Kennedy