Disclosures, Terms & Privacy
Last updated: October 20, 2026
1. Who we are (regulatory status)
Old Wes Flying is the business name under which Jake McHenry provides flight and ground instruction as an independent, FAA-certificated flight instructor under 14 CFR Part 61. Old Wes Flying is not an FAA-approved pilot school or provisional pilot school under 14 CFR Part 141, and does not hold an air carrier or operating certificate under 14 CFR Parts 119/121/135. In short: Old Wes Flying is not an FAA-approved Part 141 pilot school. Nothing on this site should be read as describing an “FAA-certified,” “FAA-approved,” or “accredited” school.
We provide flight instruction only. We do not offer charter, air taxi, sightseeing, aerial tour, or other passenger-carrying flights for compensation or hire. An introductory lesson is a genuine instructional flight for a prospective student pilot, who manipulates the controls under instruction; it is not a ride.
Verify any instructor’s FAA certificate at the FAA Airmen Inquiry. Intro lessons are instruction only.
2. Independent contractor statement
Jake McHenry instructs as an independent contractor, not as an employee or agent of any airport, FBO, flying club, or aircraft owner. Where you rent an aircraft from an FBO or club, that rental is a separate agreement between you and that provider, governed by its rules, rates, checkout, and insurance requirements. Training is conducted in the student’s own aircraft or an aircraft rented from a local FBO or flying club.
3. Training hours, timelines & results
Hour figures on this site are FAA minimums (e.g., 40 flight hours for a private pilot certificate under 14 CFR 61.109; instrument-rating experience under 61.65). National averages are substantially higher, and your actual time, cost, and schedule depend on aptitude, frequency of training, weather, aircraft availability, and other factors. We do not guarantee that you will pass any knowledge test or practical test, or finish within any number of hours, days, or dollars. Practical tests are conducted by an FAA inspector or Designated Pilot Examiner, not by your instructor.
Your instructor will provide required logbook endorsements (e.g., solo, cross-country, knowledge test and practical test recommendations under 14 CFR 61.87, 61.93, 61.35, 61.103, and 61.39) only when you have met the applicable requirements, consistent with FAA AC 61-65 (current edition).
4. Insurance
Renters and owners should carry their own coverage. If you rent, we strongly recommend renter’s / non-owned aircraft liability and hull insurance; FBO or club policies may not protect you personally. If you train in your own aircraft, confirm with your insurer that instruction by an independent CFI is covered. Students should carry appropriate renter’s or owner’s insurance; ask about instructor coverage.
5. TSA flight training security & citizenship
Federal law (49 CFR part 1552) requires flight training providers to verify citizenship. U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals must present proof (e.g., a valid U.S. passport, or an original/certified birth certificate with government-issued photo ID) before training begins; the instructor keeps a record. Non-U.S. citizens generally must apply through the TSA Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) and receive approval before beginning training toward a certificate or rating; see fts.tsa.dhs.gov. Your instructor completes required TSA security-awareness training.
6. Medical certificate & BasicMed
You need a medical certificate (or, where eligible, BasicMed under 14 CFR Part 68 / 61.113(i)) before you fly solo as a student pilot; dual lessons with an instructor do not require one, but we recommend getting your medical early to avoid surprises. BasicMed requires having held an FAA medical certificate after July 14, 2006, so most new students will need an FAA medical exam from an Aviation Medical Examiner. Sport pilot privileges may use a U.S. driver’s license under applicable rules. See FAA Medical Certification.
7. Terms
- Rates for instruction are quoted on inquiry and confirmed in writing; aircraft rental, fuel, examiner, testing, and materials fees are separate unless stated. Scheduling, cancellation, and payment terms are provided in writing before your first lesson.
- All flights are subject to weather, aircraft airworthiness, and the instructor’s judgment as pilot in command; lessons may be cancelled or ended for safety.
- Website content is general information, not legal or regulatory advice; consult the current 14 CFR and FAA guidance.
- Advertising: we aim to make truthful, substantiated claims consistent with FTC Act §5 and California Business & Professions Code §17500. Please tell us if anything here is unclear.
8. Privacy
Our host, Cloudflare, may collect basic, anonymized traffic analytics; this site uses no advertising cookies. The inquiry form opens your own email app; we receive only what you choose to send. We use contact information only to respond and to schedule training, keep training and TSA citizenship records as legally required, and do not sell or share personal information. California residents may request access to or deletion of their information (subject to record-keeping obligations) by emailing [email protected].
9. Accessibility
We want this site usable by everyone and aim toward WCAG 2.1 AA (text alternatives, keyboard navigation, visible focus, readable contrast). If anything is hard to use, call (918) 808-0596 or email and we’ll help directly.