OUR TEAM

Meet the Leading Edge Flight Academy Team

For 20 years, Leading Edge Flight Academy has specialized in training helicopter and airplane pilots and launching aviation careers. With over 37,000 cumulative hours and 100+ years in the industry, our management team of pilots knows what it takes to prepare you for an aviation career. Meet the team that makes it all possible.

Brad Fraley

CEO

Travis Warthen

President

Arianna Moore

CFO

Terry Riessen

Director of Safety

Jay Bunning

Director of Training

Chris Jordan

Helicopter Chief Instructor

Stephen Shoffner

Chief Airplane Instructor

Matt Smith

Director of Student Progress

Kate Ayres

Director of Admissions

Courtney Massey

Veteran Specialist

Kelly West

Director of Aircraft Scheduling

Sara Lower

Aircraft Scheduling and Billing

Noma Nelson

Human Resources Manager

Jeff Bishop

Facilities Manager

Samantha Shaver

Enrollment Manager

Want to join our team?

We always seek passionate, professional instructors and staff to join the Leading Edge Flight Academy team. Visit our careers page to see current openings and submit your application.

Careers

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“I moved to Bend, OR after I retired from the Navy to pursue my passion of becoming a professional pilot. Even though I was a relatively junior instructor with just a handful of CFI experience, I was hired by Leading Edge Flight Academy. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow and hone my skills as a pilot and ultimately assume the title and responsibilities of Lead CFI and Check Instructor. Flying in Central Oregon presents unique challenges and opportunities for young students and their instructors. Pilots are presented with real-world flying scenarios that can teach them valuable lessons about flying safely while executing sound decision making skills. I had the pleasure of having Nick as one of my first students when I started teaching at Leading Edge. It has been very rewarding to see him (and others) earn their pilot wings and become instructors as well! As I move on to a career in the airlines I reflect on my time at Leading Edge and am thankful for the amazing people I have had the opportunity to work with.”

Andrew Reischauer

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“Leading Edge provided me with the exceptional training that prepared me for an awesome career as a professional aviator. The kicker is that you get to train in the dynamic and gorgeous area that is central Oregon! I couldn’t be happier with my decision to fly at Leading Edge and choose aviation as my career!”

Adam Mitchell

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“It’s become part of who I am and I will never lose the desire and love I have for it.” Alice loves the freedom and adventure it brings! She wants to make flying into her career and inspire more women around the world! She highly encourages any women’s curiosity in aviation to give it a try! She says, “Being a female pilot is empowering and rewarding!”

Alice Reed

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“COCC and Leading Edge helped get me to where I am today. The instructors, working with management, always wanted the best. It’s the group of people you work with that makes a company great, and at Leading Edge the camaraderie within the organization was awesome. That is what I saw as a student and an instructor. I really liked my time there and enjoyed the fact that everyone was tracking the same goal. I would recommend anyone to go fly there because there is a distinct difference in the knowledge and ambition coming out of this school that I haven’t seen from other pilots from different schools.”

Andrew Camara

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“Leading Edge was where I started my aviation career. They gave me to tools necessary to instruct, fly in rural Alaska, and finally become an Airline pilot. Training was always fun and exciting, but at the same time challenging. As a veteran, it is unbelievable that in two years, I got a degree as well as all my fixed wing ratings at no out-of-pocket expense. I always think to myself, “Why doesn’t everyone do this?”

Clint Sheppard

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It was a really fun experience to be able to help ferry the MD500 across the country and fly through extensive airspace. It’s one of those things that, as an instructor, you always talk about and teach but not everyone has done it. I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity. It’s definitely something I look forward to passing on to another person one day. It was nice to fly one of the coolest helicopters around too, so I can’t complain!

Cody Davis

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“Leading Edge Flight Academy consistently produces pilots who stand out. They arrive with not only the necessary technical skillset but, more importantly, the right professional attitude. Having a strong relationship with Leading Edge makes my job significantly easier. I have found that pilots coming from their program possess a strong foundation that allows them to flourish in our fast-paced, dynamic environment. Attending and instructing at a reputable flight school like Leading Edge truly provides the essential baseline for a successful flying career. I highly recommend their program to any aspiring pilot or organization looking for top-tier talent.”

David Oest | Chief Pilot | Papillon Helicopters

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“Leading Edge Aviation has always been a very good source of well-trained professionals that work hard and make our customers very happy. TEMSCO currently employs several Leading Edge Aviation pilots who are at various stages of experience from 1st year tour pilots to contract pilots, and we are very happy with all of them.”

Eric Eichner | Chief Pilot | TEMSCO Helicopters

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“Training at Leading Edge Flight Academy was key to preparing me for a successful career flying helicopters in Alaska’s oil and gas industry. The school’s location in Bend gave me the opportunity to learn how to handle the fast-changing weather conditions typical of Alaska, with a strong focus on quick decision-making and situational awareness. The chiefs are always approachable and have their office doors open, creating a supportive learning environment. The instructors’ vast experience, combined with the school’s strong network of alumni and industry connections, played a major role in helping me land my job. I’m incredibly grateful for the skills and opportunities that Leading Edge Flight Academy provided, which set me up for success in such a demanding and dynamic environment.”