"The only thing that comes close to matching my love of flying, is teaching and sharing the experience with someone who is as hopelessly addicted to flying as I am."

Robert Stedman, CFI-I, MEI, CSIP

Bob has been a flight instructor since 1974. He has as great a passion for teaching as he does for flying. With nearly 12,000 hours of flight instruction, he’s an expert in cabin-class piston twins, jets and turboprops. Bob’s Cirrus experience dates back to 2001, when he became one of the first Cirrus standardized instructors in Colorado.

Email: bobstedman@ia-kapa.com

"As pilots we are always learning. If we stop learning, we should stop flying. Passing on to others the things I've learned is what makes my day."

Chuck Gensler, CFI-I, CSIP

For most people, Livin’ the dream is just another cliché. For Chuck Gensler, it’s a three-word bio. Chuck is a lifelong aviation educator, which is his dream come true. He spent most of his 25-year career in the U. S. Air Force training youngsters to be the best of the best. Now, in “retirement,” he’s teaching the rest of us to be the best we can be. Never one to rest on his considerable laurels, Chuck was also one of the first CSIP’s in Colorado.

Email: chuckgensler@ia-kapa.com

"When I hear people say, 'The sky's the limit,' I tell them, That's not true. That's just where the fun begins."

Chris Hannah, CFI-I, MEI, CSIP

Chris was one of the first CFI's hired at IA. Shortly after joining us, Chris took a position with a commuter airline in the northeast, basically on assignment from IA, in order to learn that industry and how to fly that regional weather and bring those skills back to Colorado for the benefit of IA's clientele. These days, when he's not in the cockpit of a King Air as the chief pilot for one of our clients, he stays busy sharing his vast experience with his IA colleagues and students – for which we are all the better.

Email: chrishannah@ia-kapa.com

"Well, enough about me. Let's talk about flying." – Craig Thighe, halfway through a date.

Craig Thighe, CFI-I, MEI, TCI

A NAFI master flight instructor, Craig is a lifelong aviation educator whose experience includes corporate and turbine aircraft. He works full-time for a large aviation company and part-time for Independence Aviation. (He's so good at what he does, we tolerate his split devotion.) And, by the way, about Craig's date in the quote above… she married him and they now have two beautiful kids who also love to fly. It's in the genes.

Email: craigthighe@ia-kapa.com

"The perfect flight experience would be piloting your airplane to a world-class fly-fishing destination."

Jack Brennan, CFI-I, MEI, TCI

Jack has spent so much time in the cockpit in his 40-year career that he's actually a little uncomfortable on the ground except when he's fishing. He has clocked more than 20,000 hours as a Navy pilot, instructor, and as a Continental Airlines captain for 29 years – not to mention the time he spends sharing his extensive knowledge in the air with IA students. Jack also helps one of our partner companies as a charter pilot for medical evacuation missions. We think he's one of the best catches we've ever made – and so do his students.

Email: jackbrennan@ia-kapa.com

"Some people have to go to work. I get to go fly."

Kevin Shepard, CFI-I, CSIP

Kevin is one of our career-change educators. Nearly a decade ago, he decided he wasn't having a lot of fun in his career and decided to follow his heart, which happened to be hanging out in aviation. Life has never been better. He now works for full-time for a large aviation company, but also brings his joy of teaching and flying to the IA team part-time. Kevin comes with a bonus: He can also help you fly radio control models, his other aviation passion.

Email: kevinshepard@ia-kapa.com

"Someone else said it first, but it's exactly how I feel about flying: To most people, the sky's the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home."

Masten Hamlin, CFI-I, MEI, CSIP

Masten is rapidly nearing two decades as a flight instructor. He brings to the classroom significant turbine and charter experience garnered from his years with one of the leading jet charter operations in the Rocky Mountain region. His teaching skills and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of aviation are widely respected throughout the KAPA community, as well as by the fortunate IA students he mentors.

Email: mastenhamlin@ia-kapa.com

"Life is better in the air; come share the experience."

Richard Barclay, CFI-I, MEI, TCI

An accredited NAFI master flight instructor and an FAA gold seal instructor since 2003, Rich has been a pilot since 1968. At one time he owned a homebuilding business, but he discovered he had a passion and a gift for sharing his love of flight and working with his devoted students. Plus, he literally knows aircraft inside out: In addition to his piloting skills, he has 40 years' experience as an airframe and powerplant expert. Rich has logged more than 7,400 hours' flying time, including cross-country flights to Alaska, Canada, Mexico and other destinations in his own plane. Rumor has it that he's more comfortable in a cockpit than in his own bed.

Email: richbarclay@ia-kapa.com

"Instructing is more than just teaching, it is also mentoring. My job as a mentor is to bring my experience and knowledge plus that of my own mentors together to help my students become better aviators."

Doug Whitson, CFI-I, MEI, CSIP

An instructor for more than two decades, Doug started flying when he was 5 and grew up in aviation. He graduated from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale with a degree in Aviation-Airline Management and went straight to  United Parcel Service's airline where he developed courses to train pilots.  Doug has specialized in Cirrus aircraft since 2002, and with six years working as a Regional Director for Cirrus Design, Doug brings insider knowledge and over 3000 hours of flying SR-22's in varied locations and conditions.  Whether your goals have you on an ILS into a busy international airport in hard IFR weather or lining up behind a Piper Cub VFR into Oshkosh, Doug has the experience to prepare you as a pilot.

Email: dougwhitson@ia-kapa.com

"Hey, Bob, This instruction stuff is too much fun. Maybe I'll do this instead of flying for the 'bigs.'"

