(Photo above: (L-R) Pro Air graduates Hogan McDonald, Grant Bever & Jill Sweeney | courtesy of Professional Air)
Now is an ideal time to learn how to fly. And it’s an even better time to pursue a career in aviation. The worldwide shortage of qualified pilots is driving salaries and benefits to unprecedented levels. And Central Oregon offers an ideal location to pursue your flight training dreams, with clear skies, minimal traffic, and a supportive general aviation community.
Since 1986, Professional Air has been Central Oregon’s premier aviation services provider, offering flight training, aircraft maintenance, avionics, fuel, charter, rental cars and concierge services for pilots based at or visiting the Bend Airport reports Gwil Evans, president and general manager for Professional Air.
“During those 30 years, Professional Air has established an exceptional reputation for quality, especially in the caliber of professional pilots it produces,” says Evans. The majority of its flight instructors came through its program, learning their craft in-house and steadily acquiring their ratings and experience in pursuit of their aviation goals. Some started in high school, pumping gas and cleaning windscreens just to be at the airport. Others were mechanics, who transitioned from servicing aircraft to flying them. But most came to Professional Air with no experience, just a profound desire to fly.
Some students simply want to know how to land a plane in case of an emergency. Others aspire to become Boeing 787 captains.
“Regardless of their priorities, Professional Air offers the right programs, facilities, aircraft and instructors, providing customized training tailored to the specific needs of each student,” offers Evans.
Here are a few Professional Air success stories, graduates pursuing their dreams and flying high.
Hogan McDonald – Local Boy ‘Just Doing It’
Hogan McDonald always had his eyes pointed toward the sky. A 2006 graduate of Mountain View High School, Hogan started his aviation career when he was 18 as a line service rep at Professional Air. He enrolled in COCC’s Aviation Program and began his flight training. After graduating, Professional Air quickly hired him as a flight instructor. He was then promoted to Charter Pilot, flying the company’s Cessna Conquest twin turbine charter aircraft. In 2012, Hogan was recruited by Dynamic Aviation to fly their King Air and Dash-8 turboprop aircraft. Based in Afghanistan, Hogan supported ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance) operations. In October 2015, Hogan returned home to Oregon when he was hired by the Nike Flight Department in Hillsboro as a Captain Qualified – First Officer, flying their Gulfstream G550.
“Pro Air let me explore aviation as a career – and then provided me with the skills and experience to make those dreams come true,” says McDonald.
Grant Bever – Captain for Kings of Asia
After graduating from Embry Riddle University, Grant Bever spent four years in the Marine Corps, prior to joining Professional Air as a flight instructor. Grant moved through the ranks quickly and was promoted to Charter Pilot, flying the company’s Beechjet 400 and Cessna Conquest twin turbine charter aircraft. After four years with Professional Air, Grant was also recruited by Dynamic Aviation to support its ISR operations in Afghanistan. He flew King Air and Dash-8 turboprops for over three years, before being hired by PrimeJet International in Singapore as First Officer and Captain of their Gulfstream G550 and G450 aircraft. Last year, Grant was hired by BAA (Business Aviation Asia) as Captain of their Gulfstream G550, based in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China, flying royal families and other notables throughout Asia.
Jill Sweeney – Woman Aviator Soaring High
When Jill Sweeney first moved to Bend, she planned to become a professional skier. After a knee injury caused her to consider other options, she enrolled in COCC’s nursing program. But it was during a flight in a Diamond DA-20 aircraft that Jill found her true passion, transferring immediately into the Aviation Program. She began her flight training at Professional Air, but needed to work full-time to pay for her tuition and training. It took Jill longer to complete her ratings, but the Pro Air team worked with her to accommodate her schedule. In 2013, after her graduation from COCC, Pro Air hired Jill as a flight instructor, where she quickly established herself as a rising star. Last summer, after teaching for two years, Jill was hired by Sky West Airlines as First Officer, flying CRJ 200, 700, and 900 regional jets, based out of Salt Lake City. “Professional Air has supported my career ever step of the way, first as a student and then as an instructor. Their constant encouragement, support and flexibility have really helped me achieve my goals,” says Sweeney.
Gwil Evans
Professional Air
President and General Manager
541-388-0019
Gwil@ProfessionalAir.com
www.ProfessionalAir.com
