After World War II, many veterans realized they still had a passion for flying aircraft. Pilots, gunners and other crew members continued looking for ways to fly, but the increase in recreational flying brought an increase in tragic crashes.

In the early 1950s, Air Force Gen. Curtis LeMay decided that if veterans were going to fly planes, they should learn to do it safely. With a few Piper Cub planes, LeMay started the first “aero clubs,” dedicated to training aspiring pilots in the safe operation and maintenance of aircraft. One of the first four such clubs was started at Pete Field – now Peterson Space Force Base – in 1951.

This year the Peterson Aero Club, now officially named the Rocky Mountain USAF Flight Training Center, is celebrating 75 years of aviation training within the military. Located at Hangar 133, the aero club’s 25 instructors offer training for every available pilot rating or certificate.

“The club technically falls under morale, welfare and recreation,” said chief instructor Justin Hoover. “But over the years we have transitioned to a major vocational school for pilot training. Now, we’re one of the biggest such schools on the Front Range.”

As aero clubs grew in popularity, their role within the Air Force began to evolve. Now, the Peterson club serves in several mission support capacities, including moving personnel, handling courier duties and participating in specialized missions.

But Hoover and his fellow instructors take particular pride in their ability to teach prospective pilots to fly as safely as possible. The Rocky Mountain USAF Flight Training Center is consistently recognized as one of the top flight schools in the U.S. The club was named a distinguished flight school in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. 

Anyone 16 years of age or older who can get onto Peterson Space Force Base can begin instruction to obtain a private pilot’s license.

“You can solo a plane at 16,” Hoover explained. “You have to be at least 17 to obtain a private pilot’s license. If you’re old enough, and you can get on the base, we’ll teach you.”

Manager Meagen Liggins said she enjoys the collegial atmosphere of the aero club.

“Being around pilots, and working with them, is the best,” said Liggins, who has been with the aero club for 11 years. “They like doing what they’re doing, so they’re almost always in a good mood. Every day is a good day.”

The club has several events planned to commemorate 75 years of flight instruction. There’s a movie night planned for June, an Aviation Day in August or September, and an Aero Club Legends event in October or November, officials said.

When asked to name an Aero Club legend, Hoover and Liggins looked at each other and said, simultaneously, “Bob.”

Robert “Bob” Jerman, a retired Air Force pilot, spent more than 30 years as the Aero Club’s chief instructor, training service members and veterans who share his belief that everything looks better when viewed from the sky.

“A lot of people are wanting to learn to fly, whether they grew up with that urge, or developed it later in life,” said Jerman, who served in the Air Force from 1956-1980. “They have a lot of fun flying, and I had a lot of fun teaching them.”

Jerman joined the Aero Club in 1990 and led the group of instructors until he retired in 2023 at age 87.

“He’s still very sharp, and I’ll bet he could still do the job,” Liggins said. “He just decided it was time.”

“I was an instructor for the Aero Club for longer than I was on active duty,” said Jerman, now 90. “It’s the people that make it stand out. It’s a friendly, welcoming atmosphere where you can learn technical skills, enjoy learning to fly, and be around good people.”

The Aero Club currently has 265 members and 12 aircraft, officials said. All aircraft maintenance is performed in-house by their three mechanics.

Anyone interested in becoming a pilot begins with private pilot ground school, offered several times a year. After ground school, a student begins learning flight techniques, working one-on-one with an instructor, accruing flight hours before taking the test that certifies them as a pilot.

Once certified, a private pilot can go beyond the basics; the Peterson Aero Club offers additional flight certifications including instrument rating, commercial pilot, certified flight instructor and airline transport pilot.

“Whether you are beginning as a zero-time student pilot, or you have hundreds of hours of experience, we can train you here at the Aero Club,” Hoover said.

“Everybody here works together to make sure everyone is learning as much as they can. I think that’s why we have such a good reputation.”