Phone: (269) 964.9336 Fax: (269) 964.4676 steve.jones@wmich.edu | Steve JonesInterim Associate Dean & Managing Director of OperationsSteve graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968 with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics. He spent the next twenty years as a designated Naval Aviator flying a variety of jet aircraft including the A-7 and A-4. Over 7 tours of duty that ranged from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Japan, he amassed over 4,200 flight hours and 614 arrested landings aboard 3 different aircraft carriers. Steve also earned an M.A. degree from Central Michigan University in Management and Personnel Supervision and he is a graduate of the Squadron Safety Officer Course at the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey CA. Upon retirement from the Navy and after a brief stint with Trans World Airways, Steve was hired by United Airlines in 1989. He is type rated in the B737, B757, B767 and DC-10. Steve joined United's flight management ranks in 1997, serving the Anchorage, Chicago and Miami domiciles. After retiring from United in 2003 with over 5,000 additional flight hours, Steve joined Western Michigan's College of Aviation in September 2003 as the Director of Safety and Simulations. Steve is married to the former Judith Brandt, has 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. |
Phone: (269) 964.4581 Fax: (269) 964.9150 david.schrader@wmich.edu | David SchraderStandards and Quality InstructorDave Schrader graduated from Northwestern Michigan College in 1988. Dave currently serves as the Head of Standards ensuring the instructor staff maintains flight standards for the college's fleet of aircraft. Prior to Standards Dave served as the colleges assistant chief flight instructor specializing in aerobatic and seaplane training. When hired in 1998 Dave was an instructor for the recurrent flight training and continuing education program teaching aerobatics and IFR refreshers courses. Dave came to the college with airline experience starting with Drummond Island Air flying Navajos and Twin Otters, then with United Express flying Beech 1900's. Dave holds an ATP ME and a Commercial SES along with Gold Seal CFI, CFII, MEI and IGI certificates. Dave has been a designated Master Flight Instructor by the NAFI organization since 2001. |
Phone: (269) 964.4029 Fax: (269) 964-6473 thomas.grossman@wmich.edu | Thomas GrossmanChief Flight InstructorTom Grossman graduated from Kent State University in 1982 with a BS degree in Aerospace Flight Technology and in 1991 with an MA degree in the field of Technology Education. Tom holds an ATP single engine and multi engine pilot certificate, instrument and multi engine flight instructor certificate, and an advanced and instrument ground instructor certificate. He served as a FAA aviation safety counselor from 1991 to 1999, and a FAA designated pilot examiner from 1993 to 1999 and was designated a Master Flight Instructor by the NAFI organization in July, 2001. Tom joined Western Michigan University's College of Aviation in January 1999. With over 20 years experience in collegiate flight education, Tom serves the University as the Chief Flight Instructor. |
Phone: (269) 964.4028 Fax: (269) 964-6473 robert.bunday@wmich.edu | Robert BundayProgram ManagerRob joined WMU in 1998 as a flight instructor in the International Pilot Training Center. Since his initial assignment as an instructor, he has served in a variety of capacities and now holds the position of Program manager and Assistant Chief Flight Instructor. Prior to joining WMU, he flew a turboprop as Captain/Instructor Pilot under part 135 and later as a first officer for a regional airline operating under part 121. His qualifications include an ATP certificate as well as CFI/CFII/MEI instructor certificates. Additionally, he has a Bachelor's degree from WMU and serves as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the FAA. |
Phone: (269) 964.4028 Fax: (269) 964-6473 thomas.mclaughlin@wmich.edu | Thomas McLaughlinProgram ManagerTom McLaughlin graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Sciences. Tom continued his education whilst employed with WMU and earned a Master of Arts degree in Career and Technical Education in 1998. He started his aviation career in the US Navy as a Crew Chief/Rescue Swimmer aboard Sikorsky H-3s. The primary flight mission included performing mountain and sea rescues. Tom has served WMU in a variety of capacities including Flight Instructor, Program Coordinator, International Flight Instructor, and his present position of Program Manager. |
Phone: (269) 964-4289 Fax: (269) 964-6473 glen.langworthy@wmich.edu | Glen LangworthyLead Flight InstructorGlen “Pat” Langworthy joined the college as a Faculty Specialist, effective January 18, 2006. Pat received a Master of Arts degree in Career and Technical Education from WMU in 1997, and a Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Technology and Flight Training from Western in 1983. He is an FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor for instrument, single engine, and multi-engine airplane ratings and has over 11,000 hrs as an instructor. In addition, Pat is certified as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic and an Instrument Ground Instructor. Prior to this appointment, he held positions as a Sky Bronco Flying Club instructor / Precision Flight Team Coach at WMU from 1982 to1983, a charter pilot and dispatcher at KAL-AERO Inc., a first officer for Simmons Airlines, a charter pilot for Aviation Specialists, Inc, Chief pilot for Hoekstra Meat and Amerifirst Financial companies, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor for Battle Creek Aviation and an FAA/CAA Certified Flight Instructor for the International Pilot Training Center at WMU from 1998 to2003. Pat holds numerous professional association memberships, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Alpha Eta Rho, and the National Association of Flight Instructors. He has received the college's Top Dog Flight Instructor award nine times since 2004. |
