Murfreesboro Aviation has announced that Tom Tippin, son of country music legend Aaron Tippin, has passed his check ride and is now a licensed private pilot.
Tom's flight instructor, Senior CFI and ATP, Marty Newcom stated that; "Tom is a model student and outstanding pilot. He is knowledgeable, prepared, focused, and passionate about being a competent and safe pilot. It has been a pleasure instructing him."
A couple summers ago, Tom's Mom would drive him to the Murfreesboro Airport after school where his Dad would be waiting for him in either their Stearman open-cockpit biplane, or their T-6 Texan warbird. They would fly and train as often as the weather would allow, until Tom was eventually ready to solo. On December 1, 2016 Tom turned 16 and soloed THREE aircraft including the Stearman, the Texan, and their 1946 Piper J-3 Cub! Later that day he got his drivers license.
Jim Gardner, the owner of Murfreesboro Aviation said "We're very proud of Tom and his accomplishments, as he continues the aviation legacy in the Tippin family. We also appreciate the trust Aaron has placed in us to train his boys. They come to us with solid skills, a safety mindset, and a commitment to becoming quality pilots."
Murfreesboro Aviation is the busiest privately-owned flight school in the state of Tennessee and owned by Jim Gardner. In the past 6+ years Murfreesboro Aviation has grown from a flight school to a maintenance and repair center, Cessna Authorized Service Center, avionics repair and installation facility, aircraft brokerage and acquisition services company, FAA certificated part 135 charter operator and part 145 Repair Station.