07/08/2026
It's always great to see Marcellus get recognized for his hard work and dedication.
What does it take to go from teaching in a Cessna to flying a corporate jet? ✈️
Marcellus Freeman knew he wanted to fly from the age of six, watching aircraft lift off from O'Hare while riding along with his father. He turned that early spark into action at Illinois Aviation Academy, first as a student and then as a Certified Flight Instructor. The hours he spent guiding students through weather changes, first solos, and checkride prep help sharpen skills in Crew Resource Management, his composure under pressure, and his ability to think quickly in the cockpit. Instructing also taught him to stay calm and keep situational awareness when conditions shifted fast. Today he flies the Hawker 900XP for Gary Jet Center, where landing speeds run more than double what he trained on in a Cessna 172. That meant doing twice the work in half the time, and the foundation he built while instructing at IAA is what helped him adapt to the pace of corporate aviation.
Read his full story and see how flight training can help open doors in aviation. 👉 https://loom.ly/2v8zocg