JOHN & MARTHA KING
5/19/1944 – Present
10/24/1945 – Present
Barry Manilow may write “the songs that make the whole world sing,” but John and Martha
King “make the courses that teach the whole world to fly.” It turns out that’s not really an
exaggeration. Their King Schools is arguably responsible for teaching more than half of each
year’s crop of new private and instrument pilots in the United States.
It’s lucky for those of us in the aviation community, that John and Martha King’s first effort
at a business after graduating from Indiana University was unsuccessful and they turned their
efforts to flight training. What was to become King Schools began modestly as the pair flew
around the mid-west conducting week-end ground school classes. Eventually, John and Martha
began to put their courses on video and today ship some half million videos a year that they
produce in-house. Their video courses and exam prep programs have changed the way pilots
learn what they need, not only to pass the FAA computer knowledge exams, but to begin-and
continue-their aviation careers safely and responsibly.
The pair have been outspoken about the risks that are involved in aviation. While others were
claiming that flying was safer than driving, the Kings were open in admitting that flying incurs
risks. In order to help pilots reduce the risks, they developed programs to help pilots recognize
the risks and tools that pilots can use to determine or assess the risks involved with any particular
flight. The value of their risk assessment programs have been recognized by insurance
companies that offer reductions in premiums for pilots who complete the courses.
Martha King has said that they think of their company as an education company, not a video
company, and they are uniquely qualified to teach things aviation since the pair holds every
category and class of FAA pilot and instructor certificates. Martha is the first woman to hold all
the ratings. They fly their personal business jet, a Falcon 10, as well as staying current in
helicopter, the Fuji blimp, weight-shift trikes and powered parachutes.
The two have received countless honors for their educational efforts. Both John and Martha
serve on the board of directors of the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation. In
1996, they were named “Aviation Educators of the Year” by Professional Pilot magazine.
In 2001, Martha was appointed by President Clinton to the First Flight Centennial Federal
Advisory Board to help promote the 100th anniversary of powered flight.
In 2002, they were inducted into the International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, Kansas,
Amelia Earhart’s hometown.
In December 2003, Martha was recognized by the First Flight Centennial Commission as one
of the 100 Distinguished Aviation Heroes in the first century of flight.
In 2004, John received the “Excellence in Pilot Training” award from the National Air
Transportation Association. The award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding
contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership and excellence in the field of pilot training.
And in 2005, Martha King was awarded the 2005 Cliff Henderson Award for Achievement
from the National Aeronautic Association. The award is given to “a living individual or group
whose vision, leadership, or skill has made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion
and advancement of aviation or space activity.”
John and Martha King remain passionately involved in aviation and have generously given
back to the community. They are ideal candidates to be honored with membership in the
National Aviation Hall of Fame.
1950 to Present
2007