Our Loveland Team
Connor Riley
Chief Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI
Connor Riley graduated from Colorado State University in 2018 with a degree In Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. After a few years in the workforce, he realized that aviation was his true passion. Connor received his ratings in Colorado and Wyoming and now shares his excitement for aviation with his students. Outside of aviation, Connor enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.
Clayton Richards
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII
Clay’s love for flying started in the back of an Aviat Husky when he was a kid. His dad would take him flying everywhere from the Idaho backcountry to the Mississippi River. After graduating University of Northern Colorado in 2016, Clay worked in real estate. It was after working a regular 9-5 job that he decided to start flight training. Ever since, he’s logged about the same number of hours in a taildragger as he has in a Cessna. When he’s not flying you can find him backpacking, cycling or going on an adventure with his pup. He’s lived in Colorado for a decade now and doesn't plan on leaving!
Brooke Jones
CFI, CFI Program Director
Brooke Jones grew up in Madison Wisconsin. It wasn't until later in college that she wanted to switch gears and make flying a career. Brooke completed most of her training in the Midwest and then upon moving to Colorado, finished her Flight Instructor training with The Flying School. She strives to share the excitement of aviation with others as it is a rewarding path to follow. When Brooke is not flying, she likes to climb, hike, and golf.
Christina Iverson
CFI, CFII, MEI
Christina grew up in Argyle, TX. She inherited her enthusiasm for flying from her grandfather, a pilot for Frontier, and her father, who was in crew operations at American. She received a degree in Geospatial Intelligence from BYU, but changed direction after her grandfather called and asked "Why aren't you flying yet?" She enrolled in training in Arlington, TX, where she earned her Private through CFI/CFII/MEI. When she isn't flying, Christina loves spending time with her family and baking.
Aaron Jewell
CFI, CFII
Aaron grew up in Iowa. He had a previous business career, but always wanted to pursue aviation. He decided to quit his job, sell his house and follow his passion full time. He has a bachelor’s degree in Flight Operations and completed his flight training at the University of Dubuque. He wants to encourage others that it's never too late to follow their aviation aspirations. In his free time he enjoys snowboarding, riding his motorcycle, and gaming.
Dave Johnson
CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP
In 1987, Dave changed careers and began flight training. After finishing flight training, enjoying two years as a Flight Instructor, a 20-year run with the airlines, and 7 years trading stocks, he's back doing something he really enjoys - teaching people how to fly. He particularly enjoys teaching primary and instrument students. When not flying airplanes, Dave and his wife, Cindy, run a horse ranch near Lyons, Colorado. Dave has been known to escape to one of the Colorado ski areas from time to time in the winter.
Melia Barlow
CFI
Melia Barlow was born and raised in Thousand Oaks California. Coming from a family full of professional pilots, Melia was introduced to the idea of flying from a very young age. As a flight instructor, Melia’s goal is to help pilots develop the confidence and skills necessary to get them where they want to go in aviation, and to most of all - be safe! When she isn’t flying, Melia can almost always be found on the back of a horse in the mountains, hiking, or spending time with friends and family.
Blake Forrest
CFI
Blake's love of aviation began when he was a little kid watching airliners constantly fly by his childhood house in Virginia. After growing up on the east coast he decided to pursue his dream of flying professionally at Oklahoma State University, where he completed a large majority of his flight training. After school, Blake moved out to Northern Colorado to continue his journey on to the airlines and he hopes to inspire future aviators along the way as an instructor. Most of Blake's time is taken up by flying, but if he is not up in the air you can probably find him on the golf course or in the mountains.
Chandler Freeland
CFI
Chandler found his love for aviation early with both parents already in the field, and seeing his favorite movie, Top Gun. “Although our planes are somewhat slower than the F-14 Tomcat, I still love our little Cessnas.” He has had all his training done in Fort Collins and has lived in Colorado his whole life. Teaching has also always been a passion of his, starting from teaching swimming lessons at the age of 15. Being a CFI has always been a goal for him. In his free time , he enjoy hikes, video games, and being bad at golf.
Bill Snodgrass
Light-sport CFI
Bill is a long time Flying School student, renter and now Sport Pilot CFI for The Flying School. Bill has extensive Sport Pilot and Light-Sport information and can help anyone interested in achieving their Sport Pilot certificate. Bill was past president of the local EAA Chapter and Young Eagle Coordinator, FNL Pilots Association member as well as Angel Flight West Wing Leader. When not flying, Bill is traveling and supporting his wife’s passion for agility competition with their dog Bailey.
Ronda Davenport
Office Manager
Ronda Davenport is in charge of the financial operations at the Loveland, Co location. She has been in the aviation industry for over 20 years and loves being around "all these flying people". Although not a pilot herself, she loves to watch new pilots gain their wings and listening to all of their stories.
Lexi Bahnsen
CFI
Born and raised in Northern Colorado, Lexi decided halfway through her business major in college that she wanted to pursue becoming a pilot. Doubling as a college student and a student pilot, Lexi started and finished all her training with The Flying School. Lexi wants to share her passion of aviation and motivate students to pursue their goals. She also works in the office as our customer service representative so she will be able to answer any questions you have about our programs!
Danny and Kelly Freeland
Owners
Danny and Kelly took over The Flying School in August of 2016 as a way to help their three sons pursue their dreams of becoming professional pilots. Danny has been a professional pilot since 1996 and is currently a first officer with American Airlines. Kelly graduated from CSU in 1997 and oversees the day to day operations of the school. Both Kelly and Danny were raised in Boulder but now live in Windsor with their children: Chandler, Zach and Jake.