Aysha gained real-life flight
experience early on, by completing a 6-month internship flying the Cessna Caravan
with Native American Air Ambulance. Upon
graduating with an Associate’s degree in Airway Science and Technology - Flight
Emphasis (from the Univ. of N. Dakota, no less!), Aysha secured a flight instructor position at Sawyer Aviation,
the last existing flight school operating within class B airspace. Aysha
went on to fly as a corporate contract pilot for Southwest Gas Corporation
flying a Citation Jet V, and a King Air 350 for Cashman Equipment in Las
Vegas. She also gained 121 experience flying for Horizon Air as a first
officer in the Dash 8 Q400 and the Dash 8 Q200.
With over 21,500 hours, Bert has a storied history in aviation that includes flying over 200 different aircraft. Some of his job experiences include:
- Airline Transport Pilot
- Jet Commander (Type Ratings: Citation Jets 1,2,5,B, Ultra, IA)
- Instructor Pilot in the UPF-7 Wacco, AT-6 Texan, and the P-51 Mustang
- Sea Plane Instructor Pilot
- 10 years as a USAF Instructor Pilot from 2002-2012
- Aerospace Test Pilot, helping to develop flying drones in Afghanistan
Bert’s passion for flight and flight instruction is contagious, and his students’ resulting enthusiasm is obvious from their very first flight!
Bert hails from a flight heritage family, with his father being a WW II test pilot and his brother being a highly decorated U.S. Naval Academy pilot, most recently retired from Delta Airlines.
As Donnie puts it, he started flying in 1981 just for 'grins'. He then obtained his CFI in 1985, and then went on to obtain his advanced ratings and certificates because he wanted to learn all he could about airplanes and about his passion for flight. He instructed part-time until 1999, and that's when he decided to make instructing his full-time occupation. Donnie really enjoys being a flight instructor, and feels that the best aviation decision he ever made was to obtain the instructor certificate.
Out of all of his aviation experiences, being a CFI is what Donnie enjoys the most, because of the people he meets and the aircraft he gets to instruct in. Flying is a very important part of Donnie’s life, and he looks forward to sharing it with you!
J.C. has a B.S. in Kinesiology from UT Knoxville. She actually began flying with her father as a little girl. However, it was only after completing her degree that she realized her true passion lies in the adventure and thrill of aviation. She has since completed her private, instrument, commercial and CFI ratings and has also accrued over 100 hours of tailwheel time. J.C. is excited to share her love of aviation and all of the exciting things that come with it, while working towards her dream job of flying for the U.S. Air Force. If you can't find her at the airport, she's probably coaching volleyball or hiking a mountain.
Amanda holds a B.S. in Aerospace, Professional Pilot and an M.S. in Aviation Education, both from Middle Tennessee State University. She began flying in 1996 in Huntsville, AL, earning her Private Pilot's license before relocating to Murfreesboro to attend MTSU to complete both degrees, instrument, commercial, CFI and CFII ratings. She currently teaches as an adjunct professor and an academic advisor, but has also worked with business development and maintenance for a Part 135 operation.