Phone: (269) 964.7706 Fax: (269) 964-6473 dominic.nicolai@wmich.edu | Dominic NicolaiLead Flight InstructorDominic is a 1993 graduate of the WMU Aviation Flight Science curriculum and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Career and Technical Education from WMU in 1998. Dominic started his instructing career at WMU, progressing from being a part-time instructor, to a high school outreach coordinator, to a lead flight instructor. In addition to being a WMU flight instructor, he also served the Grand Rapids FSDO area as an Aviation Safety Counselor. Currently he is dual qualified to train pilots for either FAA or JAA (Joint Aviation Authority) certification. Dominic also teaches pilot ground schools, serves as the AAUP union representative and is developing a computer based training program for use in pilot ground schools. Other than flying, Dominic enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. |
Phone: (269) 964.7706 Fax: (269) 964-6473 ryan.seiler@wmich.edu | Ryan SeilerLead Flight InstructorRyan graduated from Western Michigan University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology and Operations. After graduation, he was employed by Kal-Aero, Inc. in Kalamazoo working in flight operations. Ryan joined the College of Aviation staff in May 1997 as the Supervisor of Flight Operations managing the aircraft dispatch office. In January 2001, he accepted his present position as a lead flight instructor. Ryan provides primary through advanced flight instruction including unusual attitude/emergency maneuver training in the Extra 300L and serves as the coordinator for the Seaplane Training Program at WMU. He is also designated as a FAR 141 check instructor performing progress and end of course stage checks. In March 2003, Ryan was designated as a Master Flight Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors organization. Ryan is a past competitor, team captain, head coach, and advisor for the College of Aviation's flight team. He now volunteers his time to serve as a judge at regional and national flight team competitions. Ryan has served as a Battle Creek Airshow Committee Co-Chair since 1998 and will take over Airboss duties for the 2004 airshow. |
Phone: (269) 964.7282 Fax: (269) 964-6473 s.tkachuk@wmich.edu | Steve TkachukLead Flight InstructorSteve Tkachuk received a bachelor's degree in aviation flight science from Western Michigan University in 2002. He has held numerous positions with the college since 2000, including flight dispatcher, certified flight instructor, and part-time instructor. Additionally, while instructing at WMU, Steve achieved his Gold Seal flight instructor certificate. He also was appointed as a Master Flight Instructor by NAFI (National Association of Flight Instructors) in February of 2003. Steve was appointed a Faculty Specialist in the college, effective January 18, 2006. In this position, he serves as a full-time lead flight instructor, providing flight, simulator (FTD), and ground instruction to aviation flight students. Additionally, Steve continues to serve as assistant coach for the award-winning Sky Broncos Precision Flight Team. He also serves as a FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, and holds membership in various professional associations, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and Alpha Eta Rho. Finally, Steve is coaching the college-sponsored AHL hockey team, the Prop Jocks. |
Phone: (269) 964.7706 Fax: (269) 964-6473 james.whittles@wmich.edu | James WhittlesLead Flight InstructorJames Whittles graduated from Indiana State University in 1977 with a BS in Business Administration and is now beginning a Master degree at WMU in Educational Technology. Jim holds a commercial single engine and multi-engine pilot certificate, Gold Seal instrument and multi-engine flight instructor certificate, and an advanced and instrument ground instructor certificate. He began flight instructing in 1992 and operated a flight school in Holland Michigan for 10 years. Jim joined the College of Aviation at WMU in January of 2001 as a lead flight instructor. He was designated a Master Flight Instructor by the NAFI organization in May of 2002. He currently teaches the instrument ground school, works with initial CFI candidates, and gives unusual attitude and spin training in the Extra 300L. Jim is a coach for the precision flight team. |
Phone: (269) 964.7706 Fax: (269) 964-6473 stephen.hasenick@wmich.edu | Stephen HasenickLead Flight InstructorStephen joined Western Michigan University's College of Aviation in 1999. He graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (Statistics) in 1987. His background includes serving as a part 121 first officer for United Express operating a turboprop out of O'Hare. Before joining WMU Stephen earned Gold Seal CFI/CFII/MEI flight instructor certificate and an advanced and instrument ground instructor certificate. He started up a FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approval for and operated a single pilot 135 charter operations. He received approval for a FAA approved 141-flight school and than served as Chief Flight Instructor. After joining WMU Stephen received certification to train pilots at WMU for JAA (Joint Aviation Authority) certification. Stephen as been the lead on development and certification of the FAA 141 flight curriculum combining FAA (U.S.) and JAA (European) methods for WMU Certified Accelerated Pilot Training - CAPT program and the new 141 Professional Flight Program. He currently serves as Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, maintains WMU 141 Flight Curriculum, and trains pilots for FAA licenses. |
Phone: Fax: timothy.broadwater@wmich.edu | Timothy BroadwaterLead Flight InstructorTim started flying in 1996 at the Willow Run airport. He began working at WMU in 2000 as a dispatcher and graduated from WMU in December 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Flight Science. Tim became a flight instructor at WMU in January 2002 and has taught private, instrument, and commercial single and multi-engine pilots and CFI students. In October 2007 he became a Faculty Specialist and continues to work with CFI students, updating the CFI syllabus, and doing Progress and Stage checks. |
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