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, MEI

Biography: Kai was born and raised here in the PNW on a small little farm in Hockinson. He started flying right out of high school and hasn’t looked back since. He is a diesel mechanic by trade, and has used that money to fund the endless black hole we all know and love as flying.

Hobbies: Some of his hobbies include restoring classic cars, and anything where he can turn wrenches and get his hands dirty, as well as hanging out with his girlfriend! And obviously flying!

Peers describe Kai as: The people he spends time with would describe him as respectful, honest, intelligent and funny

Teaching Style: His favorite teaching style is being involved and hands on but also very laid back. He believes people learn best when they are having a good time so he really strives to make flight training fun and not just a means to an end.

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

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