Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Thomas Sando of Williston, North Dakota has received his First Accreditation as a Master Aviation Educator. He is one of only four active MAEs in the U.S.. His designation recognizes his commitment to excellence as a teacher of Aviation at Williston High School, where he has be teaching for 5 years while using the AOPA STEM curriculum. A pilot since 2013, Thomas became a CFI in August 2022. He holds a degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautic University in Aviation Business Administration with a minor in Airport Management. On evenings and weekends, he is a flight instructor for Overland Aviation at Williston Basin International Airport.
“Sharing my love for aviation is my passion, watching students put in the hard work, and realizing things we want in life takes work,” he says. “I have wanted to be an aviator for as long as I can remember. The spark was ignited in me the first time I flew with my uncle over the hills of northern Idaho in his Titan Tornado. It never gets old hearing the excitement of a student after their first intro flight or when your students become your peers and you can relate to them as only fellow aviators can,” he says. Thomas lives in Williston with his wife Sarah, son James, two foster children and their two doodle dogs, Pilot and Boeing.
Master Instructors is honored to announce that Col. Bob Mitchell (U.S. Army, Ret.) of Enterprise, Alabama, has received his First Accreditation as a Master Flight Instructor-Aerobatic. Bob has been an active CFI for 36 straight years and has flown over 9000 flight hours, including 500 combat flight hours. An experienced military and civilian flight instructor, he currently works for CAE as an Advanced Instructor Pilot (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) in support of the U.S. Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training Program in Dothan, Alabama. He also owns and operates StrikeHawk Aviation, a flight school in Enterprise, and his various volunteering activities include EAA Young Eagles program and the Troy University Air Force ROTC.
Bob recently retired after 30 years in the Army. As a career Aeromedical Evacuation Officer, he served in numerous command and staff positions, including two combat tours. In 2004-2005, he served as a Medevac Battalion Commander in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. For their exemplary actions in combat, Col. Mitchell’s battalion was bestowed the prestigious Lieutenant General Ellis D. Parker Award for the best Combat Support Aviation Battalion in the Army for 2005. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo where he was a starting wide receiver for the Rocket football team. He also holds Master’s Degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the U.S. Army War College and is a member of the Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame at his High School as well as a member of the DUSTOFF Association Hall of Fame.
Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Mike Kloch of Bend, Oregon has received his Second Accreditation as a Master Instructor-Aerobatic. Mike “Cuckoo” Kloch, CFII/MEI and Oregon’s only Master Instructor, is a former Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot who served a combat tour flying over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch. After attending Aviation Safety Officer School at the Naval Postgraduate School, he served as a Director of Safety and Standardization for a Marine Air Group. He now works as a contract test pilot and instructor for Epic aircraft, Elite Pilot Services, and others, and is also Chief pilot and CEO for Specialized Aero Works (SAW) in Bend. He teaches UPRT, aerobatics, tailwheel and more in SAW’s Super Decathlon. He holds commercial and instrument helicopter ratings and a type rating in the CM-170 Fouga Magister. Mike volunteers as an FAA Safety Team Representative and is co-creator of the Central Oregon Aviation Safety Team. Find him and many aviation topics at mikekloch.com. In his free time, Mike enjoys the great outdoors and spending time with his family.
Master Instructors is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Gill of Spring, Texas has been designated a Master CFI for the first time. With a career spanning over 30 years, Jeff’s aviation passion was ignited at age 8 flying with his pilot mother. Operating out of United Flight Systems in Spring, Jeff is committed to growing aspiring aviators. His teaching techniques have evolved in sync with technological advancements and changing industry standards while tailoring his methods for each individual’s learning needs. This dedication and adaptability have earned Jeff a well-deserved reputation as a highly effective and respected flight instructor, culminating in his recognition as Master Instructor.