Founded in 2020 as an investment back into the community, Slipstream Aviation has grown to be one of the top flight schools in Mid-Michigan.
Nothing feels more human than to stand in the warmth of the sun with your face turned towards the wide-open sky, yearning to leave your troubles on the ground behind you and go explore it. The passion and mission of Slipstream Aviation is to guide individuals on a journey of aviation discovery that results in safe, competent pilots, equipped to confidently handle every situation and who love to feel the wind under their wings. If you choose to train with us, you will receive individualized instruction from certified flight instructors whose primary concern is providing _____________.
Meet our Instructors
Paul Ries
Owner, Ground Instructor
Certifications: Instrument, Commercial (land), Comm (sea), AGI
Experience: 50 years – my first lesson was in 1973
What do you enjoy most about flying?
Flying offers a unique perspective and takes you out of your day to day element and you have the opportunity to see the world from a new vantage point. I had wanted to fly since I was a young child. Some of my earliest memories were age 3, playing with toy airplanes. Some fond memories of grade school include a special tree at the top of the hill where I was able to observe the planes taking off and landing.
Strangest thing that’s happened during a flight:
I was in a helicopter with members of the Royal Thai Air Force over the jungle, saw a giant statue of budhha, saw another and thought it was the same and happened again before he realized they were circling. 5 min later, landed in a field, the copilot jumped out and ran over to a little kid sitting on a fence, couldn’t hear the conversation, the kid pointed off to one side and the lieutenant jumped back in and flew off in that direction. They were lost.
Kyle George
Certifications: Commercial license, Instrument rating, multiengine rating, Advanced Ground Instructor, CFI, CFII
Experience: 20 years (since 2003)
What do you enjoy most about flying?
I’ve always wanted to be a pilot. My grandma says that even as a baby, I was always fascinated by planes. Some of the things I love about flying is the exclusivity- it’s a small club. Also, I’m a problem solver by nature and every flight presents new challenges; no two flights are the same- even in the same day! Plus, it’s fun – no speed limit and no police!
Strangest thing that’s happened during a flight:
While flying in Michigan, a military A10 warthog flashed its landing light at me when I flew in front of it. Then it dumped its flaps and dropped right in front of me.