Valters Aviation, Lake Elmo

Gatis and Peggy Valters spent their entire lives working with planes. When the opportunity came to transform their aircraft repair business into a fixed-base operation and flight school, they established Valters Aviation to share their passion of flying with others. The couple employs four flight instructors, who offer both ground-based and in-the-air instruction for aspiring pilots or curious co-pilots. Students are coached all the way through the acquisition of a private, commercial, or certified flight instructor license, honing their flying skills in Cessna and Piper aircrafts.

Gatis still performs full service aircraft maintenance, along with providing appropriate gear from the pilot shop. The mulit-faceted facility also helps clients choose safe flying routes in the weather planning room, and swaps tales of Pegasus sightings in the pilot lounge.