MENU

Sections

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Editors and Writers
    • Join our Mailing List
    • Letters to Editor Policy
    • Advertising & Underwriting
    • Code of Ethics
    • Privacy
    • Talbot Spy Terms of Use
  • Art and Design
  • Culture and Local Life
  • Public Affairs
    • Ecosystem
    • Education
    • Health
    • Senior Life
  • Community Opinion
  • Sign up for Free Subscription
  • Donate to the Talbot Spy
  • Cambridge Spy

More

  • Support the Spy
  • About Spy Community Media
  • Advertising with the Spy
  • Subscribe
July 20, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Editors and Writers
    • Join our Mailing List
    • Letters to Editor Policy
    • Advertising & Underwriting
    • Code of Ethics
    • Privacy
    • Talbot Spy Terms of Use
  • Art and Design
  • Culture and Local Life
  • Public Affairs
    • Ecosystem
    • Education
    • Health
    • Senior Life
  • Community Opinion
  • Sign up for Free Subscription
  • Donate to the Talbot Spy
  • Cambridge Spy
5 News Notes

The U.S. Naval Academy’s Powered Flight Program Returns to Easton Airport

May 28, 2021 by Spy Desk

Share

L-R: Trident Aircraft President John Galdieri with Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher

Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy will come to Easton Airport this summer to participate in the academy’s Powered Flight Program. The training program, conducted by Trident Aircraft, is one of the most comprehensive curriculums in the country. COVID-19 grounded courses in 2020, but with restrictions lifting and a backlog of students ready to fly, Trident instructors will train one of the largest classes in recent years.

Trident Aircraft President John Galdieri has worked with the U.S. Naval Academy to facilitate the Powered Flight Program since 2014. As a Naval Academy alum, he understands the need for immersive flight training for Midshipmen at the early stages of their military career. The courses conducted at Easton Airport help students understand the nuances and challenges of piloting an aircraft in real world situations.

“Trident is extremely proud to be able to provide flight training to the future defenders of our nation,” Galdieri said.

Trident Aircraft’s Easton flight training operation has instructed over 1,500 Midshipman since the program’s inception. Over 90% of the students that participate are able to conduct a flight as the sole occupant of the aircraft within two weeks of the start of their instruction.

Easton Airport’s proximity to the academy and robust infrastructure provides an ideal location to conduct the summer flights.

“Easton Airport offers the location, facilities, and staff needed to gain the support of USNA in bringing their flight school to the Eastern Shore,” Galdieri said. “Easton Airport is the perfect location for this intensive training due to the friendly and supportive Air Traffic Control Tower staff, the intersecting runways allowing students to have favorable winds, and expansive training airspace.”

This summer’s program will host nearly 200 Naval Academy Midshipman and Officers in Trident Aircraft’s home base at Easton Airport. The Powered Flight Program creates approximately 20 seasonal jobs each year.

Easton Airport is prepared for as many as 1,000 daily operations between June and August. That amount of air traffic would make Easton Airport one of, if not the most, active airports in Maryland during that period.

“It’s an honor to host the Navy’s Powered Flight Program here at Easton Airport,” Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher said. “As a Navy Veteran myself, it makes me proud that we are playing a small role in defending our country and laying the foundation for our future naval aviators”

Trident Aircraft is an aviation company based in Easton, Maryland that was founded in 2006 by USNA graduate John Galdieri. Trident Aircraft employs 60 personnel and operates in excess of 50 aircraft in flight training, charter, and jet management programs. Learn more at www.tridentaircraft.com.

Easton Airport (ESN) is a general aviation airport located two miles north of historic downtown Easton, Maryland in Talbot County. The airport is owned and operated by Talbot County and provides essential access for aviation enthusiasts, corporate pilots, and local businesses. Easton Airport is one of the busiest general aviation facilities in Maryland, linking Talbot County to the rest of the world. For more information, visit www.eastonairport.com or follow the airport on Facebook and Instagram @EastonAirport.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 5 News Notes Tagged With: local news, The Talbot Spy

Talbot County to Open New Grant for Nonprofits on June 4 Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Marks Completion of The Orthopedic Center’s Renovation and Expansion

Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article

We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.

Copyright © 2025

Affiliated News

  • The Chestertown Spy
  • The Talbot Spy

Sections

  • Arts
  • Culture
  • Ecosystem
  • Education
  • Mid-Shore Health
  • Culture and Local Life
  • Shore Recovery
  • Spy Senior Nation

Spy Community Media

  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising & Underwriting

Copyright © 2025 · Spy Community Media Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in