Shawn has been an aviation enthusiast since the age of three and flew RC planes as a kid. Soloed at age 16, Private Certificate at 17, Commercial at 18. He is a former airline pilot, current corporate pilot, and has flown many general aviation airplanes ranging from floatplanes to the Gulfstream-IV. With 10,000+ hours, 10 type ratings, ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, Comm ASEL, and ASES, he is an excellent instructor and an asset to Gulf Coast. He is Currently PIC on a LR45 under FAR part 135.
VIP Notice
VIP Notice- New Orleans, LA
Notice Number: NOTC6148
Notice: Expect VIP movement August 27, 2015 in the vicinity of New Orleans, LA. Pilots can expect airspace restrictions in conjunction with this VIP movement. The FAA recommends that all aircraft operators check NOTAMs OFTEN for mandatory airspace restrictions prior to operations within this region.
Specific instructions and restrictions are available at http://tfr.faa.gov once the NOTAM has been issued.
*Depicted TFR data may not be a complete listing. Pilots should not use the information on this website for flight planning purposes. For the latest information, call your local Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF.
Ramp Repair Project – Status
From KNEW Operations 2015-08-17: The contractor began the ramp repair project this morning on Sites A, B, and C. The estimated impact of this project is approximately 5-7 days, depending on weather.
All areas mentioned above were barricaded, flagged and lighted. All NOTAMS were issued to reflect the three work sites (Site A, B and C) until Tuesday, August 25th at 2200Z (reference NOTAM #08/025 for Site A, #08/023 for Site B, and #08/022 for Site C).
Saw cutting and some demolition began on Site A; the site will be completely excavated tomorrow with the plan to have both Site B and C completed by 1700L tomorrow (August 18th) or by COB on August 19th. The contractors were advised to have Site A poured first, if possible and then proceed with Site B and C. Saw cutting also began on Site C and should be completed by COB tomorrow (August 18th). The plan is to begin pouring concrete at all three sites by this Thursday or Friday.
All men and equipment are done for the day and will resume work tomorrow between 1230Z and 1300Z. The saw-cutting machine has been left inside the perimeter for Site A (pictured below) with a flag and light attached (indicated via the NOTAM referenced above).
ARFF will ensure all lights are in working order and the flags/barricades remain in place.
IMPORTANT:
In an effort to prevent possible damage or destruction of the work site, please be mindful of how aircraft are marshalled into the ramp area where the work sites are barricaded. Site C is located approximately 50FT from the taxiway centerline, which is south of the southern edge line of the taxiway.
East Ramp (“Ball Park”) Closure
From the Airport:
The East Ramp, often referred to as the “Ball Park”, will be closed beginning tomorrow morning, August 13th at 0700L until Tuesday, August 18th at 2000L due to filming. The producer of the film was advised that the entrance to the ramp from the active taxiway will need to be properly barricaded with lights.
Please ensure all aircraft who park on the East Ramp/Ball Park are relocated prior to the closure beginning at 0700L tomorrow morning. It is preferred that aircraft park elsewhere as the closure will commence on time.
A NOTAM has been issued to reflect this closure: NEW 08/015 NEW APRON BALL PARK RAMP CLSD 1508131200-1508190100
Closure/Work on Taxiway Foxtrot
From KNEW Operations:
Once again we will be scheduling work on the taxiway project. This will take care of items on the “punch list” for the recent taxiway rejuvenation project. Taxiway Foxtrot between Runway 36L and Taxiway Golf, and Taxiway Bravo between Taxiway Golf and Taxiway Foxtrot will be closed from 8:00am Wednesday June 3, 2015 and Friday, June 5, 2015. This is similar to the closure during the recent taxiway project. Sorry for any inconvenience but the work must be accomplished. More closures will follow as the work progresses and I will keep you informed.
KNEW PAPI Updates
The latest information on the PAPI system is that the FAA is waiting on a removable system to be approved for use. They do not have a timeframe for when that will happen. This information came from The FAA office in Ft Worth. The local person in charge of the PAPI’s is waiting on approval to move forward. He has been instructed by the airport to put the 18R system in first.
