Jim Burr Chairman

Commercial Pilot, CFI w/ 550 PIC hrs (5 Multi)

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Hi-Perf, Complex As Chairman and CEO of Western Air Enterprises, Inc., for the last five years, Jim Burr combines hands-on experience at the line management level with a comprehensive human resources and training background. Prior to becoming Chairman of Western Air Enterprises Jim spent 5 years as president and CEO. Jim is an instrument rated commercial pilot, certified flight instructor and is serving as a Lt. Col. in the US Air Force Auxiliary.

Jon Payne President, CFO

Commercial Pilot Single/Multi , CFI w/ 500 PIC hrs (45 Multi)

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Multi, Hi-Perf, Complex

Jon joined Western Air in September 2007 as Vice President, Finance. He grew up in central Montana and has lived all over the US. Jon earned a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He later earned a graduate degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Operations Research from The College of St Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition, he is a non practicing Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Jon has over 30 years of experience in Information Technology at the senior management level, and has worked for companies such as General Mills, PepsiCo, Sprint, and Wild Oats Markets. Jon holds a flight instructor rating, and is working on his instrument instructor rating.

Pete Boldrin Chief Instructor, 141;Chief Pilot/Captain (Part 135)Head CSIP

ATP, CFII-MEI w/ 22000+ flight hrs (19570 Multi, 70 Tailwheel), Mountain Flight Training

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Multi, Hi-Perf, Complex, Tailwheel CIRRUS CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR (CSIP )As an Air Traffic Control Specialist in the USAF (1965-1969). I grew a strong desire to fly. In the spring of 1969 I started flight training in a FAR 141 flight school called Santa Barbara Aviation. 22,000 hours and 38 years later I've retired (Jan 2005) as a Captain with Continental Airlines. I spent 23 years with scheduled air carriers and 15 in general aviation, including instructing, corporate and charter type flying. I have returned to flight instructing, having flown the Learjet to B747 and most jets in between, so I might encourage and help other pilots pursue the exciting possibilities of tomorrows' aviation career. I am a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI),an Instructor Pilot with the Civil Air Patrol. and possess the AGI / IGI ratings. I've had the privilege of successfully completing the Cirrus Standardized Instructor Program (CSIP) in April,2007. It's a privilege to be with Western Air.

Howard McClure Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Part 141/G1000 CFI, CFII, Cirrus Instructor

Commercial Pilot, CFII w/ 3445 PIC hrs (5 Multi, 25 Tailwheel), Mountain Flight Training

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Hi-Perf, Complex, Tailwheel Howard started his flying career in 1973 at Cape Central Airways, Cape Girardeau, MO, received his private certificate in March of that year. He received his Instrument, Commercial, Advanced Ground Instructor, Flight Instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor in 1979. He then filled the position of Staff Instructor/Transport and Charter Pilot at that same facility. Howard has been a Chief Check Pilot with the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol since 1996, and has been an Instructor Pilot since 1993. He is certified to train CAP members in search and rescue operations in the Colorado Rockies, and conduct flight examinations in all phases of search and rescue in accordance with FAA and CAP regulations.

Jenae Blumer VP/General Manager

Commercial Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI w/1435 PIC hrs

Jen Blumer is Western Air Flight Academy’s Vice-President and General Manager. She is a Certified Flight Instructor from Tallahassee, Florida. Jen received her experience as a flight instructor working for several years at Delta Connection Academy out of Sanford, Florida where she received her CFI, CFII, and MEI. She also taught the Airline Upset recovery course for Delta. Jen graduated at the top of her class at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and continues her education by currently pursuing her Masters Degree from Embry-Riddle in Aviation Management. If you have any questions about Western Air Flight Academy give Jen a call. Jen is currently accepting new students so Come Fly With Us!  

 

John Bowman

Commercial Pilot, CFII w/ 12500 PIC hrs (65 Multi, 9000 Tailwheel)

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Multi, Hi-Perf, Complex, Tailwheel After spending 25 years as a barnstormer for the Red Baron Pizza flying team, I have returned to my first aviation love: Flight Instruction. I enjoy the maturity and depth of experience that Western Air flight Academy offers it's students. I am fortunate to be a part of this outstanding cadre of teachers. I have a special interest in Primary training (Private Pilot), flight instructor mentoring and Mountain flying. Other interests include fly fishing,and, making and playing stringed instruments. COME FLY WITH ME!

