Meet Our Flight Instructors

Hi, my name is J. R. Hansen.  I was born and raised in Butte, MT.  I started my flying career by earning my Private Pilot License in Butte while still in high school.  I went to the University of Washington on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1993.  I was selected for Navy Flight School, and I was designated a Naval Aviator in 1996.  I spent 20 years on active duty in the Navy flying F/A-18 Hornets.  I completed multiple combat deployments as a carrier-based F/A-18 pilot, I was a Test Pilot, TOPGUN Adversary Instructor, and F/A-18 squadron Commanding Officer.  I retired from the Navy in 2013 and moved home to Butte, MT.  I currently work as a Captain for a major airline based in Denver, CO.  I have been actively instructing part-time in Cessnas for over 12 years.  I work with Butte Aviation as a contract CFI and serve as the Chief Flight Instructor.  I also operate High Alpha Aviation, LLC which provides Upset Prevention and Recovery Training in an E33C Aerobatic Bonanza.  I enjoy sharing my love of aviation with others and teaching primary and advanced flight students.

Hi, my name is Jake Strong and I’m from Boise, Idaho. Before transitioning to the aviation industry, I attended Boise State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. I wanted to chase my dream, so I’ve spent the last two years working through my ratings as private pilot, instrument, commercial, CFI, and CFII. I attended Silverhawk Aviation Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. I’m currently applying this knowledge in my role as the Lead Flight Instructor and Social Media Contributor where I’m responsible for flight instruction and promoting social media. informative to keep visitors engaged.