Our Fixed Wing CFIs
Brian VanHorn
Brian is a 20+ year Air Force veteran and a graduate of Saint Louis University. He is a CFI, Advanced Ground Instructor, and Dispatcher with over 5,000 flight hours. Brian has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since June 2019.
Jim Moseley
Jim graduated Magna-Cum-Laude from Saint Louis University with a B.S. in Flight Science. He is a CFI and CFII and was awarded the 2018 Flight Instructor of the year In the St. Louis area. He also instructs in Southwestern Illinois College’s Aviation program. Jim has been instructing with Ideal since January 2018 and became Chief CFI of the Fixed-Wing program in the fall of 2021.
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James Braithwaite
James served for 10 years in the British Royal Air Force and met his wife, Auburn, while working with the USAF in Germany. They now live in O’Fallon, IL, with their daughter Julia and two dogs Ollie and Kevin.
He is a fixed wing CFI, CFII and MEI and trained at a Part 141 flight school near San Antonio, Texas.
Don Drake
Don began his flight experience working on his PPL in 2016 at C77. He finished the next year at KDKB. In 2021 he started training with ATP and received his instrument and commercial ratings. He went on to become a customer of Ideal Aviation where he received his CFI!
Dan Backer
Dan graduated from St Louis University with a B.S. in Aeronautics in 2008. After working for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for over 12 years, the call of the sky was too loud to ignore. He decided to become a Flight Instructor so he could share with others the wonders of flight.
Dan has been with Ideal Aviation since 2022.
Jake Ervin
Jake got his passion for aviation from his father. He received his private pilot license after his freshman year in college. While working at Boeing, he continued his flight training on the evenings and weekends earning his instrument rating. When nearing his commercial check ride, he decided to resign from Boeing to focus full time on flight training. he began with Ideal Aviation in 2022 and loves witnessing students transform from no flight time to PIC!
Our Rotary Wing CFIs
Cody Adams
Cody is from Kansas City, Kansas. He studied at Kansas University and the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a CFI and CFII in helicopters and is an instrument-rate commercial pilot in airplanes. Cody has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since October 2019.
Zach Lucas
Zach was born and raised in St. Louis with 15 years of aviation experience. He served 9+ years active duty in the Marines as a Huey Crew Chief, Mechanic, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. He graduated from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor’s in Aviation Management in 2018. He is both a helicopter mechanic and helicopter CFI and CFII. Zach has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since October 2019.
Jason Anderson
riginally from California, Jason spent 20 years as an Air Force officer and C-130 Navigator. His final assignment landed him in the Metro-East area where he soon found himself flying helicopters, completing his training through CFII, and beginning a second career. Currently, a utility and 135 pilot for a local operator, Jason has been a part-time and check instructor with Ideal Aviation since 2019.
Billy Miller
Billy is a Saint Louis native. He was on active duty in the marine corps for 4 years and reserve for another 4. He has been flying helicopters since March of 2019 and is currently working on his CFII in the Southwestern Illinois College Aviation Program. Billy has been instructing with Ideal since January of 2022.
Josh Faibisoff
or form, he has earned commercial glider, airplane, and helicopter certificates. More than anything, he loves to teach and holds CFI and CFII ratings in airplanes and helicopters. The Air Force brought him to the St Louis area in 2003 and he continues to serve as a Flight Surgeon in the Reserves. Josh has been instructing with Ideal since April of 2021.
Casey Kroeker
Casey Kroeker was born and raised in St. Louis. He grew up dreaming about flying helicopters and after serving active duty in the US Army Infantry, he used his GI bill and pursued his dream of flight training. Now he is a CFI and close to completing his CFII. He has been instructing with Ideal since August of 2021.
Shawn Tuckett
Shawn spent seven years in active duty Air Force as a Crew Chief. After leaving active duty, he decided he would rather fly! He completed his flight training at Southern Utah University, and is excited for his first position as a helicopter pilot instructor with Ideal Aviation!