Bill Ryan

Commercial Pilot, CFI

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Multi, Hi-Perf, Complex

1000+ hrs. 200+ instruction given. International flight experience. FAA Safety Team Rep., former FAA Safety Counsoler. Civil Air Patrol pilot. I have taught in Navy Flying Clubs. Professionals and technical people are a specialty not a challange with me. 303-466-6998

Matthew Fishback

ATP, CFII-MEI w/ 2500 PIC hrs (1095 Multi)

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Multi, Hi-Perf, Complex

Hello I am excited to be part of the team at Western Air. Flying has been one of my passions in life for the past 15 years now. I earned my Private pilot at Airwest Flying Club in 1998. Attended Metro State College and graduated from the Professional Pilot Program at Delta Connection Academy in Orlando, Florida in 2003. I have been teaching people to fly for 6 years now and I am loving every minute of it. I am currently a Captain flying LearJets for International Jet Aviation of Denver. I look forward to owning my very own Jet Charter Company in the near future. Please checkout my websiteat www.milehighflying.com

Jeff Gorder

Commercial Pilot, CFII w/ 600 PIC hrs

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Hi-Perf, Complex

Simon Roberts Flight Instructor

Commercial Pilot, CFII

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Hi-Perf, Complex, Tailwheel Simon started flying in Longmont, CO in 1998 and now has 1400 hours total time. Shortly after obtaining his private certificate, he bought a 1946 Luscombe 8A which he flew at 100 mph to the Grand Canyon, the San Luis valley, and other destinations. In addition to a CFII rating he holds a commercial glider rating. When not teaching, his passions include both towing and flying gliders and aerial photography. Simon is qualified to teach in G-1000 equipped aircraft and is a mountain instructor.

Tony Moreno Flight Instructor

Commercial Pilot, CFI w/ 950 PIC hrs

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Hi-Perf, Complex, Cirrus

My name is Tony Moreno. Like most pilots, my infatuation with all things that fly, began early in childhood. My first solo was in a glider, not in a car. Having practiced medicine as a PA for 23 years, I've brought flying back into my life and have discovered the joy of teaching - sharing this love with others who's eyes and minds are wide open like mine. In the airplane, the ordinary details of life fade away. A new way of thinking and a whole new perspective fills the mind. I've spent well over 500 hours instructing in Cessna and Cirrus aircraft (another eye opener!) and look forward to more decades as a pilot - sharing what I've learned.

Stephanie Allen Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII

Stephanie grew up in New England and developed a love for flying with her father. Trained at Flight Safety International at Vero Beach, Florida, she has been a commercial multi-engined instrument rated pilot for 20 years. Stephanie relocated to Denver 4 years ago and enjoys the challenges that flying in the Rocky Mountain Region offers. She works with begining students, as well as providing training for commercial and instrument pilots.

Ethan Martin Flight Instructor

Commercial Pilot w/ 1170 PIC hours

Ratings and Endorsements: CFI, CFII, MEI, Cirrus

Ethan soloed in a Piper J-3 Cub and has flown across the Atlantic in a Turbo Commander 1000. He currently focuses on Cirrus training and flies our SR-20's. Ethan is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Entrepreneurs Organization. He graduated magna cum laude from Carleton College with a bachelors in economics and earned an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He has had a wide and varied career with a number of aviation companies in a senior management roles.

Drew Elkins  Flight Instructor

Commercial Pilot, CFI

Ratings and Endorsements: Instrument, Multi, Complex, High Performance, High Altitude

Drew grew up in Boulder, CO and has always enjoyed skiing, camping, hiking, and, of course, the Denver Broncos, Nuggets, Avs, and Rockies. He started flying at age 16 and soloed through Civil Air Patrol’s National Flight Academy. Drew attended Purdue University, where he majored in professional flight technology and minored in aviation management. While at Purdue, he had the opportunity to fly a King Air 200, Beechjet 400A, and a full motion Boeing 727 simulator. Drew has instructed Purdue students enrolled in the private and commercial courses, as well as instrument courses in Frasca simulators. After his junior year, he was fortunate to intern with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters and fly the P3D Orion into Hurricane Dolly. He recently graduated and moved back to Boulder and is very excited to continue instructing and share my passion of flying at Western Air.

Kara Pruitt   Flight Instructor

Ratings and Endorsements:   Commercial Pilot, Single Engine Land, Multi Engine Land, Private Helicopter, Tail Wheel, CFI, CFII with 1250 hrs

I fly for the adventure, beauty, and challenge. I enjoy teaching enthusiastic students the joy of flying and conducting Flight Reviews to keep the adventure alive and safe. During my ten years of flying I have flown as a survey pilot for the Georgia Forestry Commission (C182), Corporate Co-pilot (BE36 & BE20), and Air Race Classic pilot (KCAB) in addition to flight instructing. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

I take pride in helping organizations that promote woman pilots. I am an active member of the 99s and Whirly Girls (#1500). I am also a FAA Safety Representative volunteer.