Ms. Teri Lampkins, founder of Takeoffs Inc. and our chief flight instructor, is a Murray, Kentucky native who has been instructing students from around our area for over 25 years. Her aviation story started with her own son wanting to learn how to fly, however, she was apprehensive to let him start the process. She initially told him that he could not fly but after flying with him one time, she herself was hooked on aviation. After the flight was over, she told him that after she finished putting him through lessons, she was going to be getting her own PPL. The process of taking off in the airplane on that flight was the beginning of what became Takeoffs Inc.

 

Ms. Teri’s philosophy on instruction is: “it’s supposed to be fun.” She wants to do whatever it takes to make you comfortable in the aircraft from engine startup to shut down. Her goal is to get students from A to B with all of the knowledge they need to successfully pass their written exams and checkrides while also paving the way for them to be competent pilots after completion of instruction. As a former educator, she is sure to guide you through instruction in a way that will remind you of your favorite school teacher.

 

Her favorite moment in aviation is being able to teach her granddaughter, Madison, to fly. Madison is now a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and is a current USAF pilot, flying C-17s. Another of her favorite moments was being able to teach a former 3rd grade school student of hers how to fly years after having them in the classroom.

 

Her dream aircraft is one that you can find her in the right seat from time to time, a Cessna Conquest II. She also notes that another of her favorites is a Beechcraft 90, which she has also had the pleasure of flying previously.

 

When asked where she would go for her last flight and what she would fly, she said:

“I would be going down to the beach in my 172 to drink some coffee while in the sand.”

engagement.