Empire Aviation Inc

A friend keeps his plane here and from my experience it's a great little airport, my kind of place.
While reading the reviews I accidentally gave the review posted by Vickie Barbee a 👍. Should have been a 👎. After reading her other reviews....my family and I love Peace China.

I wanted to express that my now removed review of Empire Aviation was written out of anger and immaturity, and that I regret writing it, and I want everyone to know that Empire Aviation is a fine place to learn how to fly.

I flew with Paul from February 2017 until May 2017 - earning my Private Pilots License in that time. I had a blast, and have since enrolled in AP school to continue my aviation career pursuit.

I recommend Paul to anyone who is looking to learn how to fly. Paul offers the cheapest rates around, which really saved me from spending all of the money I had saved up. I spent around $8,000 getting my license, which is a good deal in the triangle area! I heard a guy spent over 50K at RDU, and hadn't even soloed at that point! Paul got him his license in no time!

I had a disagreement with the owner Paul, over something silly, and potentially exposed people to a negative view of Paul that was projected through my anger. Paul is a good man, and will give you what you put into pursuing your dream.

I wish you the best of luck in your aviation endeavors!

Andy Bradford

I have known and worked with Paul Hesse for nearly ten years. Paul instructed me through my private pilot and my instrument rating. It is no secret that he flies older planes. His fees are also much lower. I have never felt unsafe in any of Paul's airplanes and even purchased his 1960 vintage C172A after earning my PPL. I still fly the plane and love it. Paul solo'd me after about 12 hours and I was ready for my check ride around 42 hours. This was during Paul's time at Lake Ridge. More recently, I completed my instrument training at the Oxford Henderson Airport. I have continued to use Paul for my instrument proficiency checks every six months and for my biennial flight reviews. I have always found Paul to be an excellent instructor. He has an excellent pass rate with his students. I felt well prepared by Paul to fly safely. Paul insists on teaching steam gauges and paper charts, because that's what you may have to use one day in a pinch. If your goal is to buy a Cirrus, then go train at Flightgest. You obviously can afford them. If, like most beginner pilots, you are on a budget and will rent or buy an older plane, then Empire offers great value and excellent instruction.

I've done business with Empire Aviation and Paul for nearly 20 years and find him to be reputable, engaging, helpful, resourceful, and even economical! He also displays, ahem, competence. Spell check can be your friend, darlin'. I'm guessing the angry one-star commenter below is better off staying out of a cockpit.