![\"IMG_FLT_CLIFF_AUSTIN-5\"](\"https:\/\/www.envoyair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_FLT_CLIFF_AUSTIN-5.jpg\" "\\"Three")
<\/a>Cliff never really felt like bragging about his father\u2019s job. That\u2019s because from an early age, Wes Austin instilled in his son the importance of \u201cworking hard for what you believe in,\u201d says Cliff.<\/p>\nThe belief that Cliff could become a pilot for American Airlines began the moment he walked through the American Airlines Training Center with a sign above the door that reads, \u201cThrough these doors pass the world\u2019s greatest pilots.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trips to the training center and the simulators were \u201cinstrumental\u201d in wanting to fly for American Eagle and eventually American, Cliff says. Most importantly, he dreamed of flying with his father even if it’s not in the cockpit.<\/p>\n
Cliff says that he\u2019ll be proud to join his father in full uniform on his last flight before retirement to honor the man who helped him become the pilot he is today. That began when his father bought him one hour on a Cessna 152 for his discovery flight at 13 years old. That was when he was bit hardest by the \u201cflying bug\u201d, Cliff says.<\/p>\n Afterward, Cliff bought all of the flight simulator games, played them non-stop and even would practice using his father\u2019s flight charts. One day, he forgot to replace the charts and Wes arrived to work without them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe got in trouble because of me,\u201d says Cliff. \u201cHe was mad, but I just told him, Dad, I\u2019m just learning my stuff to be like you.\u201d<\/p>\n His experience at Berry gave Cliff the solid foundation to build his aviation career. He learned everything from the \u201cbottom of the totem pole\u201d and was inspired to climb his way to the top, he says.<\/p>\n The money he earned at Berry was used to receive his private flying license, and soon his instrument ratings, multi-engine time and eventually his commercial pilot license.<\/p>\n One day, searching for an instructor to earn his instrument ratings, Cliff saw Sara. Immediately drawn to her like a plane to a waypoint, he asked if she would instruct him.\u00a0She said, no.<\/p>\n Cliff waited for another opportunity to ask her and finally she agreed. By the end of the first lesson, he asked her out and they hit it off. Now, married for 13 years, Cliff recalls the first moment he saw her, \u201cshe was my guiding light.\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as he could, Cliff found a job flying for an airline touring the Grand Canyon. He describes his time flying De Havilland Canada Twin Otters as the \u201cWild, Wild West.\u201d<\/p>\n Everything was hands-on without any automation. The runways were sometimes paved, sometimes dirt.<\/p>\n But he loved flying over Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. With his first Part 121 job as a First Officer, he was able to gain his hours to become an Envoy Pilot.<\/p>\n Envoy was the right choice for Cliff because of his 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.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nLove At First Flight<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Cliff\u2019s goal was to pay for flight lessons and college through his own hard work. He began earning money working as a fueler and line handler at Berry Aviation in San Marcos.<\/p>\nWestern Tailwinds
<\/a><\/h3>\nThe Envoy Way<\/h3>\n