UPDATE: “Slipstream Aviation is continuing to grow, and is pleased to debut their new website! Visit www.flyslipstreamaviation.com to see the latest offerings in flight training, and connect with the Flight School!”
Hidden not far from downtown Carrollton, is the West Georgia Regional Airport, home to an emerging flight school. Eric Marnell, owner and chief pilot, has brought Slipstream Aviation to the community, sharing his lifelong passion for aviation.
Eric’s love for aviation blossomed at just six days old when his father placed him in a car seat and took him on his first flight in a single-engine aircraft. Growing up as a military kid in upstate New York, he vividly remembers flying above the trees and witnessing the vibrant fall colors. Later he joined the Air Force as a jet mechanic, maintaining a connection to general aviation throughout his career. Now, Eric is fully committed to bringing his love of the skies to the community through Slipstream Aviation.
The idea for Slipstream Aviation began with a simple realization: the community needed a flight school with an accessible and approachable office. “I recognized that there was a huge need for a flight school with somebody on the field with an office who’s here during normal business hours,” Eric explains.
At Slipstream aspiring pilots can walk into the office, meet Eric in person, ask questions, and evaluate the programs. “We’ve had a lot of people come in, and rather than getting some number on the back of a post-it note, they actually get to meet me, and I can explain the process,” says Eric.
Slipstream offers discovery flights and a variety of training packages designed to meet the needs of aspiring pilots. The private pilot package includes a year of ForeFlight for iPad, all necessary ground school materials, and a year of non-owned aircraft insurance. This comprehensive package also provides 50 hours of instruction, 40 hours in the airplane with an instructor and 10 hours solo. The instrument package builds on this foundation, offering 75 hours of instruction, 50 hours in the plane and 25 hours with an instructor.
In addition to private and instrument training, Slipstream prepares students for commercial ratings and certifications as Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) or Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) with hourly rentals, time-builder discounts, and avionics training available.
Currently, Slipstream operates with one aircraft, a 1980 Cessna 172 November model, featuring dual G5 avionics, a Garmin 650Xi touchscreen GPS, ADS-B in and out, Nexrad weather, and a Bluetooth audio panel. Plans for the future consist of adding more aircraft, including a multi-engine one.
In addition to Eric, Slipstream Aviation boasts “an incredible cadre of instructors.” The chief flight instructor, Thomas Johnson, also works full-time with NetJets. Another instructor, William Murphy, is a newly minted CFII from Middle Georgia College, working towards accumulating the hours needed to transition to commercial aviation. Austin Ford serves as both an instructor and a mechanic on the field, flying various aircraft, including the military C-47 and the Piper Cheyenne. The newest member of the team, Duncan Gillis, balances his regular nine-to-five job with instructing at Slipstream on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Eric aims not only to have a thriving flight school but also to support and boost the local airport and community. “The airport brings a lot of business to the community, so I want to be a good partner and make sure that we can grow together,” he says.
Eric’s commitment to the community extends beyond the flight school. He has supported local embroidery and sign shops for the school’s branding. The airport authority has also been incredibly supportive of Slipstream Aviation. “They have been fantastic,” Eric adds.
With comprehensive training programs, experienced instructors, and a supportive community, Slipstream is ready to help you take to the skies. Find them inside the main building at 635 Regional Airport Rd, Carrollton, GA 30117. While their website is coming soon, you can give them a call at (678) 763-6509 or send an email to [email protected].
