Gregory S. Hayes has always been an over-achiever and in his younger years could have never imagined a career in aviation, seeing airplanes as little more than going from point A to point B, but as time went on aviation would become an integral part of his life. Greg’s story begins with skiing. He started skiing at the age of nine and won his first race at Mount Pleasant in Edinboro. This fueled his dream of competing in the Olympics. Through hard work, he made the US Ski Team and competed as a skier worldwide, eventually achieving a major goal in his life by being selected to compete in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

 

As both of his parents were educators, they insisted that he earn a college degree, which he did by studying at University of Georgia during his off-seasons where Greg graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Bio-Chemistry and a minor in Physics. After retiring from ski competition, Greg turned to speed skiing, setting a then world record in 1993. He then coached ski racing, channeling his determination and drive to help hundreds of racers, including Peekaboo Street, Bode Miller, Lindsay Vonn, and Mikaela Shiffrin, achieve greatness.

 

While coaching during winters, Greg sought summer employment. Employers didn’t understand extended absences, so he bought CLC Landscaping in Edinboro from a retiring owner. Despite the small business, Greg applied his zeal to landscaping, growing it to over 15 crews and running it successfully for nearly 30 years.

 

In late summer 2005, Greg became a partner in North Coast Flight School Inc., running the landscaping business while the other partners managed the flight school. Neglecting the flight school due to other commitments, it nearly went bankrupt by spring 2007. To save it, the partners gave Greg their shares of the business.

 

Undeterred, Greg assumed full ownership of North Coast Flight School Inc. in May 2007 with three planes, two instructors, eight students, and substantial debt. He ran both businesses for a year, applying flight school receipts to the debt and paying off vendors within a year. He closed CLC Landscaping to focus solely on the flight school in 2008. Greg began marketing the school through news outlets, social media and beginning new enrollments - strategies that today he credits his success to.

 

In 2008, Greg noticed the absence of kid’s programs in aviation in the US and created Aero Camp - Erie with 12 participants. The kids explored the airport, flew planes, and received an education about aviation. This innovative approach became a model for many kids and earned NCFS the Excellence in Education Award from the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania four times. In 2010, Aero Camp expanded nationally. Today, many flight schools offer Aero Camps, but it all started at North Coast Flight School.

 

After 16 years, Aero Academy has impacted countless children in northwest Pennsylvania. Over 30% of the first-year participants pursued aviation, with two returning as flight instructors and over 20 becoming airline pilots, including six captains. The original camp has grown into a national program, Aero Camp for Kids, adopted by over 50 flight schools across North America. Now, Aero Academy offers six separate camps for children aged 10 to 18.

 

Under Greg’s leadership, NCFS earned FAA certification to teach as a Part 141 flight training facility, becoming the first in Erie. NCFS partnered with Edinboro University to offer an Associate Degree in Aviation Science, with NCFS providing flight training. The first class of Commercial Pilots graduated in May 2018 and joined NCFS’s flight instructor roster.

 

Republic Airlines is our affiliate, providing opportunities for NCFS graduates to start their careers with an established regional carrier. Representatives from Republic, including an Aero Camp graduate, meet with students to discuss career prospects.

 

In 2009, Greg formed the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) with eight other flight school owners. He served as Chairman of the Board in 2014 and 2015 and later joined the boards of Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field, and the Pennsylvania Aviation Council, bringing his aviation expertise to these institutions. In 2022, Greg led NCFS to its new and current home airport at Port Meadville Airport where the school currently continues its pursuit of leading pilots through education and is recognized throughout the northwest Pennsylvania region and around the country.