Why I Started Next Gen Pilot Training™
I’m Connor Bynum, Certified Flight Instructor, CFII, and Commercial Pilot based in Arizona.
I created Next Gen Pilot Training™ because when I was a student, I saw how overwhelming and inconsistent aviation training can feel. Most people don’t discuss that aspect. They talk about how fun flying is (which it is), but they don’t always give you a plan or tell you why you’re doing what you’re doing.
I needed something more structured. Something that gave me clarity at every step.
So I built it.
My Background
Trained to Fly. Wired to Organize.
I earned my ratings through Sierra Charlie Aviation, one of the most respected training programs in the country. From day one, I was immersed in high standards, safety-first operations, and real professionalism.
But I quickly realized that my biggest strength wasn’t just flying; it was how I could take complex information and make it understandable to others. I naturally started building checklists, visual guides, and review tools, just to help myself stay on track.
Those tools eventually became the foundation for what I’m now sharing with other students through this platform.
MY APPROACH TO TEACHING
You Don’t Need to Be Told, You Need to Be Taught
My teaching style is simple:
- Be clear
- Be supportive
- Be structured
I remember how it felt to be a student who wanted to do well but didn’t always know what to expect. That’s why I focus so much on setting expectations from day one. Every lesson I give includes a plan, a post-flight quiz or review, and measurable goals.
You’ll know exactly where you are and what’s coming next, no surprises, no confusion.
My Secret Sauce: Turning Your Curriculum Into Gold
I don’t replace your curriculum, I amplify it.
You bring the structure. I deliver it through the lens of how each student learns best. Whether it’s a kinesthetic learner who thrives on cockpit flow or a visual learner who benefits from diagrams and flowcharts, I adapt the delivery, not the content.
Then I bring each lesson to life with real-world flying examples, followed by scenario-driven questions that stimulate deeper thinking. Each lesson wraps up with a targeted quiz to reinforce retention, all while staying fully FAA-compliant and aligned with your school’s SOPs and ACS requirements.
How I Personalize Your Learning
Not everyone learns the same way, and that’s something traditional flight instruction often overlooks.
To help each student succeed more quickly and confidently, I developed a tool called the Learning Style Selector. It identifies how you naturally absorb and retain information, whether that’s visually, verbally, kinesthetically, through reading/writing, or through logic, and I adjust the delivery to match.
The five learning styles I teach:
Visual
Flowcharts, cockpit diagrams, and motion-based checklists
Auditory
Preflight briefings, callouts, and spoken walk-throughs
Kinesthetic
Cockpit flows, step-by-step maneuvers, and hands-on repetition
Reading/Writing
Written notes, summaries, and ACS-based outlines
Logical
Systems sequencing, performance calculations, and “what-if” decision trees
This isn’t extra BS, it’s how we reduce overwhelm, improve understanding, and make every flight hour more effective.
Want to know how you learn best?
Take the 10-question Learning Style Quiz, and I’ll tailor your lesson strategy from day one.
Who I Work With
Helping the Next Wave of Pilots, and the Teams That Train Them
Right now, I work with:
- Student pilots starting from zero or preparing for checkrides
- Pilots returning to flying who want a structured refresher
- Flight schools that need support tools and a modern curriculum, and feedback
- Operators seeking checklist-driven, coachable contract pilots
Even though I’m early in my professional journey, I’m focused on being dependable, teachable, and ready to contribute. I bring a calm presence, a methodical mindset, and a passion for doing things the right way.
A Note To Instructors And Schools
I’m Not Here to Disrupt, I’m Here to Support
I want to be clear: I deeply respect the experience and systems that flight schools and senior instructors bring to aviation. My goal is not to replace what works, but to offer support where there are gaps.
Everything I’ve built, lesson structures, quizzes, debrief templates, is designed to fit inside your existing SOPs and ACS standards. If you’re open to collaborating with someone who brings energy, organization, and fresh thinking, I’d be honored to work with your program.