Del Sol Aviation

Del Sol Aviation is a premier gateway for aspiring aviators, providing a comprehensive range of flight training and certification programs. Located in the heart of Albuquerque, the flight school is a convergence point for all phases of pilot training—eliminating the need for transfers and ensuring a smooth and efficient learning curve.

Whether for an aspiring professional pilot, a student from a partner school, a private recreational pilot or military personnel transitioning to commercial aviation, the school offers training programs to meet everyone’s needs.

Del Sol equips students with the required technical skills and offers promising career opportunities through industry connections. Each month, it hosts diverse recruiters from legacy and regional airlines, cargo operators and even medevac companies, who give students a glimpse into various career paths.

Del Sol partners with GoJet Airlines to offer the Wingman Program of United Express. The flight school has also been designated by GoJet Airlines as a Preferred Flight School Training source. This avenue provides students with conditional employment while they pursue career pilot training courses. Del Sol has previously collaborated with Ameriflight, Sky West, Envoy, Republic, Sierra West, Mesa and Piedmont Airlines to diversify the available career opportunities.

“While training with us, our students also secure promising jobs. This gives them a clear path to a rewarding aviation career,” says Rick Preston, president and co-owner.

Del Sol extends its flight training courses to the military community through the DOD SkillBridge program, facilitating a smooth transition for service members seeking civilian aviation careers. An FAA-certified exam center allows candidates to complete their knowledge certification exams onsite. Del Sol is also an approved training source for the U.S. Army and Air Force Credentialing Opportunities Online programs and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) pilot scholarships.

This strong support for the military is rooted in Del Sol’s leadership of father-son duo Rick and Kyle Preston. Rick, a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran, and Kyle, who served in the Navy, bring a wealth of military experience.

From its humble beginnings with just two Piper Cherokees, Del Sol has grown to command the largest fleet in New Mexico, comprising 12 Cessna 172/182 single-engine and 3 Grumman GA-7 twin-engine aircraft. With over 30 dedicated staff members and an annual output of over 300 trained pilots (including drone pilots), Del Sol has established itself as a launchpad for aspiring pilots, steering them toward successful careers.

Pathway to Aviation Success

Stepping into the cockpit with Del Sol opens the door to a world of opportunities, with specialized training and certification programs for all stages of pilot training.

Diverse certification courses and instrument rating certifications are provided for private and commercial pilots. The commercial pilot program is particularly notable for equipping trainees to operate both single-and multi-engine aircraft. Each course includes comprehensive ground and flight training that gives students a well-rounded education.

The journey at Del Sol doesn’t merely stop at individual courses. Del Sol has created a comprehensive pathway for those aiming for a commercial aviation career. In as little as two years, they can progress from zero flight experience to earning an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

To further support this path, the flight school partners with financial institutions to address the financial and logistical challenges of pursuing an aviation career. Some students juggle full-time jobs, frequently interrupting their training while they save money for tuition, which can add months to the process.

Lending partnerships accelerate the process and ensure candidates can pursue their aviation careers with minimal disruption. Del Sol offers solutions with funding for full career programs or assistance for individual courses. With financial backing, students can fully immerse themselves in their studies and achieve all of their required certifications within 12 months.

Many program participants are guaranteed an interview to become certified flight instructors (CFI). Del Sol has maintained a 100 percent pass rate for CFI certification over its 16 years of operation, with no failures on check rides—a feat unheard of in the industry, where the average first-time failure rate is 40 percent.

Del Sol’s flight instructors accumulate around 100 flight hours monthly and are ready to join the commercial aviation industry in leadership roles within approximately 12 months after being hired as instructors. They are known for their high standards and leadership qualities, making them some of the most sought-after CFIs in the industry.
The school also enables military and civilian rotor pilots to move to commercial airline careers through its rotor-to-fixed-wing (RTF) transition programs. The pilots can achieve all necessary FAA certifications in six weeks, making the program valuable to officers transitioning to commercial aviation careers. Del Sol has successfully trained over 300 military pilots, with a remarkable passing rate of 97 percent on first-time check rides.

Del Sol is also renowned for its drone pilot certification course. This three-day course covers all FAA regulatory essentials, equipping participants to be immediately ready to start in commercial operations. Participants attend two-day seminars to learn fundamental concepts, followed by a day dedicated to the knowledge certification exam that qualifies them for their FAA Drone Pilot License. Del Sol has trained over 3,000 drone pilots and annually trains over 100 new drone pilots who apply their skills across various industries.

Del Sol’s expertise extends beyond aircraft and drones. With its FAA-certified testing center, the school administers knowledge certification exams for fixed-wing, rotorcraft, hot-air balloon, and helium balloon pilots, as well as Parachute Riggers, Aircraft Mechanics (A&P) and Inspection Authority (IA) certifications.

Its comprehensive training programs chart a clear path to aviation careers and address the critical pilot shortage with a steady influx of well-trained professionals. By bridging gaps in pilot supply, Del Sol enhances the aviation industry’s readiness and propels it toward sustainable growth.

