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.

​Hello, my name is Madelyn Mitchell. I started my flight journey in Stevensville, MT working on my Private Pilot back in 2019. Since then, I’ve flown all of the country as a student, instructor, and fire reconnaissance. In January 2022, I became a flight instructor and have been sharing my passion for aviation with other pilots through instruction. When I’m not teaching, I work as an aerial fire detection and reconnaissance pilot for Northern Wings Aviation. Teaching and aerial firefighting are my two greatest passions in aviation, and I’m so lucky to be able to do both.  But outside of aviation, I can be found enjoying SW Montana with my husband, our dogs, and our livestock.

Hello, My name is Sean DePaso.  I was born and raised in Livingston MT.  I started my aviation career in Bozeman Mt in 2018 by attending Summit Aviation.  I graduated with my Associates Degree in Aviation and took up flight instruction in various parts of the state. I have flown across Montana in a variety of aircraft from Diamond to Cessna. In my free time I have been exploring the backcountry of Montana in my J-3 Cub.