Ep188: Driving Dreams: Transitioning from Car Dealer To Flight School Founder with Caleb Keller

Ready 4 Pushback

Nik Fialka

Business, Careers, Leisure, Aviation

4.8 • 716 Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2024

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, Caleb Keller shares his unique journey from an unexpected career path to building something truly special in aviation. Along the way, he learned powerful lessons about passion, business, and balancing it all. If you're ready to take a deeper dive into the world of aviation and entrepreneurship, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE

How Caleb Keller transitioned from the family auto dealership to becoming a flight school owner and instructor
The surprising power of relationships and networking
Unique challenges in juggling a family, running a business, and pursuing your dream of becoming an airline pilot
Benefits of getting an A&P license
Difference between training for general aviation and prepping for the airlines
The step-by-step process Caleb followed to launch his niche flight school and why he chose to specialize in tailwheel training

RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED

ABOUT CALEB KELLER

Caleb is the founder of Appalachian Aviators, based at Keller Bros Airport (08N) in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. After 12 years in his family’s auto dealership business, Caleb transitioned to aviation, starting as an A&P mechanic and now focusing on teaching tailwheel training as a Certified Flight Instructor. He prioritizes serving his students’ goals rather than building hours for himself. Since founding his school in 2020, it has grown beyond his expectations, allowing him to share the joy of flight with others.

CONNECT WITH CALEB

Website: Appalachian Aviators

CONNECT WITH US

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SPONSOR

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Transcript

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0:00.0	One of the biggest kind of things that hit me is if you're either working for others or you're
0:05.2	working for yourself. And other people that you're working with can tell that. If you're working for
0:10.7	yourself and teaching just to get hours as quickly as possible, that's where your heart's going to be.
0:16.0	Others can tell. If you're working for others, working for the students, what their goals are,
0:20.7	you're going to be able to connect and help them grow a lot faster.
0:24.2	Most pilots don't understand what career opportunities are available in the world of aviation.
0:30.3	They're making career decisions based on advice from friends or posts on internet forums, meaning they are taking huge risks with their livelihood
0:38.9	without having all the details.
0:41.2	This podcast was created to help you understand the aviation industry so you can find your
0:46.7	dream job.
0:48.2	Let's get ready for pushback.
0:50.3	Here's your host and my dad, Nick Fialca.
0:54.0	Hey, Pilot, it's another interview show, and dad, Nick Fialca. Hey, pilot.
0:56.0	It's another interview show, and I'm Nick Fialca.
0:58.5	I'm so glad you're joining me.
1:00.6	This episode is for you.
1:02.1	If you're a private pilot, if you are headed towards your CFI and you're wondering how you're going to finance everything,
1:08.2	I'm talking to Caleb Keller today today and this man started his own flight
1:12.4	school. It's a great conversation. It's really interesting. Gives you a lot of tips and tricks,
1:17.0	ways to hack your way into aviation and keep getting your flying paid for it. That's the way to do
1:24.2	it. Talk to Caleb. If you have questions, his information at the end of the show, and also in the description, you'll find it there. Sit back, relax. Let's get ready for pushback. All right, Caleb Keller. How are you, my man?
1:38.6	Great. How are you doing, Nick? Dude, I'm good. Thank you for coming on the show today. This will be really interesting. You are my first
	...

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