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Flight Instructor Bio
Meet your instructor:
Randall DeWitt (Randy) has been flying for over 30 years. He has logged over 14,000 hours of flight time, and over 2000 hours of dual instruction given.
He holds the following FAA pilot certificates and ratings:
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) - Multi Engine Land
- Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) - Instrument Airplane
- Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument Airplane (CFII)
- Certified Flight Instructor - Rotorcraft - Helicopter
- Commercial Pilot - Rotorcraft Helicopter
- Commercial Pilot - Airplane, Single Engine Land
Randy is also certified through the Aero Sports Connection as an Advanced Flight Instructor (AFI) in Powered Paragliders.
Mr. DeWitt started his flying career out of Goose Creek Airport (28A) in North Carolina, earning his private pilot certificate in 1992 while working as a paramedic and firefighter. He became involved with the Civil Air Patrol, eventually becoming a Squadron Commander in 1996. In early 1997, Randy decided to pursue his love of aviation. At the age of 30, he sold nearly everything he owned and returned to college full time.
In 1998 Randy earned an Associate's of Aviation Science degree with flight instructor concentration from Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. After working as a flight instructor in Monroe, NC (KEQY) for two years, Randy was hired by Dynamic Aviation to fly King Air 90s out of Kingston Jamaica. There he built his multi-engine turbine time flying the island and the Caribbean.
Now armed with the minimum flight time needed to move on, Randy was hired by a FEDEX feeder airline where he stayed for 15 years. His first 2.5 years as a first officer on the Fokker 27. He was then promoted to captain on the Cessna 208 Caravan. (Required by the airline to move up.) After 2 years on the 208, Randy was promoted to captain on the Fokker 27, where he spent a year flying domestic and international routes. After a year as an F-27 captain, Randy was promoted directly to the left seat of the ATR 42/72 where he flew as a captain for over 10 years.
During his employment Mr. DeWitt resumed his studies and earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology degree from Everglades University in Boca Raton, FL. He continued straight through and earned a Master of Aviation Science degree from the same institution.
Mr. DeWitt was then hired by logistics airline Kalitta Air LLC, where he flew the 747-400 internationally for 8 years. Mr. DeWitt flew everything from rubber dog #$%@ out of Hong Kong to rescue missions for the U.S. Department of State, and delivery of various weapon systems for the U.S. Department of Defense to hot spots around the globe, like Bagram, Kabul, Tel Aviv, an Eastern Poland. Randy volunteered to fly the last rescue mission for US and Canadian citizens out of Wuhan, China, the day the Chinese border closed at the height of covid.
In 2019 Randy purchased a Super Decathlon and began giving tailwheel endorsements, conducting spin and upset recovery training, as well as giving flight reviews and instrument proficiency checks out of Indianapolis Regional Airport. (KMQJ) He also purchased an FAA authorized AATD (Simulator) to continue his love of teaching aviation. Randy retired from full time flying in 2023. He loves to fly light airplanes, helicopters, and powered paragliders in his spare time and share his love of flight with anyone willing to listen.
A word from Randy:
“Flying for over three decades I have taken a fair amount of training. I have studied and learned a great deal about how adults learn; what works and what doesn’t. My success as a pilot I chalk up to high quality training in modern equipment, with instructors and mentors that cared about my success. It has been my goal to provide the same to my students. I have also learned aviation is a life-long learning endeavor. No matter how experienced you are, there is always somebody that has more knowledge or experience in a particular area than you. I am constantly learning. This attitude has kept me safe and humble through decades of flying.”
“I’m not looking for my next Aviation job. I’m right where I want to be. I’m not going to be running off any time soon to a commuter or corporate job as so many instructors do!"
“It is a great privilege to get to share my passion for flying with the next generation of aviators. Whether it’s your first lesson or your fiftieth, I have decades of experience to share with you. You might even teach me something along the way!"
Memberships:
Aircraft Owners & Pilot's Association (AOPA)
Aero Sports Connection - Powered Paragliding
Commemorative Air Force - Life Member (CAF)
National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI)
United States Powered Paragliding Association