Rainier Flight Monthly Newsletter

In the last few years, there has been a lot of media controversy surrounding a commercial pilot shortage. Regardless what you have read, I can tell you the shortage is very real. For years the cost of training and obtaining the hours required to fly at a 121 airline has risen while wages and benefits have been stagnant. Prospective pilots have looked at the cost versus reward and rightfully found it just does not pencil out.

However, times are changing. Supply and demand are catching up with the airlines and they are finding there are simply not enough applicants to fill the seats in jets and maintain a reliable schedule. Most regional airlines are offering signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement and other benefits in an increasingly competitive environment. It remains to be seen how this cycle will affect the airline business model but if you or someone you know is interested in a commercial career I highly recommend you attend the Career Fair at the NW Aviation Trade Show in Puyallup on Friday, February 24th.

Representatives from most regional airlines will be in attendance as well as some of the majors so you can get your questions answered directly from the source. Stop by my seminars covering training options and regional airlines or check out the variety of presentations including airport management, military and maintenance career topics. This is a great opportunity to network and see if a career in aviation is right for you.

Don't forget to come back for the Trade Show on the 25th and 26th to check out hundreds of vendors and service providers. Educational seminars will be presented throughout the weekend as well as plenty of fun, exciting stuff to check out. Stop by the Rainier Flight Service booth to say hi!

Gordon Alvord

New Aircraft at Rainier Flight!

If you haven't seen her yet, come and check out our latest addition: N444VW! This 2016 Cessna 172 is packed with all the bells and whistles including synthetic vision and AOA indicator.

Around the end of March we will take delivery of another aircraft. We are very excited to be the first customer in Puget Sound with this phenomenal machine! What do you think it might be?

New Staff

Mike Beckwith - Instructor

It may sound a little cliche, but I've never wanted to be anything other than a pilot. Some of my earliest memories are building Lego airplanes or stopping to stare up at the sky as planes passed overhead. I graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ with the intent of becoming a flight instructor and airline pilot as soon as possible, but life is funny sometimes. I accepted a job with Lockheed Martin Flight service as a Weather Briefer and moved to the other side of the country. It would be nearly 5 years before I flew again. When a friend and fellow Briefer offered to take me up for a flight review and a checkout in a Cessna, I jumped at the chance. It felt so great to be flying again. My wife and I put together a plan that allowed me to pursue my Flight Instructor Certificate. Life got funny again, and it would take a few more years to do all the ground and flight work, but by January of 2016, I had achieved my CFI and CFII certificate. We decided that it was a good time to follow the dream of flying for a living again.

I had always had a desire to live in the Pacific Northwest. Through some research and a few recommendations, I found Rainier Flight Service and joined their team of instructors. My years as a Weather Briefer have left me with some unique insights to weather and how it impacts flight training (as well as a peek behind the curtain of the ATC world) and I love passing that knowledge along to fellow pilots and students.

If you've read this far, I'll guess you've spent your fair share of time gazing at the sky when no one else even noticed what was up there. So, if you're interested in taking your first discovery flight, starting a journey toward commercial aviation, or just haven't flown in a few years, I understand where you're coming from. Life will never stop getting funny. Never stop looking up.

Jamal Zaher - Instructor

Like most others, I've always dreamed about becoming a pilot since I was a kid. Growing up in Texas, I would drive 45 minutes to DFW airport immediately after high-school/college to watch airplanes take off and land while studying and doing homework. The day I turned 18, I accepted a job as a ramp agent out of SeaTac Airport just to surround myself with my passion for aviation. It was a 4 hour daily commute to work but it was worth it to be around all the airplanes and pilots. Soon after, I was lucky enough to join Alaska Airlines and work primarily in their Pilot Scheduling Operations to learn as much as I can about my future career. Unfortunately I had to leave the airline earlier this year to focus on finishing up my pilot ratings. I currently attend Embry-Riddle to pursue my Bachelor's of Science in Aeronautics. As a flight instructor at Rainier Flight Service, I look forward to meeting you, sharing my passion for aviation and giving you the best flight experience possible.

In my free time, I like to travel, plane spot, hike and do anything aviation related.

Jamie Hobstetter - Instructor

Aviation has always been something I wanted to get into as a child because my grandfather and two uncles either flew in the military or professionally. I'm the only family member of my generation to pass on the legacy! I feel fortunate to be a pilot because it has become my greatest hobby. My previous job had me traveling to Asia for a few months. When I came back to the States after traveling for work, I decided to pursue my dream career of aviation and I couldn't be happier. Now that I'm an instructor, I look forward to sharing my passion of aviation with you! Let's go flying!!

I grew up in Michigan and am a huge Detroit Lions fan and I also love motorcycles.

Shane Crites- Instructor

I've lived in the Pacific Northwest for the majority of my life and like many pilots before me, I caught the aviation bug at an early age. I started flying after high school and even to this day I still get the same feeling of joy as I did on my first flight. What drew me to flight instructing is the ability to share that same incredible feeling with others and experience the excitement of watching my students achieve their own aviation milestones. I look forward to seeing you at RFS and helping you achieve your dreams of flight!

When I am not at the airport, I enjoy being outdoors and mountain biking.

Upcoming Events

VFR Workshop - Saturday, February 11 at 10am-12pm

Join fellow pilots in an open forum dedicated to VFR flying. Ask questions and share your experiences in a relaxed, social setting. This monthly 2-hour forum is moderated by a Rainier Flight Instructor to ensure accurate information and interpretation of regulations, policies and safety. This month's topic is Aerodynamics.

IFR Workshop - Saturday, February 18 at 10am-12pm

Join fellow pilots in an open forum dedicated to IFR flying. Ask questions and share your experiences in a relaxed, social setting. This monthly 2-hour forum is moderated by a Rainier Flight Instructor to ensure accurate information and interpretation of regulations, policies and safety. This month's topic is Aeromedical Factors.

Meet an FAA Examiner Seminar - Saturday, March 4 at 10am-12pm

Nervous about your checkride? Meet an FAA examiner and take the mystery out of your exam. Marie Kellermann, DPE, will explain what you can do to ensure the checkride goes smoothly and stress free. Bring questions for Q&A at the end. Please RSVP to amy@rainierflight.com.

FAASTeam CFI Forum - Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30pm

Rainier Flight Service proudly supports this quarterly open forum for area CFIs put together by the FAAST Safety Team. This is a great opportunity for instructors to share stories and promote safety with other area CFIs. You don't have to be an instructor to join the discussion - all are welcome!

Achievements