NORTH ADAMS — Driving through the vastness and beauty of the Berkshires' scenery is a great experience, especially if you're 5,000 feet up.
"Flying is the most fun a person can have with their pants on — or off," said Liam Shirley, owner of Shamrock Aviation, last week at Harriman-West Airport. The company has been offering scenic flights, for $35 per person, and recently began offering flight training, so aspiring pilots have a chance to experience this kind of "fun" for themselves.
The flight company's general manager, Matthew Champney, 24, has been able to give interested parties the opportunity to learn how to fly since last month. Champney has been a licensed pilot since 2003 and became a licensed flight instructor on July 10.
He said he is more than willing to share his five years of experience with anyone who has the desire to take to the air.
The flight school has taken on four students but, according to Champney, "We can accommodate 10 to 12 students at a time based on scheduling and, if things go well, we will hire more staff members so we can take on more students."
Matthew Champney shows off the controls of Shamrock Aviation's Cessna flight trainer.
"What's nice about flight training is that you can go at your own pace” said Champney. “Weather permitting a student could get [the training] done in a month, but the average person takes three to four months.
"Once a student reaches the required 40 hours of flight experience, we can have a test instructor come over so they can try for their pilot's license."
But the cost of getting your wings doesn't come cheap, especially taking into account rising fuel prices: dual-instructor flight lessons at Shamrock Aviation are $115 an hour.
"Fuel and insurance are the two biggest costs an aviation company has to deal with," said Champney. "Plane fuel is $53.70 per gallon right now so we try to keep [our prices] fair for our students by offering a fixed surcharge per flight."
Champney and Shirley are training students in a 1972 Cessna 150, a two-seater prop aircraft which, according Champney, "is one of the most popular training airplanes ever."
Champney obtained both his pilot's and instructor's licenses from Bridgewater State College. For more information on flight lessons for scenic flights, call 413-663-3330.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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Matthew Champney shows off the controls of Shamrock Aviation's Cessna flight trainer.
