In the latest episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson sat down with BJ Hubbard, a flight instructor at Susanville Aviation, to discuss the joys of flying in Northeastern California and the opportunities for locals to pursue their aviation dreams.
The Journey to Aviation
BJ's path to becoming a flight instructor wasn't straightforward. Despite being captivated by aviation at age 14 during a Boy Scout visit to the Top Gun school at Fallon Naval Base, it took him over a decade to pursue his passion.
"I always thought about aviation. I always knew that's what I wanted to do, but I had no idea how to do it," BJ explained. After careers in banking, accounting, and even a stint in law, BJ finally took the leap with his wife's encouragement.
"We had this money sitting in our hand from selling our home. And we thought, this is the time to do it. So I quit my job," BJ shared. Nine months of intensive training later, he returned to Susanville as a flight instructor, where he's been for the past three years.
Learning to Fly in Susanville
For anyone interested in learning to fly, Susanville offers unique advantages. At $165 per hour for aircraft rental and $60 for instruction, it's more affordable than many nearby cities like Reno or Redding. And the cost advantage extends beyond the hourly rates.
"One of the biggest things with flight instruction is that, if you go to Reno and you're at a big school there, you might sit on the ground for 20 or 30 minutes before you actually get to take off. And you've paid for all that time," BJ noted. "Here you fire up, we go out to the runway, and we're off and running."
For those curious about flying but unsure of the commitment, Susanville Aviation offers a discovery flight for $100. "We spend about 20 minutes on the ground. We talk about the airplane, we go over some aerodynamics... and then we hop in the airplane and we get to spend about a half hour in the air," BJ explained.
A Pilot's Paradise
When asked what makes Northeastern California special for aviation, BJ didn't hesitate: "You know, this area in Northern California is probably one of the most beautiful places you can fly in the United States, hands down. We have the desert, we have the mountains, we have lakes."
Perry agreed, adding, "There is never a time that I feel more blessed... to just be alive... to live where we live and get to work where we live... And nowhere is it more revealed more quickly than in an airplane."
Starting Your Aviation Journey
For young people interested in aviation, BJ offered clear advice: "Go to the airport. If there is an airport, which there most likely is... Go shake a hand with somebody and just introduce yourself."
BJ also highlighted programs like Young Eagles, which offers free flights for kids ages 8-18 every year at Susanville Airport, plus free access to online ground school afterward.
"Aviation is such a huge industry that you don't have to just be a pilot," BJ emphasized, noting opportunities in mechanics, engineering, air traffic control, business management, and more.
Whether you're 18 or 68 (both ages of students who recently passed their check rides with BJ), it's never too early or too late to pursue flying. As BJ put it: "If you're not doing something that you really enjoy, maybe you should make a change.
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