CFII Devin Horn Joins the Gateway Flight Training Team

By Carmelo Turdo

Gateway Flight Training, based at Creve Coeur Airport, has expanded their services and staffing in recent months to fulfill the increased demand for pilot training, aircraft maintenance and avionics services. As mentioned in our previous story, one of the new CFIs to join Gateway Flight Training is Devin Horn, a CFII who comes to St. Louis from his previous flight instructing position at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescot, AZ. The Aero Experience recently visited with Devin Horn before he held an orientation with one of his students.

Devin Horn received his Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating and Commercial Single-Engine Certificate at Lane Aviation Academy in Eugene, Oregon. He then transferred to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ where he received his CFI and CFII Certificates and instructed for two years. He originally became interested in aviation when he started river sports, and ironically his first canoe was made by Grumman. Horn wanted to do something that involved speed, and short of becoming a racecar driver, aviation seemed to be the way to accomplish that desire. 

Though the Midwest offers different topography and weather than in the Great Northwest, an attitude of safety and in-house aircraft maintenance support remain essential to all flight training operations. 

"Those fundamental components of a good flying organization don't change," Horn told The Aero Experience. "I've flown in Oregon, I've flown in Arizona and now out in Missouri. The aviation infrastructure, the aviation support in this area, is really impressive." He added that the emphasis on safety and the atmosphere of open communication at Gateway Flight Training are essential to providing the best possible outcomes for the students.

Devin Horn's long-range plan is to fly jets, either in the  corporate world or for an airline, and also serve others through humanitarian aviation. And he still feels the need to teach along with the need for speed.

"I really don't want to ever stop instructing. I grew up teaching sports and coaching, and so teaching is something that I've enjoyed. This was the best way for me to translate into that in the flying world, so I have the opportunity to teach something I love, which is aviation, and I'm not going to just stop doing that because there are other jobs out there." 

Hear Devin Horn tell his story in this brief video from our recent interview. Better yet, visit him and take flight at Gateway Flight Training!