UCF Incubator client chosen by Federal Aviation Authority and peers to represent Central Florida in regional, national competition

John Tenney Named Flight Instructor of the Year

John Tenney

Orlando, Fla. (January 30, 2024) – John Tenney has been working as a pilot and instructor out of the Orlando Executive Airport for more than 35 years. Now, as the owner of Experienced Pilot Services, he is being recognized as the top certified flight instructor in the Central Florida area by the 2024 General Aviation Awards program.

“This award has been a goal of mine for as long as I have been a flight instructor as the winners historically have all had such significant impact on our industry,” Tenney says. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized in this program.”

The awards program, a cooperative effort from the Federal Aviation Administration and the general aviation industry, is the highest recognition in the field.

According to its website, ​“For more than 50 years, the program has recognized aviation professionals in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance, avionics, and flight safety for their important contributions to the general aviation community. These awards highlight the important leadership roles these individuals play in promoting aviation safety, education, and professionalism.”

Tenney has been involved in providing pilot services and flight instruction since 1990, including early versions of his current business which he restarted in 2022. The company is unique in that it provides training at home using computer-based training and then in the classroom, in the simulator and in the aircraft with one course.John Tenney Named Flight Instructor of the Year

Today, the company has 15 aircraft under contract for pilots and eight pilots under contract for annual training. The simulator and classrooms are located at the Orlando UCF Incubator.

In addition, Tenney also serves with FAA Safety Team in Orlando. The organization is dedicated to improving the safety of general aviation through training, outreach and other aspects.

“One of the reasons we wanted to work with Experience Pilot Services is because of John’s significant resume in this field and the proven experience to really grow his company,” says Michael Wiess, site manager, UCF Business Incubation Program. “We’re very proud him for this accomplishment.”

Tenney will be recognized for the award on February 7 at 7 p.m. at Atlantic Aviation ORL at the Orlando Executive Airport. After the ceremony, Tenney is one of four finalists for the regional award. The winner of the regional award will compete in the national competition.

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For more information, please contact:

UCF Business Incubation Program: Carol Ann Dykes Logue, 407-635-9882, carolann.dykeslogue@ucf.edu or Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com

About Experienced Pilot Services: Since 1985, Our managing pilots John Tenney, Scott Sindelar and Doug Anderson have been airline and corporate pilots, check airmen, simulator instructors, and active flight instructors.  We have been serving the Aviation Community for 35 years. Currently, staffing and training pilots for King Airs, Twin Cessnas, Pilatus PC-12, PC-24 and others. Flight Instruction available, primary, advanced and aircraft specific (insurance approved). All of our pilots have multiple years of airline and corporate pilot experience. For more information, please visit ExperiencedPilotServices.com

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.

With nine facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. In 2022, current incubator clients supported over 1200 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue.  Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit  www.incubator.ucf.edu.