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It’s a bird! If it’s a plane, it’s most likely Myron Yoder, or one of his instructors, with an individual earning his or her pilot’s license.

Yoder, a serial entrepreneur, pilot, chief flight instructor and recent recipient of the ’40 Under 40′ recognition by the Tullahoma area Chamber of Commerce, formed Wright Base Flight Training three years ago at Tullahoma Regional Airport.

Since starting Wright Base Flight Training, Yoder now has nine flight instructors on his team and typically 15 to 20 students at one time earning their pilot’s license. Already over 25 students have graduated from Wright Base with their pilot’s license.

Yoder said his students are all ages and backgrounds. “Most of our students are career focused, bucket list achievers or business owners who need to move around more quickly.”

Yoder took a very circuitous route before arriving in Tullahoma. His parents were Christian missionaries in Belize where he spent the first five years of his life. His family then moved to southern Mississippi. Yoder attended community college for a year and then attended LeTourneau Universities Mission Aviation program where he graduated in 2010 with his flight instructor, commercial pilot and aircraft maintenance certifications.

Using his certifications, Yoder worked several years in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a flight instructor, mechanic and 135 Charter pilot. He then left aviation as a career for five years and started and managed several businesses.

Yoder then moved to southern, middle Tennessee to be close to family and started boatwinchester.com. The business, based on Tims Ford Lake, rents Sea-Doos, luxury pontoons and Can-Am products.

The aviation bug bit and Yoder started pilot instructing at the Tullahoma airport. “There was no flight school on the field, so I created Wright Base to allow people in the area to see a clear path to obtain their pilot’s license locally.”

How did Yoder name his company? “Wright is like the Wright Brothers. It’s a bit of a play on words. A “right base” is a turn to the right as a pilot comes in for a landing. I originally named it “right base”, but many people thought I meant “Wright” so I changed it.”

The instructors use both one-on-one and classroom styles of teaching. “Our classroom style ground schools start in January and continue once a week for 13 weeks. These are focused on passing both the private pilot and instrument written exams. We guarantee you will pass the exam after taking this class. One-on-one instruction will take up the primary amount of training as you fly the airplane with your instructor. The practical exam comes after you have had 40 to 60 lessons one on one with your flight instructor.”

After graduation, “They can rent our airplanes and fly with their family and friends wherever they want to go. Or they can purchase an airplane and we can help them get started in aircraft ownership.”

Yoder anticipates big growth ahead for his flight training school. “The number of students so far has been fantastic. People are grateful for a local option to train cost effectively. We envision growing significantly in the next five years. Our flight training has grown by more than 50% year over year since starting. We will be adding several aircraft as well as hiring more flight instructors to meet the demand.”

Yoder has some advice for anyone considering earning their pilot’s license. “Expect lots of homework and studying outside of your lessons. It’s not easy, but anyone can do it. It’s some of the most rewarding and fun experiences you will ever have. If you want to become a pilot, we are your solution.”

Emma Jones, who recently earned her pilot’s license through Wright Base, is a fan of the operation. She earned her Private Pilot’s license and is working on her instrument rating. Miss Jones hopes to fly for a commercial airline. “I started training with them when I was 16 years old. I am now 18. They always worked with my schedule and made sure I kept flying. The whole environment is really encouraging and I always felt supported.”

Her most memorable experience with Wright Base was flying with Mr. Yoder to her home in Nolensville and circling her home while her parents stood in the yard and waved. “It was such a cool experience and one I’ll never forget,” she said.

Another recent Wright Base graduate and Tullahoma resident, Lauren Mason, was equally as pleased with her experience at Wright Base. “Training at Wright Base has been an incredible experience. The instructors, including Myron, are incredibly thorough with their number one goal being safety. Myron is very passionate about his student’s futures and their success as aviators. Because of Wright Base I have an incredible support system on my personal aviation journey.”

To learn more about Wright Base and earning your pilot’s license, contact instructor Noah Coussons at 931 588 0211 or email info@wrightbase.com