Aaron Dabney

Aaron Dabney joined the Baylor Institute for Aviation Sciences as a lecturer in 2025 after serving in an adjunct role since 2010.  He grew up around what he calls "grassroots aviation," hopping frequent flights with his uncle and his World War II pilot grandfather in the family's 1946 Piper Cub.  Just before transferring to Baylor from Victoria College in Victoria, Texas, he completed his first solo flight from an historic grass airstrip in that same Cub.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Baylor in 2003, and a Master of Science in Education (also at Baylor) in 2009. Aaron has worked as a full-time Flight Instructor since 2009 and has owned and operated Waco Flight Training at Waco Regional Airport since 2013.   

Aaron was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) in 2022. He serves in several high-profile roles within that organization, including as coordinator of the monthly MentorLIVE broadcast.  He is the first and only flight instructor in Texas to earn NAFI's prestigious Master Flight Instructor accreditation six consecutive times, distinguishing himself as a Bronze Master Legacy Flight Instructor.  Aaron is also a lifetime Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) member.

Aaron met Alisa, his wife of 21 years, on a blind date while they were both undergraduates at Baylor. They've made their home in Waco ever since, and are active members of First Methodist Church of Waco.

When he's not flying or teaching, Aaron enjoys reading, writing, and traveling the world with Alisa.

Education

• Baylor University, Waco, TX - Master of Science in Higher Education Student Affairs (2009)
• Baylor University, Waco, TX - Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (2003)

Professional Aviation Experience

• Owner and Chief Flight Instructor, Waco Flight Training (2013-present)
• Chief Flight Instructor, Waco Flying Service (2011-2013)
• Flight Instructor, Waco Flight Training (2009-2011)

Publications & Presentations

• Thriving as an Independent Flight Instructor, National Association of Flight Instructors Mentor Magazine, December, 2010.
• Back to the Future: Fixing Flight Instruction with a Legend Cub, American Legend Aircraft Magazine, April, 2013.
• Teaching Conventional Gear, NAFI Mentor Magazine, March/April 2014.
• Any Landing You Can Walk Away From Is Not Good Enough, Ninety-Nines Tuscon Chapter Newsletter, Winter 2016
• The NAFI Master Flight Instructor Program:  Here's Why, NAFI Mentor Magazine, January/February 2017
• Tangible Benefits:  In Search of New Masters Part 2, NAFI Mentor Magazine, March/April 2017
• If You Build It (Will They Come?), NAFI Professional Development Program Course, March 2019
• New CFI's:  Teaching on Purpose, NAFI MentorLive Broadcast, June 2021
• Your Stick And Rudder Skills Wont Save You: Strategies for Decision Making, NAFI Mentor Magazine, March/April 2023.
• Flight School Owner, Panelist, First Annual NAFI Summit, Lakeland, Florida, October 2023.
• The Fairchild Time Machine, Online, Experimental Aircraft Association, May 2024.
• Your First Student, Air Venture International EAA Fly-In Convention, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2024.
• Your First Student, National Association of Flight Instructors MentorLIVE, October 2024.
• My Pilot Health And Wellness Logbook, Second Annual NAFI Summit, Daytona Beach, Florida, January 2025.

Professional Honors

• Master Flight Instructor Accreditation, National Association of Flight Instructors (2013-2015)
• Master Flight Instructor Accreditation, National Association of Flight Instructors (2015-2017)
• Master Flight Instructor Accreditation, National Association of Flight Instructors (2017-2019)
• Top 100 Most Impactful Faculty, Baylor University (Fall 2018)
• Master Flight Instructor Accreditation, National Association of Flight Instructors (2019-2021)
• Master Flight Instructor Accreditation, National Association of Flight Instructors (2021-2023)
• Master Flight Instructor Accreditation, National Association of Flight Instructors (2023-2025)

Flight Experience

• 5,700 Hours Total Flight Time
• 5,000 Hours Flight Instruction Given
• Aaron has pilot in command and/or teaching experience in nearly 40 aircraft types, ranging from the Piper Cub to the Beechcraft Bonanza.