Instruction
Flight instructors can help you get your private pilot certificate, an instrument rating, or an advanced rating like commercial or ATP. With many thousands of hours between them, these CFIs can help you become a safer and more proficient pilot.
Because Club instructors are not Club employees they set their own rates. Most CFIs generally charge between $50 and $60 per hour. Payment is made directly to the CFI, typically via cash or check, though some may take credit cards. Some instructors accept Venmo and/or PayPal.
Contact any of the instructors with questions or to schedule instruction time. The Flying club of Kansas City emphasizes safety from the ground to the air.
Not all instructors provide instruction in all club aircraft. Please refer to the chart below.
Please Note:
- NOT ALL INSTRUCTORS TEACH IN ALL PLANES
- NOT AL INSTRUCTORS WILL TAKE ON NEW STUDENTS
Trevor Henson
Trevor soloed at age 16, and had a CFI certificate by age 19. He is a 2014 graduate of the Kansas State Aviation Program. In his relatively short teaching career, he has totaled up more than 1,000 hours of instruction. When not teaching flying, Trevor flies a Phenom 100/300 for Air Share.
Reach Trevor at 309-258-6181 or by email
Kevin Kissinger
Kevin, the Club’s Chief CFI, started to fly in 1974 when he joined a flying club and learned to fly a Cessna 150 for fun. Kevin became an instructor in 2000 and recently earned his CFI-I rating. Kevin strives to provide pleasant and challenging training that enables pilots to reach their aviation goals.
Reach Kevin at 660-864-6136 or by email
Sarah Owens
In her “real life” Sarah is an Air Traffic Controller at the Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center. In 2007 she ventured to the other side of the scope and quickly attained commercial, instrument, and various flight instructor ratings. In addition to sharing her love of flying with her students, she shares her enthusiasm for flying through her involvement with Pilots ‘n’ Paws, Challenge Air, Women in Aviation, and Girls with Wings.
Reach Sarah at 913-271-4802 or by email
Chad Thompson
Chad found his passion for flight instruction while serving in the Air Force as C-130J and MQ-1B instructor and evaluator pilot. After separating from the military in 2022, his enthusiasm for flying naturally led him to GA flying with FCKC where he uses his CFII and CFMEI experience to help build confident, capable, and safety-minded aviators. He is a full-time Southwest Airlines first officer and a part-time Air Force Academy recruiter/mentor and lives in Overland Park with his wife and 4 kids.
Reach Chad at 724-462-4766 or by email
Steve Wynne
Steve is an instructor who believes in a holistic approach to learning and is passionate about getting people involved in aviation. Steve is a full time Garmin Avionics Support Specialist and a part time CFI-I with aviation mechanic experience. He truly believes that “Any day you can talk about airplanes, is a good day.” Steve is available on week days after 4pm and weekends for all training needs including high performance/complex endorsements, primary, and instrument training. He is qualified to teach and checkout in all airplanes in the FCKC fleet.
Reach Steve at 815-212-3531, facebook, or by email
Pete Parbel
Pete has been flying GA aircraft since 2002 and has been a military aircraft Navigator since 1999. He works part-time as a CFI with FCKC, a tow pilot with the Midwest Soaring Association, and as a Mission Pilot, Safety Officer and Ops Officer in the MOWG Civil Air Patrol. When he’s not in an airplane, he works as a Hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, MO
Reach Pete by email
Allison Miller
In 5 years of flying, Allison as acquired over 1200 flying hours and 600 hours of instruction time. She holds CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings Allison has a 100% pass rate on check rides for herself as well as her students. She is a full time instructor who enjoys flying for fun. She volunteers for both aviation and animal rescue endeavors in her spare time.
Reach Allison at 503-867-2963 or by email
Chris Hope
Chris Hope, began teaching in 1972. He holds an FAA Gold Seal Instructor rating, is a five-time Master CFI, and was named the FAA Flight Instructor of the Year for the Midwest region.