Strategic Location, Optimal Training

Del Sol is located in Albuquerque International Sunport’s general aviation area and shares airspace with airline operations and Kirtland Air Force Base, one of the nation’s largest Air Force bases. This strategic location places the flight school in Class C airspace, exposing students to a dynamic, well-regulated environment.

Kirtland AFB’s 58th Special Operations Wing trains aircrews for Air Force special operations and combat search and rescue, and its air traffic control tower serves as a training ground for new controllers. The proximity to such a prominent military facility and the surrounding civilian aviation activity creates a rich learning ecosystem where students experience diverse real-world flying scenarios from the start of their training.

Albuquerque’s climate is also a pilot’s dream. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, optimal flying conditions are guaranteed, significantly reducing weather-related training delays. The city’s elevation of 5,200 feet, along with the nearby Sandia Mountains, provides a backdrop for high-altitude training. These geographic advantages make mountain flying training essential to the curriculum, enhancing trainees’ versatility and readiness for varied flying conditions. Del Sol’s training success is evident in its alumni’s achievements.

In 2018, a former Sikorsky H-60 helicopter pilot transitioned to fixed-wing aircraft through Del Sol’s RTF program. He completed his training ahead of schedule and under budget. His sponsoring airline was so impressed that they sent over 200 additional candidates to Del Sol for training. Today, the pilot, who once flew combat missions in Afghanistan, is a Delta Airlines 767 captain, flying routes like LaGuardia to Heathrow.

“We’re not necessarily seeking credit, but we love seeing our students succeed. It motivates us every morning to put on our shoes, come to work, and do it all over again,” says Kyle Preston, vice president and co-owner.

"We allow our employees to take ownership of their areas of work, which helps leaps and bounds with attitude"

In another success story, a Navy hospital corpsman and a civilian with no military background earned their CFI certification simultaneously within 24 months. One rose to captain at SkyWest Airlines, while the other pilots a Boeing 777 aircraft for Kalitta Air.

Del Sol’s influence is palpable at industry gatherings like the Rotary to Airline Group (RTAG) convention. Now thriving in prominent aviation roles, alums share their journeys, further cementing Del Sol’s reputation. This positive feedback continually draws new students to Del Sol, often through stellar recommendations.

“We have individuals approaching us for training because their pilot friends said to look no further than Del Sol in Albuquerque,” adds Kyle Preston.

The world of aviation is vast and demanding, but Del Sol simplifies the path and empowers aspiring pilots to take flight confidently. It is building a community of professionals whose successes echo throughout the aviation sector, promoting a legacy of excellence that attracts the next generation of pilots.

Diverse Expertise for Flight Training Success

Del Sol’s remarkable flight training record is supported by a diverse, highly skilled team.

The proximity to Kirtland AFB and the affiliation with the SkillBridge Program enriches the training environment. Activeduty members and veterans provide students with invaluable mentorship and practical insights. The flight school employs three veterans, but this number fluctuates as instructors rotate in and out.

Del Sol’s roster of 15 flight instructors is notably diverse. The chief flight instructor is a retired airline pilot with extensive experience, while the assistant chief instructor is a former NASA scientist. Other instructors include a former homicide detective, a chemical engineer, a systems engineer, and a former Army drone pilot from the 10th Mountain Division. While flight instructors typically stay for about 12 months before transitioning to the industry, Del Sol supports them with safe, well-maintained aircraft, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality training.

The school also benefits from an ample supply of designated pilot examiners (DPE), ensuring timely performance evaluations. Del Sol’s smooth operations are further supported by long-tenured dispatchers, aircraft mechanics, and accounting staff.

Rick and Kyle Preston’s management style embraces empowerment, autonomy and initiative, fostering a strong sense of responsibility and engagement within the team.

“We allow our employees to take ownership of their areas of work, which helps leaps and bounds with attitude,” explains Kyle. “When we assign them tasks that align with their expertise, we step back and observe the results it yields. And the outcomes have been nothing short of spectacular.”

A notable example of this approach is Del Sol’s maintenance director, a retired Sikorsky Aircraft employee who previously managed overseas service centers for the Black Hawk helicopter in Tel Aviv. When he joined Del Sol, he implemented the same high standards and operational practices in its maintenance program, replacing parts and conducting inspections well beyond FAA recommendations. This proactive approach has prevented significant breakdowns for the past six years. Forward-thinking practices like this extend across all areas, including the front desk team, which efficiently manages flight dispatches and crew scheduling.

Looking ahead, Del Sol is expanding its training programs and upgrading its simulation facilities to accommodate larger simulators for type-rating air transport pilots. The team is also pursuing FAA certification to become a Part 141 Pilot school and is in discussions with city administrators regarding plans for a new, larger facility.

Amid a critical pilot shortage driven by retirements and training delays, Del Sol is quickly and effectively training pilots to fill vital roles. More than just a one-stop training center, the flight school is shaping the future of aviation—where opportunities are vast, and the skies are indeed the limit. For Del Sol Aviation, the sky isn’t just for the elite—it’s for anyone with the ambition to soar.