CFI on the Fly: Jason Overturf from STL Flight Training - Living the Dream In Retirement

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience celebrates Midwest Aviation with our new "CFI on the Fly" series to honor the unsung heroes of the aviation industry - the Certified Flight Instructors training the next generation of pilots at flight schools large and small across the region. CFIs are in high demand, and new instructors are gaining flight hours at a rate that guarantees their rapid progression to the corporate, charter or airline crew positions to which many aspire. Rather than generalize about the CFI/CFII/MEI roles, we will start from the individual and find out what makes a great CFI through their particular contribution. 

In this edition, we feature Jason Overturf, CFII from STL Flight Training based at St. Louis Downtown Airport. His story is one of a mid-life career change following retirement from his role as regional manager for a major retailer. He received his Private Pilot Certificate in 2017 and completed an accelerated CFII training course at Venture North Aviation in Minnesota in 2021. He flies his own Cessna Skyhawk (below) and trains new and advancing pilots "for the enjoyment of it."

(STL Flight Training photo)

The Aero Experience met with Jason Overturf recently to get to know him and take a local flight in one of the STL Flight Training fleet aircraft. Our first impression was that he looks too young to be retired, so the St. Louis aviation community is fortunate that he is now available for the CFII role. It is also immediately apparent that he enjoys being a flight instructor and continually looks for ways to keep his students motivated to achieve their goals throughout the inevitable challenges of the training process. Overturf is friendly and personable, lending a calm confidence to new students and serving as a great ambassador for STL Flight Training.

Flight training is an experiential endeavor that places the student in an immersive working environment at the very outset. This initial exposure may seem overwhelming to some, and successfully completing the many months of training, written examination and check ride can become a daunting proposition. Even at the Instrument and Commercial levels, the cumulative nature of flight training requires the CFII to help the student navigate the path to certification. 

"With new students, I always spend a little time asking them questions to get to know them better and get a good idea of why they are wanting to get their pilot certificate," Overturf told The Aero Experience. "I let them know that they will be making mistakes, and that's how you learn, but I will be right there and I will not let anything happen to them or the plane so they can relax a little and try to have fun with it.

"Later on, when they reach a plateau, I use that initial information to remind them of the 'why,' and to think about what it will be like when they get their certificate and can fly themselves to live out that dream."

Instrument Flight Instruction is time-intensive and builds on the skills learned at the Private Pilot level. Overturf finds it more effective to schedule longer training blocks to accommodate the multiple instrument approaches and increased air traffic control communication involved with instrument flight training. All through this intensive training regimen, he maintains an atmosphere of mutual respect in and out of the cockpit.

(STL Flight Training graphic)

"I also treat them like pilots and stop critiquing the little stuff they already know and stay focused on the new material and instrument lessons," he added. 

The STL Flight Training and the STL Flight Maintenance team provide a training and rental fleet of proven Cessna and Piper aircraft including those shown in this story. Jason Overturf and nine other flight instructors are ready to discuss your flight training needs and schedule a discovery flight for those new to general aviation flying. It's time to live out your dream of flight!

During our visit, The Aero Experience flew with CFII Jason Overturf over the local practice area in their newly painted Cessna 172 Skyhawk fleet aircraft. Here we include our coverage of the flight - one you can have as well with STL Flight Training!

The Aero Experience thanks CFII Jason Overturf and STL Flight Training for appearing in our story and providing a great flight over Metro East Illinois from St. Louis Downtown Airport. Contact STL Flight Training to schedule your discovery flight or begin your customized flight training program today!

For more about STL Flight Training, see our previous feature story, 

Sponsor Announcement: STL Flight Training Joins The Aero Experience Team. 

Also see our recent story about STL Flight Maintenance, Big River Aviation at St. Louis Downtown Airport Becomes STL Flight Maintenance.