Private – Commercial – ATP- Instrument – CFII – Float Rick has been instructing since 1981. He has more than 32,000 hours both as a CFI and as a commercial…
Private – Commercial – ATP- Instrument – CFII – Float Heidi has been instructing since 1966. She has more than 32,000 hours both as a CFI and as a commercial…
Arctic Flyers is owned and operated by Hermann, Heidi and their son Rick. They have been flying and instructing for many years. In 1969, Heidi and her husband, Hermann, decided…
I got my private pilot license with Rick and Heidi in 2017. They are incredible pilots and instructors with unmatched... knowledge about flying in Alaska. I highly recommend them for anyone interested in taking lessons or getting any certificate.read more
Rick & Heidi got me through my private pilots license in 2006. They were both so great, I trusted them to teach 3 of... my kids to fly as well. Both are extraordinary people and I'm blessed to have them as friends.read more
I started with Heidi and Rick over 20 years ago, and earned my Private Pilot and seaplane ratings with them. Excellent... instructors, with a variety of meticulously kept aircraft, these guys are simply the best at what they do! If you want to learn flying the right way, this is the place. Highly recommended .read more
Finished up primary training with Rick and Heidi — Very good instructors who know Alaska flying and have a wealth of... knowledge. There is an emphasis on safety and good decision making. They have a very good ground school program too. The planes are well maintained and rates are very affordable. Highly recommend!read more
In the last twenty years I have taken flight instruction all over the U.S. Without hesitation I can say that the best... experience, without a doubt has been with Rick and Heidi. They have encyclopedic knowledge of the industry rules, regs, and procedures. They are natural teachers. Fine communicators. If you plan to learn aviation, they are your best choice.read more
I can’t say enough good things about Arctic Flyers. Rick takes his background in aircraft maintenance and experience in... the FAA and ties it in to deliver the whole scope of knowledge that is so important to know for flying, and something most instructors don’t have to offer. Heidi is an inspiration, incredibly skilled pilot, so much fun to fly with, and cares so much for her students. They try to get their students in as soon as possible so you don’t have to wait a long time between lessons or to get started. I would recommend no one other than Arctic Flyers. They truly have made me into the best new pilot I can be and gave me plenty of confidence in the air by preparing me for every possible disaster. And bonus, they have two adorable little dogs.read more
Rick and Heidi are excellent instructors, the group ground schools were great, and their planes are well taken care of.... Would recommend to anyone who wants to get their foot in aviation!read more
Could not have been happier with my experience getting my Private Pilot's license, as well as my Float Rating with Rick... and Heidi at Arctic Flyers. Heidi's half century of experience, as well as Rick's profound and in depth knowledge of not only single engine aircraft flight, but also maintenance, regulations, and most importantly SAFETY make for the perfect combination for the education of a new pilot. The instruction is very blunt, straightforward, and honest, and I felt safe and confident throughout the process. When I took my check ride I felt extremely OVER-prepared for both the oral and check ride portions of the exam. Flying an aircraft is not something to be taken lightly, and you can be sure that Rick will NOT let you do so. He is a serious guy, that wants to train serious pilots, and will not tolerate anything less, nor should he. Flying should be fun, but more importantly it should be safe. Make no mistake, Arctic Flyers understands that these are both important, but will never let you forget which one is MOST important. Flying safely and enjoying it while you do is all about learning, implementing, and maintaining good habits, and Rick Ruess will teach you exactly what it takes to do so.read more
Outstanding instruction from Rick and Heidi. These guys are local legends and they live up to the hype. Great place... to get instruction in the Anchorage area. Highly recommend!read more
If you are considering flight instruction, Heidi and Rick are Alaska's best flight instructors! They are experienced... and I felt I received the highest quality instruction which has prepared me for any flight emergency scenario!read more
I've received flight instruction through few local schools around Anchorage when I first moved to Alaska. I was looking... for the best education in town and with the awesome reputation I had heard for Arctic Flyers, and Rick and Heidi, I had to check them out! Safety and the best education is the number one priority for their students! I've gone through my private pilots license and most of my instrument instruction, it's been awesome thus far! I intend to stick with them for my commercial license, float rating, and even get a CFI! I highly recommend them to anyone looking to start your flight instruction or even a biennial flight review!read more
Arctic Flyers came highly recommended to me when I was first seeking a flight school to begin my flight training as a... student pilot. Arctic Flyers is a family business with a long and proud history of aviation in Alaska. I completed my Private Pilots license and have since flown around the US including the congested East coast SFRAs and internationally. Other instructors routinely comment on the high quality training, attention to safety, and detail that I poses as a result of my initial training at Arctic Flyers.read more