Quarter 2 Highlights: A Sit Down with Brenton Scott-Martin, a PEA Alumnus
Brenton Scott-Martin’s journey from being just a kid on a farm in Zimbabwe to becoming a Flight Instructor at Emirates’ Flight Training Academy is an unimaginable one. Everyone who walks through the doors of Phoenix East Aviation shares one thing in common; a passion to become a pilot. Later in South Africa, a world seemingly disconnected from the skies, few could have imagined the heights Scott-Martin would eventually soar. Yet, his determination and spark of interest in the aviation industry propelled him thousands of miles away from home to Phoenix East Aviation, in Florida. Fasten your seatbelts as I tell his story.
Growing up in South Africa, aviation was not a world he was immersed in nor a career path that seemed realistic, “I was surrounded very little by aviation and the prospects of it being a potential career,” said Scott-Martin. However, his mother’s profession as an industrial psychologist exposed him to a variety of psychometric evaluations, “the results showed a comprehensive aptitude for a career as a pilot,” said Scott-Martin. With his assertive and analytical approach to work, his personality characteristics aligned well with one of a pilot. Brenton began pursuing his degree in Business Management from the University of Cape Town when he opted to take a discovery flight at a local flight school. It was this that sparked his aviation journey, “I didn’t manage to finish all of my degree before attending flight school in South Africa,” said Scott-Martin. The ignited spark led him to obtain his International Civil Aviation Organization Private Pilot License (ICAO PPL) in South Africa. Upon completion, he decided to seek professional flight training in the United States; this is what led him to find Phoenix East Aviation.
Brenton Scott-Martin’s pilot dreams took flight at PEA in September 2018. While he was excited to further excel in the aviation industry, he could not help but feel a bit nervous, “the daunting aspect of transitioning from a background of little aviation experience and knowledge, to pursuing a professional career as a pilot abroad,” said Scott-Martin. Leaving behind familiar surroundings, Scott-Martin was venturing into uncharted skies, trading in the comfort that he had known for potential challenges, yet many rewards awaited him. Phoenix East Aviation proved to be the perfect landing spot for him, a path he’s thankful he took. In 2020, Scott-Martin ultimately decided to forgo his online Business Management degree from the University of London, to focus solely on his passion of becoming a pilot. While recalling his most memorable moments, “I particularly enjoyed cross-country flying”, said Scott-Martin; for Brenton, the most rewarding aspect of his flying journey at PEA was the realization that flying isn’t just a craft, but a lifelong pursuit of mastery. With each flight comes new challenges to overcome, new horizons to explore, endless opportunities to seize, and great friendships formed along the way. He wants future and potential students to remember that staying present is the most important, “as pilots, it’s very easy to continuously be in pursuit of flying something ‘bigger and better’ that we often miss the beauty of the journey”, said Scott-Martin. Although flight training may be a challenge at times, it has great rewards, “maintaining a strong work ethic, while also being open-minded to different aviation learning experiences, and surrounding yourself with good people,” he continued. It is imperative to remain safe both in the cockpit of an aircraft and throughout the school. Cultivating a safe environment from the beginning is key to ensuring the well-being of all other student pilots and people.
To say that Brenton Scott-Martin had many achievements while at PEA would be an understatement. He obtained many licenses and certifications: holding an ICAO Private Pilot License (ICAO PPL), and FAA Commercial Pilot License (CPL) for both single and multi-engine aircraft, including Tailwheel certification. He also earned both his instructor ratings (CFI/CFII) and multi-engine instructor ratings (MEI). His license, ratings, and certifications extend to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), where he holds both a single-engine commercial license and a CFI rating. Additionally, Scott-Martin is a certified Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) Instructor. His accomplishments do not stop there. During his time at PEA, he was both a single and multi-engine instructor, Stage Checker, End of Course (EOC) Examiner, and Team Manager.
While at PEA, Scott-Martin obtained the title of a Gold Seal Flight Instructor. This is awarded to instructors who have demonstrated a higher standard of instruction or performance, an 80% pass rate with their student’s End of Course/FAA Check Ride submission, and with a minimum of 10 submissions, “a lot of hard work and dedication to my craft has gone into achieving this and I am extremely proud of this achievement,” said Scott-Martin. He joins the Gold Seal ranks as one of the top instructors at PEA to receive this honorable certificate. A Gold Seal Instructor is a recognized FAA aviation educator who has achieved a high level of instructional performance with the aviation and flight training community.
The achievements that were earned by Scott-Martin during his time at PEA are ones he will cherish for the longevity of his career. After leaving Phoenix East Aviation in June 2023, he accepted a position with Emirates Flight Training Academy. For the next decade, he will be dedicating his efforts to working as a UPRT Instructor at their flight training academy. With a commitment to teaching the “aviators of tomorrow”, he considers it a privilege to train the future Captains of Emirates Airlines.
Scott-Martin also envisions his future being intertwined with the world of US General Aviation, where he hopes to assist aspiring aviators in broadening their horizons and seeking flight training opportunities that could pave the way for promising careers within the aviation industry. In addition to this, “the idea of becoming a certified Federal Aviation Administration Designated Pilot Examiner (FAA DPE) one day is something I am working towards whether it be part-time or full-time”, said Scott-Martin. This ambitious future goal only highlights his dedication to upholding the highest standards of flight training and ensuring that the next generation of pilots receive the best possible training. Phoenix East Aviation was an integral part of Brenton Scott-Martin’s aviation career, and he plans to continue helping future pilots achieve their flying dreams by establishing his own flight school, “my future is definitely going to be dedicated towards educational excellence”, said Scott-Martin.
Having the opportunity to sit down and chat with alumni offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience of their time at Phoenix East Aviation, and also what they have been up to since leaving. Brenton Scott-Martin’s aviation journey is far from over, and we are incredibly proud of him!
Interested in learning more about PEA? Contact us at info2@pea.com to get in touch with their Admissions Officers.
