Ep 3: Brandon Melendez: CFI-I; Former Airline Mechanic; Aviation High School Graduate; Ferry Pilot

The Leaders of Aviation

Jeff is speaking with Brandon Melendez, a fellow pilot he met while training at American Flyers. Growing up in Queens, NY, Brandon says that aviation was never in his family. His love for flying came from video games and from a young age Brandon knew what he wanted to do. Brandon’s grandfather was the one to tell him about an aviation high school that offered regular academics alongside aviation courses to give you a head start. It was a perfect fit for Brandon that landed him a job at Delta the same day he picked up his diploma. With his first aviation job as an aircraft support mechanic, Brandon knew he would someday work himself up to pilot.

Brandon was so impatient to get his pilot's license before he really had the money to do so, that he did it in bits and pieces. Looking back, he says it actually ended up taking him longer and costing him more. Either way, now with his private pilots license, Brandon was on top of the world. He remembers it being a time of creating memories as he did Hudson River tours for friends and frequented aviation restaurants. Brandon went on to earn his commercial pilot’s license and become a certified flight instructor. Having recently crossed the 1000-hour mark, Brandon has applied to regional airlines and accepted a job offer.

What You’ll Learn:

• How an aviation high school in NY set the foundation for Brandon’s career.
• What it takes to earn a pilot license-both private and commercial.
• Why not all CFI courses are created equal.
• Why going to Texas was one of the best decisions Brandon ever made.

Favorite Quote:

“Sometimes it's hard when you're on this journey, you forget to self reflect on your accomplishments.” – Brandon Melendez