Live your dreams. Earn your wings.

ExcelAvia Mission Statement

2009-01-16T04:22:00.007-06:00

Our goal is to provide the best flight training for the money and the most aviation bang for your "buck". We aim to provide individualized, personalized flight and ground instruction, in a big airport environment, with a maximum exposure to "real world" flying. We emphasize piloting skills, sound judgement, safety, organization and efficiency. We also offer plane rentals (block hours available on some airplanes), and a selection of aeronautical charts and pilot supplies.

Aircraft Rental

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Whether you want to take a quick local flight for fun, add some hours to your log book or take cross-country trip it is our goal to provide high-quality and reliable rental aircraft to our rental customers at reasonable rates.If you are interested in renting any of our airplanes, contact us and we will be glad to get you checked-out and in the air.

Rental Fleet

Flight Training

2009-01-15T03:18:00.001-06:00

If you want to learn to fly, you've come to the right place.

ExcelAvia offers flight training for everyone interested in learning to fly.
Whether you want to fly for leisure or become a career pilot,
ExcelAvia has a pilot training course for you.

Some of the formal pilot courses we offer are:

Private Pilot
CertificateInstrument Rating
Commercial Pilot
CertificateMulti-engine rating

We also offer:
Cross Country Time Building

If you are interested in any of the training courses we offer, please contact us by email or at (615) 366-0225. One of our highly-qualified Flight Instructors would be glad to work with youto create a course designed to fit your training needs. We use Jeppesen and ASA courses.

Our Instructors
Fabien Couteaud, CFI
Don Reed, CFI
Donnie Underwood, CFI
Jud Philips, CFI

Training Fleet

Fabien Couteaud

2009-01-15T02:58:00.001-06:00

Flight Instructor/Manager

First Flight:
Date -Fall 1985
Aircraft – Robin DR400
Airport – Rethel (Champaign region of France) grass strip 700m long

Aircraft Piloted:
TB-9
TB-10
TB-20
Aerospatiale
Aerazur paraglider
Balanca Super Decathlon
Robin DR400
PA-38-112 (Piper Tomahawk)
PA-28-161 (Piper Warrior)
PA-28R-200 (Piper Arrow)
PA-58
PA-44
CE-150
CE-152
CE-172
CE-172RG
CE-182
CE-P210
BE-76
Bonanza 33
Bonanza 35
Bonanza 36

Biography:
I started flying in France in a Robin DR400 at 15. I received my private license at the age of 18 in a C-152. I have a background in para gliding and rock climbing as well. I guess you can see which one of the two stuck.
I moved to the United States in 1996 and in March of 2005 I started a flight school called ExcelAvia, you may have heard of it.

Teaching style:
My teaching style is one that mixes real world every day common sense with the desire to emphasize safety and efficiency in aircraft operations. I take pride in my students ability to handle which ever situation mother nature offers them. Also as the flight school operator, I like to highlight that airplanes will treat you as you treat them, so handle them with care.

Email me at : fabien@excelavia.com

Don Reed

2009-01-15T02:43:00.001-06:00

Certificated Flight Instructor

CFII, AGII

My name is Don Reed. I have been giving Flight Instruction for over 25 years.I was Chief Instructor at Lebanon, TN (M54) for many years. I am now associated with ExcelAvia @ Hangar # 7 at Nashville International (KBNA).

Teaching people to fly has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my flying career. I have accumulated over 17000 hours of Flying time - most of which has been instructing.I am Multi-engine Instrument Instructor and Single Engine.I also hold an Advanced Ground Intructor Instrument (AGII). I am an FAA Safety Councelor.

Flying Safety is of primary importance to me, and I try very hard to convey that attitude to my students. Safe flying is "no accident"!

Flying is also fun, and at Excel we try to make it fun for you... so come fly with us at ExcelAvia. You will be glad you did.

Email me at : don@excelavia.com

Donnie Underwood

2009-01-15T02:35:00.001-06:00

Certificated Flight Instructor

First Flight:
I started flying May 27th, 1981. My first airplane was a Piper Tomahawk, based at Centerville, TN.
Aircraft Piloted:Various types and models, from Single Seat SingleEngine to Business Jets, and from tricycle gear to tail draggers. I used to own a Citabria, and I like flying Aerobatics. I am also fond of teaching Multi-Engine and Instrument Flying as well as primary Student Pilots.

Biography:
I started flying at the age of 17, and received my Private Pilot's Licence at the age of 18. In 1985, I became a Flight Instructor.

Teaching Style:
I believe that the love of Aviation makes a good Pilot. I try to impress Safety on every lesson, as well as making it challenging and fun.

Email me at : donnie@excelavia.com

Jud Phillips

2009-01-15T02:31:00.001-06:00

Certificated Flight Instructor,
CFII,MEI, ATP, Aviation Safety Counselor

Biography:
When I was a boy, airplanes were mystical machines full of magic and the people who flew them were more than mere mortals. I dreamed of one day joining that elite group piloting a flying machine far above the rooftops in a pristine sky as a boy ran outside to see me fly over, the same as I had so often done.
It is now my pleasure and privilege to not only do that but to help othersrealize that same dream. Flying takes work, focus and dedication. Those whodo it find it is not only a lifestyle but a life changing experience.