CFI, CFII, Tailwheel

Biography: Brian grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is not a stranger to adventure and flying. With his sense of curiosity, flying was a natural progression for Brian. When he is not spending time with his family, Brian is constantly looking for new places to go and new things to discover.

Hobbies: Fishing, flying, rock climbing

Peers describe Brian as: Honest, Professional, Researcher

Teaching style: Demonstrator

“In the past two years, my daughter has taught me to mentor and teach with patience and empathy, and I am looking forward to applying this during flight lessons.”

CFI

Biography: Sara’s passion for aviation began in Alaska when she was a young girl. She went on a seaplane tour through southeast Alaska with a female pilot and fell in love with flying. Originally from Arizona, Sara moved to the Pacific Northwest and did all of her training at Aero Maintenance. Sara looks forward to sharing her passion for aviation with new students.

Hobbies: traveling, exploring

Peers describe Sara as: Honest, funny, helpful

Teaching Style: Motivator

CFI

Biography: Brigham is an educator in Southwest Washington, with 30 years of education and training experience. As a flight instructor, Brigham serves on the Portland FSDO FAA Safety Team, serving as both a Wings Pro and Drone Pro, providing safety seminars and promoting aviation for the next generation of pilots.

Hobbies: Flying, grandkids, managing his aviation website

Peers describe Brig as: Positive, friendly

Teaching Style: Motivator, Mentor

CFI

Biography: Born in China and moved to Vancouver at a young age. After discovering his passion for aviation, Jack worked hard to become an instructor at Aero Maintenance. He loves being a mentor and a role model and is thrilled to be able to share his knowledge of aviation here at Pearson.

Hobbies: Table Tennis, Outdoors, Spending time with family.

Peers describe Jack as: Supportive, understanding, fun, patient.

Teaching Style: Motivator, Demonstrator.

CFI, Tailwheel

Biography: Kayla was first interested in flying as a youngster when they saw a taildragger taxiing around at what used to be Evergreen Field in Vancouver. While they were not able to start flying then at 6 years old, thoughts of flying were forever in the back of the mind. In their 20s they had to decide what career path to pursue. Kayla took a discovery flight at an airport in the PNW. Many fun stories, blood sweat and tears followed. Kayla is currently an experienced instructor, with experience in other areas of commercial aviation.

Hobbies: Hiking, camping, casual kayaking, snacking, and making friends with cats and dogs

Peers describe Kayla as: Calm and patient

Teaching Style: Demonstrate, then let students practice and give usable feedback.

“You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.”

CFI, CFII

Biography: Kevin’s passion for transcending our earthly bounds began while watching the first space shuttle launch. He grew up in Missouri tinkering with model airplanes, rockets and science experiments. At 16, his airline pilot uncle gave him an intro ride and the hook was set. Lessons and private certificate came soon after. Kevin’s aviation passion continued with skydiving, paragliding and building an ultralight. He began professional training at Aero Maintenance in 2019. Kevin looks forward to sharing the gift of flight with new students.

Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Gardening, DIY Projects and spending time with his son.

Teaching style:Demonstrator, Facilitator

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.”

― Albert Einstein

CFI

Biography: Jason has lived in the Vancouver area almost all of his life. His start in aviation began in 2010 in the Marine Corps where he worked as a mechanic and flew crew in the MV-22 Osprey. After being honorably discharged, he was looking to continue his career in aviation. He began managing Pearson's avionics shop in 2017 and obtained his Private Pilot's license in 2018. Jason continued his training and decided to make flying his career in 2022. It was then that Jason moved out of avionics and began full-time flight instruction. In 2023, Jason and his wife welcomed a son, Jason cannot wait to share his love of flying and working on planes with him.

Hobbies: Snowboarding, Hunting and working on cars.

Peers describe Jason as: Hilarious, Dedicated, Totally fun to fly with.

Teaching style: Motivator, Mentor

“Flying is hours and hours of boredom sprinkled with a few seconds of sheer terror.”

-Pappy Boyington

CFI

Biography: Carina’s passion for aviation started when she was a young girl growing up in Brazil. She decided to become a flight attendant and when the time was right she chose to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. After Carina went on an intro flight at Pearson, she decided that flying is what she wants to do for the rest of her life.

Hobbies: running, traveling, camping with her dog.

Peers describe Carina as: Supportive, Dependable, Fun

Teaching style: Motivator, Facilitator

“There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky.

And you ask, "what if I fall?"

Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”

-Erin Hanson

CFI, CFII

Biography: Bobby has been fascinated with aviation since he was a child. After his first discovery flight, there was no going back. He looks forward to sharing his love of flying with his students.

Hobbies: Golfing, Flying

Peers describe Bobby as: Honest, Funny

Teaching style: Motivator, Demonstrator

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember the airplane takes off into the wind, not with it.”

-Henry Ford

CFI, CFII

Biography: Elizabeth grew up in Portland and went to Lincoln High School before heading out to New York for college. Elizabeth completed flight training out of Morristown NJ and taught in the DC area before coming back home to the beautiful PNW.

Hobbies: Basketball, ultimate frisbee, listening to Afropop, flying up and down the Oregon coast!

Peers describe you as: Easy to get along with!

Teaching style: Fun and engaging!

“There are old pilots and bold pilots but not many old, bold pilots. Safety first!”

CFI, CFII

Biography: Conor has loved airplanes and everything aviation since he was 6 years old when he donned his uncles Northwest Airlines uniform. Since then he has weaved aviation through his life until the dream of flying as a career became a reality. In addition to teaching as a CFI, Conor works for the University of Washington Men’s Rowing Team and is a substitute teacher at Cascadia Technical Institute.

Hobbies: Woodworking, golfing, beer making, backpacking, travelling, all with my wife and 3 kids.

Peers describe you as: Thoughtful, patient, driven, optimistic

Teaching style: I’m a supportive guide for your journey.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” - Seneca

CFI

Biography: Michael got hooked on flight after a friend on his floor in college took him up on a whim one day. The experience was so incredible that he changed his degree so he could share the gift of aviation with others. He is passionate about helping others grow and achieve their goals. When Michael isn't flying or studying for the next rating, he is looking for excuses to go on little adventures with friends and get a group together to play board games.

Hobbies: Weightlifting, board games, drone racing

Peers describe you as: Passionate, empathetic, driven, friendly

Teaching style: Coach, Motivator

“The best time to plant an apple tree was twenty years ago. The next best time is today.”