Meet The Team

Big Bear, CA

"I got the flying bug when I was 6 years old and saw my first 747 on a children's video about aviation. I have always loved the procedures, engineering, and technical aspects of flying and that every day's work is never the same. A true nerd.  My advice to students, keep pushing. Training can be challenging at times, but the goal can be reached. Never be afraid to ask other pilots and mentors for help along the way, and do not ever forget to have FUN! Who dares Wins!"

"I grew up in Belton, South Carolina, but now make my home in Prescott. 

My dad was a private pilot.  He got his license in 1954 and flew up until 2010.  He loved all things aviation and I guess I caught the bug from him when I was a small child.  I don't remember it, but he told me he took me up for a short flight on the anniversary of Lindbergh's transatlantic flight when I was 2.

I love when a student has an 'A-HA!' moment -- when they finally grasp a concept or maneuver you've been working with them on.  I remember having those moments as a student myself, and now to see if from the other side is a great feeling."

Kansas City, KS
"My dad always had an interest in aviation when I was a kid. It was probably when I was around 8 years old that I started asking him about flying, and he started taking me to Kansas City International to watch planes. I’ve wanted to be a pilot since then.
My advice to future students is to never let the passion go away. A career in aviation is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Work hard and most importantly, enjoy the journey."

Hilo, Hawai'i

"From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in the travel industry.  Having a mom who is a flight attendant, I thought that was what I was meant to be.  My parents sent me to a flight camp when I was in high school, clearly knowing before me that I was meant to be in the sky... I have been in love ever since.  My favorite part of instructing is seeing students fall in love with aviation just like I did.  I am reminded of how lucky I am and how special it is that I get to do what I love every day.  My greatest piece of advice for students, especially when training gets hard, is to remember how crazy it is that we get to do what some people dream about doing their entire lives."

"My name is Riley Thein and I was born in Prescott, AZ.  My interest in aviation began when I was little; my grandfather had a Cessna Skymaster and took me up for my first flight.  I started flight training when I was 18 years old at North-Aire.  I finished my ratings in December of 2020. My end goal is to fly corporate aviation. My advice to people who are interested in aviation is to go out and get a discovery flight and see what it's like." 

Soren Franklin comes from a family of accomplished aviators and has been around airplanes all his life. His earliest memories include flying his grandpa Zip’s 180 Cessna to the West Ranch to brand cattle, sitting on his dad’s lap in a Southwest Airlines 737, and watching his uncle Jimmy perform airshows in the Waco Mystery Ship. Soren first received his private pilot license back in 2005 while living in Lubbock, Texas, and studying under the tutelage of his maternal grandfather and airshow performer, Van White. 

After high school, Soren decided to break with family tradition and pursued other interests via the U.S. Army and local law enforcement. However, after over a decade spent playing with guns in the mud, Soren decided that maybe old Pops was right about that airline career. So he took Uncle Sam up on that gracious offer to pay for flight training and enrolled in the Yavapai College / North-Aire Aviation fixed-wing flight program.

Soren is proud to be able to instruct at the same flight school where he received the majority of his ratings. He truly loves instructing and considers it an honor to pass the knowledge he has been given on to new pilots. Soren hopes to be able to inspire the next generation of pilots the way his family inspired him to become a part of the aviation community.

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Santa Barbara, CA 

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I am very grateful to have grown up with both parents in the aviation industry. With my Dad being a pilot and my Mom a flight attendant, I immediately fell in love with flying and the ability to travel to new places and experience different cultures. That passion has grown as I’ve progressed through flight training and instructing. One of my favorite things about instructing is watching students succeed and understand concepts. It’s very gratifying for me as an instructor to guide a student into finding confidence and ultimately the fun in flying!  

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