![Paragon Flight Training, celebrating its 20th anniversary, hast taken delivery of two more Piper P100i airplanes. [Credit: Paragon Flight Traning]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Paragon-20th-2-scaled.jpg)
One of the axioms of operating a flight school is that, for best results, you need to have a fleet with the most recent technology and provide professional customer service that keeps the clients engaged.
That can be a fine line to walk when you’ve been in business for decades. The folks at Paragon Flight Training are heading into their 20th year of business and continuing their tradition of modern fleet acquisition by taking delivery of two Piper P100i airplanes on December 16.
According to school officials, the new aircraft represent the 37th and 38th Piper P100i aircraft out of 50 planned for delivery through 2027.
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Paragon Flight Training is based at Page Field (KFMY) in Fort Myers, Florida, with additional operations in Punta Gorda (KPGD), Florida, and LaGrange-Callaway Airport (KLGC) in Georgia.
“Ten years ago, our school was growing quickly, but we realized future success would hinge on owning—not leasing—our aircraft. so, while we owned a few planes then, we shifted our mindset and business strategy toward fleet modernization and expansion,” said Paragon Flight Training president Chris Schoensee. “Now, with a fleet of 38 aircraft—and counting—[composed] exclusively of Piper training aircraft, plus the leading ALSIM training simulators to complement them, we’re heading into our 20th year with strength.”
Paragon Flight Training was founded in 2006 by Kevin Schoensee, Chris’ father, who, after experiencing poor customer service while getting his recreational pilot certificate, decided there must be a better way to run a flight school, so he started one of his own.
At the time, the Garmin G1000 was entering the scene, and the cockpits of trainer aircraft were going from mechanical, round-dial instruments to digital flat-screen glass cockpits. The elder Schoensee knew an opportunity when he saw one and, despite having no experience operating a flight school, purchased three G1000 Pipers and launched Paragon Flight Training.
In addition to state-of-the-art technology, Kevin Schoensee focused on creating a better business model that focused on customer satisfaction and retention by creating practices geared toward providing more professional management and improving operational efficiency and customer service.
Chris Schoensee and his wife, Sarah, joined the business in 2009, with Sarah coming aboard as administrative director, and Jeff Wolf, a Florida native, joined the team as chief flight instructor.
The Schoensees were new to flight training and worked in entry-level capacities to learn the business. They were successful, and in 2010 Kevin Schoensee offered to sell them the school. Wolf joined in the acquisition as the third owner.
Paragon Flight Training provides flight instruction for hobbyist pilots and those seeking aviation careers at the airlines and civilian commercial operations. It also provides instruction for military pilots for domestic and foreign governments.
The school is proud to point out that it has grown by 20 percent each year since its founding.
“We’ve been moving at warp speed for years, yet we follow a very disciplined approach,” Chris Schoensee said. “To further enhance our position in the marketplace as the go-to flight school for optimal training and student experience, Paragon Flight Training is going to spend some time at cruising altitude, diving in deeply to improve upon our strengths to make the school the best it’s ever been.”
