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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jake Freeland
CFI
With both parents in the aviation field, Jake Freeland grew up around airplanes and immersed in the life of an airline pilot. He started pilot training with The Flying School on his 17th birthday and hasn't stopped since. He intends to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and become a professional airline pilot. Growing up in Windsor, Colorado has given Jake a love of the outdoors and can most often be found riding his motorcycle on the trails or hiking in the nearby foothills.
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.
Jack Adamson
CFI, CFII
Bio coming soon…
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.
Lexi Bahnsen
CFI, CFII
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.
Zach Freeland
CFI
Bio coming soon….
Chris Sullivan
CFI, CFII
Bio Coming Soon…
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.
Tony Vernetti
Maintenance Director
Bio coming soon…
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.