50 year Expert CFII/MEI specializing in improving certificated pilots abilities and confidence with challenging weather, real IFR, large airports, and complex airspace.

I have had the privilege of working and flying with Andrew for over six years, spanning some of the most important stages of my aviation development—from earning my Commercial certificate through completing my CFI. Throughout that time, our flying together extended beyond structured training into ongoing proficiency work, where I would regularly schedule lessons designed to push just beyond my current skill and risk thresholds.
Andrew has a strong foundation in general aviation and an exceptional ability to adapt his instruction to a wide range of personalities, experience levels, and learning styles. Whether working with commercial pilots, complex aircraft transitions, IFR training, or CFI candidates, he meets you where you are and builds your skills methodically and effectively.
Andrew’s instruction covers a broad spectrum of advanced and specialty areas, including complex endorsements and glass cockpit training. He brings extensive experience across avionics platforms such as Garmin G1000, G500, GNS 430W/530W, Aspen Pro 1000 with Synthetic Vision, Collins Pro Line 21, and ForeFlight. Just as importantly, he integrates real-world flying scenarios into training—everything from IFR to minimums and crosswind operations to unusual attitudes and practical “what-if” situations that every instructor eventually encounters.
What truly sets Andrew apart are his personal qualities. He is infinitely patient, consistently clear and detailed in his explanations, and maintains a high level of professionalism at all times. He takes the time to fully understand your current knowledge and skill level, then builds on that foundation in a way that is both challenging and supportive.
Beyond being an exceptional instructor, Andrew became a mentor to me as I advanced in both ratings and experience. One of the most valuable aspects of our time working together was his guidance in helping me develop my own risk assessment framework—something that continues to influence my decision-making today.
I highly recommend Andrew to any pilot looking to advance their skills with a knowledgeable, dedicated, and thoughtful instructor.

It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve known and flown with Andy Pierce for a full quarter of a century.
We met not long after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, when we were both contributing our time and piloting skills to a volunteer public service organization. It was there that we realized we shared a passion to help other pilots advance to a more professional level with a laser-focus on safety. Together, we developed a sorely needed professional pilot program for that organization.
I’ve flown many hours with Andy benefitting from his highly competent and precise instruction. On the flip side, I’ve also witnessed Andy when he himself was being evaluated in a twin-engine turbine aircraft. How many of us would invite a friend along for our annual check ride?
I’ve learned firsthand of the depth and breadth of Andy’s professional aeronautical knowledge and his devotion to safety. Once, during a presentation to other pilots, I saw Andy with moist eyes as he described one of his FAA investigations of the crash of a light twin that took the lives of an entire family because the pilot - their husband and father - chose expediency over making a stop for fuel.
As a former professional pilot myself, there is no one else I would choose to guide me in becoming a safer and more competent aviator. Not only would I, and did I, trust him with my life, but I would unhesitatingly trust him with the lives of my family.

James J. Knights
ATP; CFII
Special Agent, FBI (Retired)