ATY Aviation, Inc.
A small, local flight school that focuses on you and your learning experience. With instructors and mechanics with a vast range of experience, we want to make you the best pilot we can. Come fly with us.
@atyaviation
Bio
ATY Aviation was started by John and Brenda Yost on June 5th, 2018. Their sons Brandon and Rawson started working with them immediately as well. Rawson became a flight instructor and Brandon was already an A&P mechanic. Prior to starting the business, John, Brandon, and Rawson were all aerial applicators (crop dusters) out of Hayes near Pierre, SD working for John’s brother Randy Yost. They would fly a Beechcraft Bonanza back and forth from Raymond, SD to Hayes, SD.
John & Brenda owned a FBO in Waverly, IA for years prior to starting ATY Aviation, doing maintenance, flight training, and FBO services. John and Brenda have three children, Jenna, Brandon, and Rawson. Jenna is married to Justin Odegaard and they and their three children live in Lake Preston. Brandon and Laura and their three children live in Watertown. Rawson and Jill and their daughter live in Watertown as well.
As the flight school has grown, John & Brenda have hired two additional flight instructors and one additional mechanic to help support the business. Brandon Longstreet is a flight instructor hired in 2022, Riley Schmeling is a A&P that they hired in 2023, and Matthew Amdahl is a flight instructor hired in 2024.
Courses
- Private Pilot
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot
- Certified Flight Instructor
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
- Multi-Engine Instructor
- High Performance Endorsement
- Complex Endorsement
- Tailwheel Endorsement
- Flight Reviews
- Instrument Proficiency Checks
Cessna 172N Skyhawk
N6391J
160 HP Lycoming
50 gallons fuel usable
$150/hr wet (includes fuel)
Average Cruise Speed-130 mph
Cessna 172N Skyhawk
N5433E
160 HP Lycoming
40 gallons fuel usable
$150/hr wet
Average Cruise Speed-130 mph
Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140/160
N644FL
160 HP Lycoming
50 gallons fuel usable
$150/hr wet
Average Cruise Speed-125 mph
Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III
N333PG
200 HP Lycoming
72 gallons fuel usable
$200/hr wet
Complex aircraft
Instruction only (no solo rental)
Average Cruise Speed-155 mph
Piper PA-44-180 Seminole
N38FJ
Two 180 HP Lycomings
108 gallons fuel usable
$360/hr wet
Multi-Engine aircraft
Complex aircraft
Instruction only (no solo rental)
Average Cruise Speed-178 mph
Cessna 152 Tailwheel
N24947
125 HP Sparrowhawk Lycoming
24.5 gallons fuel usable
$125/hr wet
Tailwheel
Side by Side Seating
Average Cruise Speed-100 mph
Instruction only (no solo rental)
Redbird MCX Simulator
Full Motion AATD
Full motion, 3 axis, wrap around screens beyond 180 degree of view
Single and multi-engine (Skyhawk, Arrow, Seminole)
Approved for use in meeting some private, instrument, and commercial requirements
Dual only
$80/hr for simulator $70/hr for instructor
Meet Our Team
John & Brenda Yost
John and Brenda started ATY Aviation on June 5th, 2018. John was the Director of Maintenance for the FBO for years before buying the FBO. He is the IA at ATY Aviation. John crop sprayed for 19 years and has been an aviation mechanic for over 39 years. Brenda is the office manager and basically runs the show. She got an associate’s degree in accounting in 1988. She enjoys thrifting and spending time with all of the grandkids.
Rawson Yost
Rawson is our Chief Flight Instructor and has been with the company since its beginning. He graduated from SDSU with a business degree and has earned all of his instructor certificates. He also crop sprayed for about 5 years. He now spends most of his time managing the flight school and helping with student outreach. Rawson enjoys working on projects at his house and flying the family bonanza.
Brandon & Laura Yost
Brandon is a A&P mechanic for ATY Aviation and also is a very successful pilot who crop sprayed for 12 years. He earned is A&P at LATC in Watertown, SD. Laura is a valued member of the organization who helps with accounting and invoicing. She earned her Private Pilot in September 2023. Brandon enjoys hanging out with the family whether at work or at home. Laura enjoys taking care of her kids and reading.
Brandon Longstreet
Brandon is a CFI at ATY Aviation and has been with us since May of 2022. He is originally from the Clear Lake/Pipestone area. He completed the lion’s share of his training at American Flyers in Arizona. He completed his instructor training at ATY Aviation. He enjoys going to the gym and golfing. He is engaged to Sage Sams.
Riley Schmeling
Riley is an A&P mechanic who started with ATY Aviation in March 2023. He graduated from the A&P program at LATC in Watertown. He is originally from Brandon, SD. He enjoys fishing and hunting.
Matthew Amdahl
Matthew joined our team as a CFI in February of 2024. He is originally from Summit, SD. His family farms there, which is just north of Watertown about 30 miles. He enjoys the outdoors and staying active outside. He enjoys helping on the family farm when they need it.
FBO Services
Fuel - Jet A w/Prist
100LL Avgas
Heated Hangar
Rental Cars through Quest Car Rental
Deice (Type 1)/Anti-ice (Type 4) Conference Room
Lavatory Service
Baggage Handling
Catering
Maintenance
GPU
Free Coffee
Snack Bar
Aircraft Towing
Pilot lounges
Conference Room
Flight Planning Room
Free Ice Cream
Free Ice
Free Hot Water