ABOUT US
CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING CFI'S
Bill Jones - Chief Flight Instructor
Call Sign: Bill
Why I'm a Pilot: I grew up around aircraft; my grandfather and father were both pilots. I was hooked at a very early age! With my father and grandfather being pilots, I spent very little time in daycare as a child. Instead, my summers were spent at the airport hanging out at the hangar, flightline, pilot's lounge, and flight planning rooms. My father and grandfather were both A&Ps, so I witnessed many airframe related repairs and lots of engine work. I spent my first two years out of college as a software engineer before I began flying. Since then, I have amassed time in single engine, multi-engine, and turbo. Next on my list is tailwheel and seaplane! I am passionate about flight instruction and sharing the magic of flight with others.
Favorite Plane: DA-40
Occupation: CFI, CFII, MEI
Favorite Aviation Experience: Flying with my family
Christian Keyston - Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
Call Sign: Kilo
Why I’m a pilot: I've always loved airplanes and wanted to fly them! I started my journey at Meadow Lake Airport where I earned my Private Pilot certificate. From there, I went on to Centennial Airport and earned my Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, and CFI certificates. I have been blessed to have experience in a range of environments, from the coast of California, to weaving in the clouds over the Rockies.
Favorite Plane: B-25 Mitchell
Occupation: CFI, CFII, MEI
Favorite Aviation Experience: Weaving through the clouds over the Rockies in a Saratoga.
Jacob Glenn
Call Sign: Jake
Why I’m a pilot: I don’t remember a time when I wanted to do anything else! I started flying in high school and went on to earn a degree in Aviation in 2017. I then commissioned into the Army and went through initial entry rotary wing training and the UH60M Course at Fort Rucker, AL. I love everything about general aviation, from airport management to the sense of community, and of course, flying.
I also offer high performance, complex and mountain training in an S35 Bonanza! Please contact me directly to schedule a training flight.
Favorite Airplane: DC-3
Occupation: Pilot
Most Exciting Aviation Experience: Island Hopping in Hawaii
Brian Monroe
Call Sign: Money
Why I’m a pilot: For the love of flight of course! Aviation is also a very rewarding career in the fact that you can continually learn and grow regardless of how long you’re in the industry.
Favorite Aircraft: Bell 407
Occupation: Med Evac helicopter pilot, helicopter flight instructor
Most Memorable Aviation Experience:
Every flight is unique. Landing above 14,000’ or Landing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon when the sun hits the canyon walls just right are two of my favorite experiences. Seeing a student grasp a concept for the first time is something I never tire of either.
Let’s go FLY!
Jessica Meiris
Call Sign: Anything but Jessie!
Why I’m a pilot: Like most things in my life, the choice to become a pilot was very practical! After 16 years as a mountain guide and rock climber I needed a new career that was physically easier, kept me in the mountains, and was still very mentally engaging! Helicopter pilot fit the bill perfectly since helicopters are challenging to fly and are capable of accomplishing many tasks, especially in the mountains, that planes cannot. My ultimate goal is to combine flying skills with mountain and rock-climbing knowledge to rescue injured people in high angle terrain using a technique called short haul. I love how aviation keeps you a lifelong student, there's always opportunity to contribute to what inspires you, and sharing aviation with others never gets old!
Favorite Aircraft: AS350 "AStar" Helicopter
Occupation: Commercial Helicopter Pilot, CFII, Public Speaker
Most Memorable Aviation Experience:
Flying up close and personal to the mountains in a helicopter is an unbelievable (and humbling) experience. Also, the pride I feel when others excel (for example in a flight lesson, solo, or check ride), or when I see people get excited about helicopters and overcome their biases or fears about them, which are typically unfounded!
Brandon Meyer
Call Sign: B
Why I'm a Pilot: I’ve always had a passion for aviation; I was one of those kids that always had to look up when I heard anything flying overhead!(still am) I joined the Army as a UH-60 Blackhawk mechanic and after a few years of turning wrenches, I decided that I wanted to be the one on the controls. All of my flight training has been in Colorado!
Favorite Plane: Maule M5
Occupation: CFI, UH-60 Repairer USAR
Most Exciting Aviation Experience:
Flying near glaciers and doing touch and goes on gravel bars
in Alaska!
Victoria Lawrence
Call Sign: Tailor
Why I'm a Pilot: I realized at 19 years old this is what I want to do!
Favorite Aircraft: The cute ones!!
Occupation: CFI,CFII & MEI
Favorite Aviation Experience:
Watching others discover the joy of flying
Nick Hamzezadeh
Why I'm a Pilot:
My earliest memory as a kid is watching beautiful Tupolev 154's depart out of a rainy Moscow, and since first experiencing flight it's been my life goal and motivation. I have passions for aviation both on the flying and engineering side, teaching, and helping others attain their dreams.