John Post, CFI-I, TCI

Although our senior instructors have taught and recommended many CFI's during their careers, John used our team teaching concept to the max and became IA's first CFI graduate. He did so well in his training that we persuaded him to come on staff. His desire to learn and to share makes him an invaluable asset to IA clients. We like to think of John as our own creation, and we're really glad he chose us over the big boys. And according to his students, they're in total agreement.

Email: johnpost@ia-kapa.com

"There are no old, bold pilots. I just want to be an old pilot."

Bruce Fritzsche, CFI-I, MEI, CSIP

Bruce started flying with the Air Force in 1975 and has continued flying to this day. From the primary T-37 jet trainer to the F-106 Delta Dart and the F-15 Eagle, he's had a wealth of air experiences. In the military, he served as an accident investigator, chief of flying safety, and squadron operations officer.

Email: brucefritzsche@ia-kapa.com

"There is an art to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."

Rhett Kamm, CFI-I, MEI, TCI

Rhett earned many of his ratings under the watchful eye of IA's leader, Bob Stedman, before leaving Denver for new adventures. When we learned he was returning to God's Country, we did everything we could to persuade him to join us and take the pledge to do things "the IA way." Fortunately, he accepted our offer – and while he's getting used to our way, he's taught us a few tricks of his own. We are very pleased to have Rhett's years and breadth of experience available to us and to IA students.

Email: rhettkamm@ia-kapa.com

"Being a flight instructor is the best job in the world. I can't believe I get paid to do it."

Matt Beckman, CFI-I, MEI, TCI

Matt has been flying since l994, taking his first flying lesson at age nine, and soloing at 16. He says being a flight instructor is the perfect venue to share his passion for aviation with others. Matt has a bachelor of science degree in aviation technology from Metropolitan State College of Denver. As an IA instructor, he enjoys helping his clients grow as aviators in a safe, fun and professional environment, while experiencing the joy of flying in Colorado and destinations beyond.

Email: mattbeckman@ia-kapa.com

"Never let an airplane take you somewhere your brain didn't arrive five minutes earlier."

Matthew Carrigan, CFI-I, TCI

Matthew's love for flying began at a young age and eventually led to his first lesson at the age of 16 out of KLAA. After graduating high school Matthew then went on to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott AZ in the spring of 2010 with a major in aeronautics and minors in both business administration and meteorology. Over his three years at ERAU Matthew was able to obtain all his certificates and ratings including his CFI, and in the Fall of 2010 added CFI-I to his instructor background through Independence Aviation’s immersion program. Matthew’s flight experience has taken him to both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts with many destinations in between. Matthew is representing IA as both an instructor and customer service & support representative. We are confident that Matthew is going to be a valuable asset to the continued growth and improvement at IA.

Email: matthewcarrigan@ia-kapa.com

"It is an honor to share my passion for flying and help mentor my students."

Ethan Martin, CFI-I, MEI, TCI

When Ethan is not running his strategy consulting firm he loves "paying it forward" and sharing his diverse aviation experience - from a pond crossing to Europe in a Turbo Commander to serving as an advisor to Barrington Irving, the youngest person to fly solo around the world, with his students. He specializes in introducing business leaders to the Cirrus.

Email: ethanmartin@ia-kapa.com

"Flying is fun, but teaching someone else to fly is even more fun! Plus, my office has the best view in the world. Oh yeah...that's because it's a cockpit."

Abbey Meraz, CFI-I, TCI

Abbey was born and raised in Denver and started flying right after high school. She graduated from the Metropolitan State College of Denver with a BS in Aviation Technology and acquired her certificates and ratings right here at Centennial Airport. Abbey initially thought that getting her flight instructor certificate would be a good way to build her flight time. After she started instructing, however, she found she loved it and decided to make instructing her career of choice. Abbey instructed with Independence Aviation in 2007 and 2008 and is now back with IA after 3 years of living in Wichita, KS, where she worked for a large aviation training company. She feels very blessed to be instructing at IA again and is thrilled to be able to work with the wonderful instructors and clients that can only be found at Independence Aviation.

Email: abbeymeraz@ia-kapa.com

"There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent, or hinder, or control a firm resolve of a determined soul." Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Jason Carroll, CFI-I, MEI

Jason began flying at age 14 by cleaning out another pilot's hangar on Saturday mornings, then flying with him in the afternoons in Mesa, AZ. He went on to Arizona State University and earned all of his certificates and ratings. He has flown as a CFI since 1995. He has flown corporate (in a C-320) and for three different airlines (Westair, Atlantic Coast Airlines, and United Airlines.) He is currently flying LearJets out of Centennial Airport as well as instructing for IA. Jason's love for instructing is not limited to aviation. He also is a firearms instructor.

Email: jasoncarroll@ia-kapa.com

"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get."

Mike Cetinich

Mike attended San Jose State University and graduated with a BS in Meteorology, and attended graduate school in meteorology working towards a MS. Mike has been involved in aviation weather since joining a large aviation company in 1983. Mike was also a student pilot while attending college. In addition to being an operational forecaster, a scientific programmer, managing the operational weather office and a product manager, Mike is a self professed weather geek. Mike knew from the time he was 8 years old that he wanted to become a meteorologist. I have been very lucky to pursue my two passions, weather and aviation, in my career. Mike is honored to be able to teach aviation weather to pilots so that they can understand the medium in which they are flying better, and hopefully be more safe when it comes to making weather related decisions. In addition to his career and teaching aviation weather, Mike enjoys experiencing weather in the great outdoors of Colorado while cycling, hiking, skiing as well as chasing tornadoes when conditions permit.

Weather is inherently unpredictable, but the more you understand about the atmosphere, the better sense you can make out of what you see and make better decisions both on the ground and in the air.

"."

Thomas White, CFI-I, TCI

Watch for Tom's biography to arrive shortly.

Email: tomwhite@ia-kapa.com