Reach Chris at 816-868-7655 or by email
Ed Young
Ed Young is an attorney with Jetlaw, LLC. His sole practice area is aviation law. He is a CFI/I and MEI. He served as the Director of Aviation for the State of Kansas and is a former Executive Director of the Aerospace Center for Excellence. He was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2019. He received an AOPA Distinguished CFI Award in 2018. His LinkedIn profile is available here: https://www.linkedin.
Reach Ed at 913-708-5970 or by email
Neal Sobba
Neal has been flying for over ten years. He has an A&P license and worked as a technician for Textron Aviation for 7 years. He received a Masters of Science in Aeronautics with a focus on Aviation Safety from Embry-Riddle in 2016. Neal is passionate about aviation and ensuring that his students receive the highest level of training.
Reach Neal at 316-680-9423
Katia Van Horn
Katia began flying at age 16 and joined Flying Club of Kansas City in June of 2023. Since completing her CFI, CFII and multiengine ratings, she has had many students successfully complete solo flights and check rides. Other than instructing, her passion in aviation is gliding. She completed several cross-country soaring flights and also earned her commercial glider rating last season. Katia is a full-time instructor and is available for private, instrument, and commercial training as well as flight reviews and club checkouts.
Reach Katia at 816-278-8505 or by email
Nick Blair
Nick has been around GA since he was kid and obtained his private at 17. He currently works full time as a Pilot with Airshare and on the side as a CFII with ATD Flight Systems and FCKC. He enjoys spreading his passion for aviation with others and strive to make a fun learning environment that incorporates knowledge of old and new technologies. In his spare time he likes to mix his passion of flying and animal rescue by volunteering for Pilots N Paws. He llives about 5 mins from LXT and is available for all types of instruction.
Reach Nick at 816-878-5501 or by email
Christos Levy
Christos began flying at a young age with his dad, a Part 135 owner out of Troy, MI. After obtaining his private at 17, he went on to study Aerospace Engineering at Purdue while also completing his CFI/CFII and MEI ratings. By day, Christos works at Garmin as an Aviation Systems Engineer but also has a passion for teaching. In addition to flight instructing, Christos is a part time educator teaching AP math and science courses and SAT/ACT prep. Christos is available for all types of training or flight reviews and checkouts.
Reach Christos at 586-344-8605 or by email
Benjamin Hug
Benjamin is a passionate aviator who earned his private pilot’s license in 2019 while still a senior in high school. He pursued his love for aviation further at Purdue University, where he graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering. Currently, Benjamin applies his skills at Garmin, focusing on UI/UX design for cutting-edge avionics. His journey into aviation began with flight simulation, igniting a lifelong passion for flying. Outside of aviation, Benjamin enjoys spending his free time playing music and playing soccer with friends, always bringing a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm to everything he does. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of safe pilots in the flying club.
Reach Benjamin at 917-941-4334 or by email
Matt Williams
Matt Williams First joined FCKC in 2019. In 2021 He became one of our Board Members as our Safety Officer and as a Plane Captain. He currently serves as the Club’s Maintenance officer. Matt is very active in the Flying Community. He is a Mission Pilot and Instructor for the Civil Air Patrol. Having Both AGI and IGI Ratings Matt has spent the last few years teaching Private Pilot Ground School at a Local Community College. Matt is also a Member of the KCFSDO FAAST team and conducts many seminars in the area regarding Flight Safety.
Reach Matt at 816-582-1766 or by email
Not all instructors provide all services in all planes. Please consult the table below before contacting an instructor.
= Yes
= Contact Instructor
| Student Training | Checkouts | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Instrument | Commercial | 172 | Archer | 182 | Saratoga | Debonair | Flight Review | |
| Trevor | |||||||||
| Kevin | |||||||||
| Sarah | |||||||||
| Chad | |||||||||
| Steve | |||||||||
| Peter | |||||||||
| Allison | |||||||||
| Chris | |||||||||
| Ed | |||||||||
| Neal | |||||||||
| Katia | |||||||||
| Nick | |||||||||
| Christos | |||||||||
| Benjamin | |||||||||
| Matt | |||||||||