A Lifelong Love of Flight

John DeGroot’s fascination with aviation began when he was a young child. What started as a love of looking up at airplanes became a life spent at the controls and, eventually, a passion for helping others learn to fly.

Today, John brings 30 years of flying experience and more than 2,500 flight hours to every lesson. As a CFII-rated flight instructor, he enjoys sharing both the skill and the sense of possibility that first drew him to aviation.

John’s view from the cockpit has also inspired another pursuit: aerial photography. He specializes in capturing striking images of New York City, Hartford, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City, revealing familiar places from an entirely different perspective.

And when he isn’t teaching? There’s a good chance he’s flying his own Cessna 210.

Ready to see where flying could take you? Learn to fly with John.

In this video, John DeGroot takes popular YouTuber Tom Scott on an unforgettable flight through the Hudson River Special Flight Rules Area, a remarkable corridor of airspace that allows pilots to fly alongside Manhattan’s iconic skyline without requiring an air traffic control clearance. Watch as John shares his aviation expertise while showcasing one of the most extraordinary flying experiences in New York City.