Morrison Aviation Provides Safe, Proficient Flight Training at Palestine Municipal Airport

Morrison Aviation in Palestine, Texas, is keeping up with demand for new pilots through its flight school. What starts with a Discovery Flight that puts students in the cockpit for the first time can lead to a lifelong hobby or lasting career.

“My goal is to produce a safe, proficient pilot, and that drives every decision and every lesson,” says Rick Morrison, founder of the flight school. “Anybody can go out today and decide they want to fly. I invite anybody who is interested in aviation to schedule a Discovery Flight.”

Morrison has been a flight instructor for six years and a certified pilot for 33 years. He’s been passionate about flying ever since someone took him up in the air when he was 12. Today, his school, which operates out of Palestine Municipal Airport (KPSN) and Cherokee County Airport (KJSO), attracts students from two or three hours away.

The Palestine Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) played a role in bringing Morrison Aviation to Palestine, helping connect the business with local opportunities and resources as it established its presence in the community. 

Morrison Lets People Fly for the First Time

Morrison’s passion for flying is palpable when you ask why someone should sign up for a Discovery Flight. He says that humans have tried for thousands of years to fly – it’s even written in the earliest myths with Icarus crafting wings and sailing too close to the sun – and we only just achieved this dream a century ago.

“Our world changed in 60 seconds when the Wright brothers flew 120 feet in 1903,” he says. “For centuries, no matter how much money you had, no matter how powerful you were, you could never fly with the birds in the sky. We have that ability now.”

Before becoming a flight instructor, Morrison worked as a pastor for 25 years. While his faith still drives him, he is also a minister for the skies, encouraging people interested in aviation to explore how they could become pilots themselves. He uses his experience guiding and teaching in the church to address students in the air and help them overcome hurdles.

“I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t want to learn to fly,” he says.  

The School Supports Both Hobbyists and Professionals

You don’t need a future as a commercial pilot to sign up for a Discovery Flight. Morrison works with residents across East Texas who want to become pilots as a hobby. He’s flexible with their schedules, planning flights in the afternoons and on weekends to accommodate traditional work hours. However, Morrison is also happy to help people step into aviation career fields with additional certifications.

“The people we train cover a wide spectrum,” he says. “We have people who want to fly for pleasure and students who want to build their careers.”

Morrison specifically highlights a student who began flying at 19 and has since become a flight instructor.

Students who enroll in flight school become private pilots first and can then progress through various ratings set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Each certification comes with flight time requirements, meaning students need to gain experience in the air before they can reach certain levels. It's natural for students to become certified flight instructors (CFIs) to add to their flight hours. Morrison has two sons, both of whom are CFIs. 

Morrison’s Dedication Attracts Students to Palestine

Pilot training is more important than ever, with an estimated shortage of 24,000 pilots worldwide. Age is one of the biggest drivers of this shortage, as the FAA requires pilots to retire at 65. There is also an immediate need to address shortages from a training perspective – airlines often pair less experienced pilots with their more experienced peers in the cockpit. The sooner new pilots can enter the industry, the more they can learn from their seasoned counterparts before they retire.

Unfortunately, this creates a problem with pilot training. More pilots are getting hired by major airlines, causing them to leave their students. Morrison says he has one student who had three flight instructors before him, and they just kept leaving for full-time pilot jobs.

Morrison isn’t going anywhere. He is committed to staying in East Texas and working as a flight instructor. This provides stability that attracts students from three hours away. “My students know that I’m committed,” he adds.

Morrison is also an elite flight instructor. He is a Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) by the FAA, which means 87% of students pass their checkride on the first try.

“It’s an honor to receive this designation, but it also took a lot of diligence to get to this point,” he says.

Morrison understands that every student learns differently, and he tailors his lessons to help them understand how to fly. For example, he has 15 to 20 ways to teach students how to land because people think through the process in different ways.

“We all have plateaus in the learning process, and my goal is to help students break through,” he says.

This balance between commitment to teaching students and flexibility in learning makes Morrison one of the top instructors in East Texas and turns Palestine into a hub for aviation education. 

Learn More About Life in Palestine

Morrison Aviation at Palestine Municipal Airport is a strong asset to the community, and one of many reasons people live and work in the area. Discover other industries in Palestine and the location advantages of being here. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Palestine Economic Development Corporation (PEDC). We’re happy to help you grow your business and enjoy a bright future here.