Taxiway Sealcoat Project
From the Airport Operations Manager:
The taxiway crack seal/sealcoat project is moving along as planned. The schedule as we know it right now is:
- Friday, Jan 30, 2015, and Saturday, Jan 31, 2015: Sections of Taxiway Foxtrot in front of Landmark and Flightline First are being prepped and sealcoated, arranged so that Landmark can get in and out via Taxiway Bravo (F closed from just east of B to Taxiway G) and Flightline First can get in and out to the west (F closed from Flightline First mid ramp to halfway across the Bastian Mitchell ramp). Everyone should have access to their ramps from one side or the other.
- The terminal ramp will be closed on Monday, February 2, 2015 and Tuesday, February 3, 2015. Please do not park any aircraft on the terminal ramp these days as there will be a movie shoot there. Please note that this is a change from the previous plans for Sunday and Monday.
- Monday, Feb 2, 2015: Sealcoat prep and work will continue on portions of Taxiway Foxtrot provided the previous sections of F are finished and open. Everyone will still have access to their ramps from one side or the other. We will make every attempt to keep you advised of the latest progress.
Thank you all, in advance, for your cooperation in getting our taxiways rejuvenated, which will prolong the life of the pavement and our airport.
Terminal Ramp Closure
From the KNEW Airport Operations Manager:
The Terminal Ramp will be closed on Sunday, February 1, 2015 and Monday, February 2, 2015 for a movie shoot. Please make sure that no aircraft are parked on the terminal ramp these days.
Ground traffic will be re-routed as necessary.
Robert Claypool
Robert had the good fortune to learn about general aviation in high school when he was allowed to take a trip to Mississippi in a ‘small plane.’ At that moment he was hooked. As his career of Risk Engineer started to grow, he would take ad-hoc lessons from anyone that had a “Flight Instructor” shingle hanging up. In 2008 he realized that he had to get more astute if he was to realize his goal of becoming a pilot. After researching his options, he chose Gulf Coast Aviation based on their attention to fleet maintenance, and their teaching curriculum. Due to his belief in the school, he purchased shares of the company from some partners that were leaving New Orleans. Today, Robert is actively involved in the aviation community. He was one of the 5 founding members selected for the Cessna Pilot Schools Advisory Group.
Steve Knapper
Steve, our Chief Instructor, began working for us in 2012. He holds Chief Pilot – Single Engine Licenses and Ratings and is a CFI and CFII. Steve received his private license out of Greater Cincinnati airport in 1969 and has logged more than 5,000 hours in many different aircraft. He has flown in all aspects of aviation including charter and instruction. He is also a Lt Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol where he has served for more than thirty years. Steve recently received his Master Pilot Award from the FAA for promoting safety for more than fifty years. He is always around to give advice and guidance to our instructional team.
Aircraft Scheduling Links
Here are some helpful links for scheduling the Gulf Coast Aircraft
Weight and Balance
Show Schedule
Schedule a Discovery Flight
Rates
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available through our partners at:
Liberty University
Pilot Finance
Please feel free to click on their respective links to learn more.
Gulf Coast Guarantee
We will provide you with the best flight training experience available. If at any time you do not feel that we are offering you the best training that you can receive, we will happily refund you all funds on account not yet used.
We will readily provide you with references from current and past students who have completed their rating in many less hours than the national average. Be sure you ask how many hours it takes students to complete ratings when shopping for flight training, and be sure that the school is able to provide you solid student references.
Gulf Coast Curriculum
We train using the state-of-the-art, scenario-based training program that is exclusively available only to Cessna Pilot Centers. Produced by John and Martha King and their team, this multimedia, internet training program allows students to progress at their own pace and delivers amazing retention of information. The program makes excellent use of the building blocks of learning approach. First simple skills are taught. Then with each proceeding lesson those skills are reviewed and then combined to form more advanced skills. An efficient learning system is formed which will get you through your training with confidence and minimal expense.
While most schools offer a dedicated ground school class which covers course information separate from flight lessons, this program integrates each ground school lesson with its corresponding flight lesson. In addition, the program offers a video preview of each lesson so that the student already knows exactly what to expect before they start spending money in the airplane. This ensures the best allocation of time and money to move the student toward realizing the dream of flying. Cessna/King training programs are available for Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine Ratings. We welcome you to stop by to receive more information and a preview of the program.
Christmas Already?
Christmas is already upon us! Are you ready for Santa? I know I am not! I have yet to start shopping. Fortunately, Gulf Coast Aviation is making it easy to shop for your friends and family. We are offering an easy to print gift certificate. If you look in to our shop, you will see that we have many gifts available.