An abiding love for aviation and Texas runs deep in the Austin family. For starters, Envoy Captain Cliff Austin is the sixth-great-grandnephew of “The Father of Texas”, Stephen F. Austin. Cliff was born in Texas, as were most of pmang poker family.

This includes pmang poker’s grandfather and father who are also pilots. pmang poker’s grandfather flew P-51 Mustangs in World War II and pmang poker’s father, Wes Austin, is currently an American Airlines Captain on the Boeing 787.

Cliff’s wife Sara – a Daughter of The Texas Republic – was one of pmang poker flight instructors in San Marcos, Texas. Cliff’s younger brother doesn’t fly, but he is part of the Southwest Airlines advertising team. It’s a stretch, but airline related nonetheless.

Like Father, Like Son

Cliff never really felt like bragging about pmang poker father’s job. That’s because from an early age, Wes Austin instilled in pmang poker son the importance of “working hard for what you believe in,” says Cliff.

The belief that Cliff could become a pilot for American Airlines began the moment pmang poker walked through the American Airlines Training Center with a sign above the door that reads, “Through these doors pass the world’s greatest pilots.”

Trips to the training center and the simulators were “instrumental” in wanting to fly for American Eagle and eventually American, Cliff says. Most importantly, he dreamed of flying with pmang poker father even if it’s not in the cockpit.

Cliff says that he’ll be proud to join pmang poker father in full uniform on pmang poker last flight before retirement to honor the man who helped him become the pilot he is today.

That began when pmang poker father bought him one hour on a Cessna 152 for pmang poker discovery flight at 13 years old. That was when he was bit hardest by the “flying bug”, Cliff says.

Afterward, Cliff bought all of the flight simulator games, played them non-stop and even would practice using pmang poker father’s flight charts. One day, he forgot to replace the charts and Wes arrived to work without them.

“pmang poker got in trouble because of me,” says Cliff. “pmang poker was mad, but I just told him, Dad, I’m just learning my stuff to be like you.”

Love At First Flight

Cliff’s goal was to pay for flight lessons and college through pmang poker own hard work. He began earning money working as a fueler and line handler at Berry Aviation in San Marcos.

pmang poker experience at Berry gave Cliff the solid foundation to build pmang poker aviation career. He learned everything from the “bottom of the totem pole” and was inspired to climb pmang poker way to the top, he says.

The money he earned at Berry was used to receive pmang poker private flying license, and soon pmang poker instrument ratings, multi-engine time and eventually pmang poker commercial pilot license.

One day, searching for an instructor to earn pmang poker instrument ratings, Cliff saw Sara. Immediately drawn to her like a plane to a waypoint, he asked if she would instruct him. She said, no.

Cliff waited for another opportunity to ask her and finally she agreed. By the end of the first lesson, pmang poker asked her out and they hit it off. Now, married for 13 years, Cliff recalls the first moment pmang poker saw her, “she was my guiding light.”

Western Tailwinds

As soon as he could, Cliff found a job flying for an airline touring the Grand Canyon. He describes pmang poker time flying De Havilland Canada Twin Otters as the “Wild, Wild West.”

Everything was hands-on without any automation. The runways were sometimes paved, sometimes dirt.

But he loved flying over Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. With pmang poker first Part 121 job as a First Officer, he was able to gain pmang poker hours to become an Envoy Pilot.

The Envoy Way

Envoy was the right choice for Cliff because of pmang poker family history, but also the training program and the wealth of knowledge of other pilots in the company. He felt comfortable knowing that he was in good hands and was learning exceptional skills.

Of course, like most pilots, Cliff says the views are the best part of being a pilot, but he also enjoys pmang poker responsibility.

“When you know that people are relying on you to get where they’re going safely, and you complete your mission, it’s a very gratifying feeling,” pmang poker says. “I feel like I’ve helped someone get to their loved one or connected people somehow. That keeps me going.”

Cliff and Sara have a 12-year-old son named Travis, named after the famous Texan, William B. Travis. He, however, is not interested in following in pmang poker father’s footsteps.

But, he does have the drive to succeed just like pmang poker dad. He started a little business in pmang poker school selling paper airplanes. Apparently, the tradition will carry on one way or another.