CFI on the Fly: Gateway Flight Training's Ann McLoughlin Continues Family Aviation Tradition

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience celebrates Midwest Aviation with our "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 CFII Ann McLoughlin from Gateway Flight Training based at Creve Coeur Airport. She grew up around aviation and exudes a natural enthusiasm for sharing her love of flight with others around her. McLoughlin's father is a commercial airline pilot and owner of multiple general aviation aircraft over the years, the most recent is a Beech Sundowner. She has her seaplane rating, a tribute to one of her childhood experiences flying in a floatplane with family friends in Alaska, and enjoys aerobatic flying in a Decathlon. McLoughlin brings a wide range of flying skills to compliment the CFI staff and growing fleet at Gateway Flight Training.

The Aero Experience recently visited with Ann McLoughlin to get to know her better and take a flight in the Gateway Flight Training Piper Warrior. She can be seen virtually every day taking off from Creve Coeur Airport with her students and heading out to the practice area or a cross-country destination. We found some time in her schedule to tour the pilot resource room/lounge and maintenance hangar before heading out for our in-flight interview. 

Ann McLoughlin has always been around aviation growing up in the St. Louis area. Her first memorable flight experience was in a float plane owned by friends thousands of miles away in Alaska when she was eight years old.

"I've been flying for so long, it's really hard to remember the first one - I was probably too little to remember," she told The Aero Experience. "I remember we took a Cessna on floats and they had a cabin up there. And we took this float plane just right into this cabin in the middle of nowhere...It was a great opportunity and I absolutely love it out there. The epitome of flying."

After high school, McLoughlin was looking for colleges and career opportunities when she took some wise counsel from her father to consider flight training. She received instruction from local CFIs in the Sundowner, and later joined STL Aviators Flight Club to get instrument training in their Piper Archer. CFI, CFII and multi-engine ratings were obtained from flight schools in Florida and Texas, with a seaplane rating gained in Seattle for good measure.

With her ratings and instruction hours starting to add up quickly, we asked if an airline career was on the horizon. No, at least not any time soon. She will continue to instruct while adding to her own flying skills, gaining more experience flying seaplanes and aerobatic/upset prevention and recovery. McLoughlin's next major career goal is instructing in float planes and flying general aviation aircraft in Alaska. 

Ann McLoughlin has been a CFII at Gateway Flight Training since October, and she has a growing clientele of students. She works with each one to find the best scheduling and study options available to fit their needs as they progress toward a successful check ride.

She chose to work for Gateway Flight Training after visiting with them while the Sundowner was being serviced in their maintenance hangar. She was warmly received and inquired about CFI openings.

Having a comprehensive maintenance facility on site is also a great asset for Gateway Flight Training. Aircraft maintenance issues are promptly addressed, and fleet safety and availability are high priorities.

Being a CFI is a difficult role, and it takes dedication and sincerity to gain the trust and confidence of the students. It also takes understanding and patience while working with a wide range of personalities. But there is one more important ingredient. 

"Have passion, not only for aviation and where you want to go, but have passion for what you're doing in the moment. That'll show your interest in aviation. I've always loved it just as anyone who the aviation bug bites...I don't see how it doesn't bite everyone!"

Our visit to Gateway Flight Training, and our flight with CFII Ann McLoughlin, are featured in the following video:

The Aero Experience thanks Ann McLoughlin for devoting her time to this story. We also thank Gateway Flight Training for providing our flight and for their support as one of our great sponsors.