Favorite Plane:
Beechcraft's King Air
Occupation:
CFI and Aerospace Engineering Student
Favorite Aviation Experience:
Taking the club's trusty N831TS down to the coast and back over 1,500 miles for a weekend.
Isabella Whitmore
Why I'm a Pilot: Aviation found me and I'm so glad it did! After my first solo I knew the skies were where I wanted to be. I seek to find adventure in all things and flying helicopters has opened my world to limitless possibilities. I am passionate about sharing the freedom of the skies with others and helping them become successful in their aviation endeavors.
Favorite Aircraft: Kaman KMAX
Occupation: CFI,CFII
Favorite Aviation Experience: Landing in a waterfall in one of my favorite places in Southern Utah. Unmatched beauty.
Dustin Ringdahl
Call Sign: Specs
Why I'm a Pilot: I have wanted to be a pilot since as long as I can remember. I have always been a fan of big jets and have been working towards the goal of flying heavy metal for around 10 years. I currently work as a First Officer for SkyWest Airlines flying CRJ aircraft and flight instruct as much as I can in my free time because I love teaching and keeping my stick and rudder skills sharp!
Favorite Plane: Cessna 206 Amphibian
Occupation: Airline Pilot and CFI
Most Exciting Aviation Experience:
Cloud hopping and mountain flying no matter what I’m in!
Mike Garnett
Why I'm a Pilot: My passion for aviation was overshadowed by my prior career commitments. However, fueled by a desire for change, I made the bold decision to leave my former profession behind and fully immerse myself in the world of aviation. Having found immense joy in training others in my previous job, transitioning to a role as an aviation instructor felt like a natural and fulfilling choice.
Occupation: CFI
Favorite Aviation Experience:
Flying into new airports around the country.
Chris Hastings
Callsign: OI
Why I'm a pilot: When I was a little kid I had my first plane ride. I got to go to the cockpit during the flight and I was instantly hooked. Ever since then I have loved every aspect of aviation that I've been able to touch; from airport operations to air traffic control and obviously flying. I ended up as an air traffic controller for my day job but continued to fly and worked towards being a flight instructor so I could share the joy of aviation with others.
Favorite Plane:
Sling TSI
Occupation:
Air Traffic Controller and CFI
Favorite Aviation Experience: Being able to see several sides of aviation and how they all link together.
Jack Embery
Why I'm a pilot: Like almost every pilot out there, my passion for aviation began at a young age. After my first discovery flight at the age of eight, I was hooked. My fellow aviators know, once you experience that feeling, there's no turning back! I look forward to sharing the world of aviation with enthusiasts seeking to obtain their pilot certification.
Favorite Aircraft: Anything that can fly!
Occupation: CFI
Favorite Aviation Experience: Sharing the joys of aviation with friends and family, and having them join me in the sky on flights!
Stephen Vaughn
Why I'm a pilot: I found my love for flying at a young age. My dad was a pilot in the Air Force, and some of my earliest memories are from flying the C-17 simulator when I was between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. I took my first real flight in a glider on the north shore of Hawaii, and since then I knew I wanted to fly. I got my private certificate after graduating high school and before leaving for college. I attended Kansas State University in Salina, Kansas where I continued my flight training and learned to be a flight instructor. I love being given the opportunity to introduce people to the world of aviation and prove that really anyone can be a pilot.
Favorite Aircraft: C-17 Globemaster III
Occupation: CFI
Favorite aviation experience: Flying gliders on the north shore of Hawaii
Justin Matejcek
Why I'm a Pilot: While I was in the military I worked extensively with helicopters, albeit I was usually jumping out of them or riding in the back while flying NAP of the earth to our objective. After I left the military I became a skydiver and found one of the things that made me smile was being back in helicopters. I didn't think I would be able to fly due to an injury sustained overseas so I began studying biomedical engineering. While I enjoyed that field, my head was always in the clouds so I went through the extensive process to get my medical. After getting my medical approved, I immediately began my flight training. I love the dynamics and complexity of flying helicopters along with the operations they are used for.
Favorite Aircraft: AStar and MD500
Occupation: CFI, CFII, Founder and President of Veterans Adventure Group
Most Memorable Aviation Experience: While there are numerous amazing experiences to choose from, the two experiences that immediately come to mind are going through a mountain flying course with a retired Coast Guard pilot. We landed in some very challenging ridgelines out in the Oregon mountains. The other experience that immediately comes to mind was doing off airports under NVGs. Seeing the dust kick up and the static electricity on the rotor blades took my back to my days in the military.
Trust The Experts!
Our instructors are experienced pilots with a passion for teaching. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every lesson, and are committed to helping you reach your full potential as a pilot.
