Page 28 - April24

FEATURE
King Schools Celebrates 50 Years
John and Martha King outlast Nixon, Rubik, Skylab and sideburns
In 1974, Richard Nixon was president, Erno Rubik invented his eponymous puzzle cube, U.S. astronauts were orbiting earth on the nation’s first space station Skylab, and John and Martha King started building their aviation training empire.
“2024 marks 50 years since John and Martha began what has turned into a lifelong passion and an exceedingly successful business,” Barry Knuttila, King Schools CEO, said. “Not only have they helped millions of pilots achieve their training goals, but they also guided the company and the curriculum through countless regulatory changes and technology transformations.”
Through that half-century and all its turbulence, John and Martha have acquired a few wrinkles, some gray hair
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(or in John’s case, lost some hair ... and the sideburns), a hangar full of awards and recognitions and a lot of fans. Theirs is a story of hard work, shrewd decisions, a few mistakes and a skillful ability to explain complex concepts in a clear, simple and fun way that resonates with aviation pros and learners alike.
“It’s humbling to see that our little idea has turned into something so successful and enduring,” Martha King said. “We love to hear from pilots across the country and
APRIL 2024