Matt Shidler – Chief Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI, CSIP
Matt started flying in 2005 and has been a flight instructor since 2010. He graduated in 2009 from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aviation Flight Technology.
Matt is a CSIP (Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot), qualified in both Perspective and Avidyne avionics, with more than 1000 hours of instruction given in Cirrus Aircraft . He also has experience as a corporate pilot flying throughout North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean in several different aircraft including the Citation CJ3, Pilatus PC-12, and Piaggio P180 Avantii. Matt enjoys passing the knowledge and experience that he has gained on to his students and seeing them succeed.
Austin Thorne – Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, TCI
Austin is a third-generation flight instructor and aviation enthusiast from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s in central California. After 6 years as a Quality Inspection technician in the space and defense industry, Austin was encouraged by his wife to pursue his passion of aviation and eventually share his love for flying and lifetime of aviation experience with his students. When he is not flying, Austin enjoys camping, hiking, craft beer, and spending time with his wife and dogs. Austin’s aviation goals include one day building his own airplane, and racing gliders in different places around the world.
Brian Browning – CFI, AGI
My passion for teaching and aviation was passed down by my parents. After a 30-year career in software sales, I figured it was time to go do what I love the most; flying and teaching. My passion is helping those who dream of becoming a pilot to attain the confidence and skills to realize their dream. A great day for me is watching a student have that epiphany where they realize that becoming a pilot is within their grasp. My other passions, that take a second seat to aviation of course, are soccer, guitar, and quotable B-movies.
Hunter Mashburn – CFI, CFII, MEI
Hunter spent the entirety of his life in Stephenville, Texas. His passion for Aviation started at the age of 15 when he took private lessons out of enjoyment. Hunter loves flying due to its constant challenges and for the ability to explore and visit new places. He started his journey to become a pilot at the University of Oklahoma and finished his pilot certifications in Arizona. He moved back to Texas in the Spring of 2021. When Hunter isn’t flying, he is fishing, playing golf, or spending time outdoors. Hunter loves flying with his students and he enjoys giving them the same exceptional experience he had as a student.
Ray Rodriguez – CFI, CFII, MEI
RayLee is the first pilot in a long line of family accountants and engineers. He grew up as an aspiring child actor after signing to an acting agency in San Antonio TX, and then moving on to performing musical theatre for the North East School of the Arts. His love for aviation came after he went on a Southwest Airlines flight for one of his auditions, and he was hooked the second he was rolling down the runway. After 6 years in performing arts, he finally decided to leave the stage and pick up a headset and chase his true passion of flying. When he is not flying, Ray enjoys, hiking, running outdoors, practicing Jiu Jitsu, and spending time with a guitar in his hands just strumming away. Ray’s aviation goals include one-day flying medevac flights for patients in need of emergency transport, but until then, He is focused on sharing his passion for flying with students and enjoys seeing the smiles on their faces when they’re finally told, “Congratulations, you’re a pilot!”
Tiffany Moniz – CFI, CFII, TCI
Tiffany is from Marble Falls, Texas. She found her love for aviation after 12 years in retail management. She spent 6 years in Aero-Space Engineering for GE Aviation building and overseeing production control of composite fan blades. She’s the first in her family to take on the aviation journey. Tiffany enjoys spending her free time going on road trips, traveling, hiking, swimming, kayaking, going to Buc-ee’s and of course flying airplanes!
Christian Cutbirth – CFI
Christian is from Houston, Texas and is the first pilot in his family. He found his passion for flying shortly after high school when he did his first discovery flight and realized the office views are much sweeter at altitude. Christian has now been flying for five years and instructing for over two years. His favorite part about instructing is seeing his student’s confidence grow, as they build their skills and knowledge in becoming safe pilots. In Christian’s free time he enjoys golf, soccer, hiking and spending time with family.
Wyatt DuCharme – CFI, CFII
Wyatt is the 5th person in his family to obtain a pilot’s license. After being introduced to flying by his mom, he obtained most of his certificates through Montana State University along with an associate’s degree in Applied Science of Aviation. He received his CFI and CFII in Georgia. Wyatt has been flying for the last 6 years and has instructed students in Georgia, Florida, California, Idaho and now Texas for the past 2 years. When he is not flying he enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Braeden Dang – CFI, CFII
Braeden has loved aviation since he was a kid. He started flying at Ohio University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Aviation Flight and Management. Braeden has always had a love for instructing and helping others to succeed. When he is not flying, Braeden enjoys hanging out with his dogs, swimming, and hiking. His aviation goals are to fly for the airlines to eventually one day own his own plane!
