Huffman Aviation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Flight training |
| Predecessor | Venice Flying Service |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Venice, Florida , United States |
Key people | Rudi Dekkers (owner from 1999 to 2003) |
| Products | Flight training for private pilot licenses, instrument ratings, commercial pilot certifications, multi-engine endorsements, flight instructor qualifications |
Huffman Aviation operated as a flight training institution located at Venice Municipal Airport in Venice, Florida.
Background
Originally established in 1972 under the name Venice Flying Service, the organization was restructured in 1987 and renamed Huffman Aviation. In 1999, Rudi Dekkers took ownership of the school, which at that time maintained a fleet consisting of 12 light aircraft. The curriculum included instruction for private pilot licenses, instrument ratings, commercial pilot certifications, multi-engine endorsements, and flight instructor qualifications; however, training for larger jet airplanes was not part of their offerings.
In 2003, Dekkers divested from Huffman Aviation.
9/11 pilots
The institution became widely known following the September 11 attacks, when it emerged that hijackers Mohamed Atta, Ziad Jarrah, and Marwan al-Shehhi had received small aircraft flight training there. Their instruction commenced in July 2000. Subsequently, in August of that year, the school submitted M-1 student visa applications to change their status from tourists to students, allowing participation in a professional pilot program set to run from September 1, 2000, through September 1, 2001. Approval for these visas was granted by mid-2001.
Throughout their training period, Marwan al-Shehhi and Mohamed Atta temporarily stayed with an employee of the company, whereas Jarrah lodged with a German fellow student. Both Atta and al-Shehhi were instructed by Iván Chirivella, who later authored a book recounting his experiences.
Security issues
In January 2002, Huffman Aviation came under scrutiny after a journalist was able to enter its premises without restriction, freely moving among aircraft cockpits and fuel storage areas without any security interference. Furthermore, in March of the same year, authorities cited the school for leaving fuel trucks unsecured with keys left in the ignition at Venice Municipal Airport.