The Future is Looking Up for Cavemen Who Dream of Flying

By R. Gabriel Villalobos

On a cool sunny day, Jim Ballard watches another student pilot bring a Cessna 172 back smoothly onto the runway. For Ballard, the sight is both routine and deeply satisfying—the culmination of a 36-year career in flight instruction and a personal journey that began by watching crop dusters on his grandfather's farm.

"I grew up on a ranch south of White City," Ballard said. "As a small child, four or five years old, I used to watch them come in and spray the cotton. That's where I first became interested."

That childhood fascination simmered until 1986, when he was finally able to pursue his own pilot's license in Carlsbad. Once he did that, he methodically added ratings—commercial, instrument, multi-engine—and then earned his flight instructor certificate in El Paso in 1989. Alongside teaching, he served as the pilot for the Eddy County Sheriff's Department for 21 years, performing search and rescue, patrol, and drug interdiction.

Fifteen years ago, he took all of that experience and started his own flight school. Today, it operates two aircraft and employs two full-time instructors. Ballard, who serves as owner and chief flight instructor, said he is witnessing a surge in interest larger than any he's seen in over three decades.

"In the past 10 years, it's grown enormously," Ballard said. He went quiet for a moment and looked up at the thumping roar of a helicopter passing overhead. "There's a lot of demand. People want to learn how to fly." He attributes part of the boom to oilfield workers seeking to fly, but notes many students are driven by more personal motives.

"They come with their own childhood dream," he said. "Or it's often that their grandfather or their dad was a pilot, and they kind of want to follow in their footsteps." He estimates 60-65% of students who start learning with him ultimately earn their license. Some pursue it for transportation or just for the thrill of flying.

The path from first lesson to private pilot certificate typically takes three to eight months and costs between $12,000 and $14,000, Ballard said. The variable timeline often hinges on balancing training with work schedules. "We prefer at least two times per week," he noted, "but sometimes it's just once a week."

The school's current roster includes about 20 active students, some nearing their check-ride, the final FAA-administered flight test, and others are just beginning. Ballard's philosophy prioritizes thorough, safety-focused training over speed.

"We don't put students on a fast pace to get their license," he said. "Our objective is to train good, safe pilots." He credits mentors from his own training, some of whom went on to instruct for major airlines, for instilling this ethos. That training proved critical in real-world situations; Ballard has successfully handled two in-flight engine failures during his career.

While much of the daily instruction is handled by his staff, Ballard still checks student progress and relishes their milestones. Just last week, two students passed their final exams. "It gives you a lot of satisfaction," he said.

Many of his former students and instructors have gone on to careers in the airline industry, a point of pride. As for his own future, the 36-year veteran is content but realistic.

"I don't see an end soon, but I'm obviously getting older and may turn the reins over to someone else someday," Ballard said. For now, his plan is simple: "Just keep doing what we're doing."

His advice for anyone contemplating the challenge is unequivocal. "Pursue it," he urged. "If it's a dream of yours or a bucket list item, pursue it if you can…it's a unique privilege."

And for those who do, he offers a favorite maxim: "Enjoy the journey. It's a lot of learning. So, I impress upon students to just enjoy the journey…so they have a great accomplishment that they can be proud of."

Anyone interested can contact Cavern City Flight School by email at caverncityflightschool@gmail.com.

Instructor Solomon Acheampong (left) and student Cash Edgington (right) pose for a photo in front of the Cessna 172 used to train pilots.

Chief instructor Jim Ballard (right) takes his great-grandson, Kooper Quarles (left), for the ride of his life over Carlsbad.