About Us | Flight School Near Raleigh-Durham, NC

Brian's love for aviation started at the age of 4 when he told his grandfather he wanted to be a pilot and a surgeon. He did not like blood, so he opted for the aviation route and got his Private Pilot's License at 16. He obtained the rest of his rating from Spartan School of Aeronautics and instructed for about three years before stepping away from aviation for over 25 years.

In 2020, due to a tragedy, he wanted to return to aviation and began flight instruction again. While teaching, he witnessed a lack of professionalism and care for the student's needs. Providing quality flight instruction for the next generation of aviation professionals became a priority. Core stick and rudder skills had been lost due to a heavy reliance on avionics rather than understanding aircraft performance in flight. Brian wanted to make a difference for pilots in training and launched Fredrickson Aviation. The school's primary goal is to provide quality instruction and focus on individual needs while driving students to have higher standards and safety.

Dan Fassler's aviation journey took off in the winter of 2005 in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he spent four years earning his Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI ratings. Though it took time, the experiences and knowledge he gained from fellow pilots, instructors, and mechanics were invaluable. His passion for teaching led him to become a flight instructor in 2009, and he thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with new pilots. In February 2024, Dan joined Fredrickson Aviation after meeting Brian and discussing an accelerated CFI program. The opportunity was a perfect fit, with a high demand for training and a team of experienced instructors. Dan is excited to be part of Fredrickson Aviation and continue his adventure in aviation.

In addition to his role at Fredrickson Aviation, Dan teaches aviation at Westridge High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. He has accumulated over 1,800 total flight hours, including 51 multi-engine hours, and holds a Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument rating with a First-Class Medical Certificate.

Glenn (Ruogu) Xu was born and raised in China, where pursuing an aviation career is prestigious yet restrictive. At 16, he moved to the U.S. by himself to pursue an education. After relocating from New England to the Midwest for college, Glenn found the opportunity to learn to fly while completing his Master's degree in education.

His passion for aviation developed after earning his Private Pilot License (PPL), leading him to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) while working full-time. Aspiring to understand the mental processes behind learning in aviation, Glenn is pursuing a PhD at UNC and joined Fredrickson Aviation to study, assist, appreciate, and grow within the field. Glenn is willing to help our students expand their knowledge about the aviation industry and prepare for their aviation pursuits.

Courtney graduated high school at 16 and started her aviation career shortly after. After her first flight, she immediately fell in love and decided to move forward with her career as a pilot. By the time she was 19 she had acquired her COM-MULTI and decided to take a break from school to explore other options. Ironically, Brian Fredrickson helped her get her multi from a different school and that started their friendship. After that Brian became Courtneys aviation mentor or as Courtney calls him her "airport dad" . After working as a line tech for almost two years and flying as a contract pilot she saw that Brian Fredrickson had opened his own flight school and knew that teaching is where she needed to be. After months of hard work she passed her CFI checkride and is now a full time CFI for Fredrickson aviation. She is looking forward to adding CFII and MEI to her instruction certificate.

Hunter found his love for aviation at the age of 13, on his first commercial airline trip. The joy of travel and the impressive machinery lit a spark-a spark that was already part of his blood, thanks to his mother, aunt, grandfather, and uncle, who had all earned their Private Pilot Licenses before him. From there, a drive and determination set in.

Hunter started his flight training January 8th 2024 and took off from there, finishing his CFII and MEI on October 21st 2024, after which his love of aviation, pride in providing quality instruction, and never ceasing to learn only continued. Hunter joined the team in July 2025 and has been part of the family ever since.

Will Bailey graduated from Person High School, and is deeply connected to Person County, NC.

Will completed flight training at Elizabeth City State University, obtaining a B.S. in Aviation Science while getting his private, instrument, and commercial ratings. After college, he married the love of his life, Marilu, and moved back to Person County where they both work at My Life Matters, a Christian Nonprofit. After a year of focusing on family and his call to MLM, he decided to get his CFI certificate and become an instructor to help others achieve their dreams of learning to fly.

James is a CFI, CFII, and MEI who spent over a decade flying as an instrument-rated private pilot before pursuing his commercial and instructor certificates. This experience gives James a practical approach to flight training, emphasizing safety, sound decision-making, and lifelong learning. He is passionate about helping develop the next generation of aviators in a fun, supportive environment. James believes instruction should be driven by purpose, not simply by building hours. When he’s not flying, he travels around the country as a healthcare strategy consultant. Aviation remains his favorite “fun job.”

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Founded on high standards, true stick-and-rudder airmanship, and an unwavering commitment to personalized student success.

Meet Our Leadership & Flight Team

Brian Fredrickson

Andy Senter

Dan Fassler

Glenn (Ruogu) Xu

Courtney Rodgers

Hunter Weavil

Will Bailey

James Ensor

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