Our Staff

Summit Aviation employs some of the best flight instructors available in the Northwest. All of our full-time flight instructors learned to fly in mountainous environments and have hours upon hours of experience teaching in Southwest Montana.

If you want the best flight instruction possible in the Northwest, fly with instructors who are extremely familiar and knowledgeable in the requirements and skills needed in this portion of the country!

	Ben Walton Flight Instructor CFI CFII MEI, Owner Owner, Ben Walton is a CFI, CFII, MEI, and a NAFI Master Flight Instructor. Also an instructor at Montana State University, Ben has delivered hundreds of lectures in aviation courses. Formerly a Forest Service, wildlife research, and charter pilot, Ben has accrued thousands of hours of low-level mountain flying. Over his career, he has successfully led many pilots through a variety of ratings. He is also a certified Aircraft Appraiser and is a member of the National Aircraft Appraisers Association. Contact Ben Walton
	Janine Nunes Chief Flight Instructor CFI CFII MEI, Gold Seal Janine joined Summit in November 2009, and comes to us from Kansas. Janine has been a flight instructor since 1999, and also has flight experience in commercial and corporate aviation. Most recently she was assistant chief instructor at Kansas State University. In her spare time Janine enjoys fishing, skiing, sailing, and snowshoeing. Contact Janine Nunes
	Sam Steensland Flight Instructor, CFI CFII MEI, Assistant Chief Instructor Sam earned all his ratings at Summit and is a graduate of the MSU-COT Aviation program. Sam first became interested in flying in Alaska when he worked as a heli-hiking guide. His hobbies include backcountry skiing, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. Contact Sam Steensland
	Mike Schwahn Flight Instructor, CFI CFII MEI, Assistant Chief Instructor Mike, a graduate of the MSU Aviation program, was raised right here in Belgrade. When he's not flying he enjoys hunting, fishing, snowboarding, and any other outdoor activity. Prior to flying, Mike participated in snowmobile racing and jumping for Arctic Cat. He still rides on occasion. Mike is currently teaching aviation courses for MSU and is waiting for the snow to fly! Written from FL270/TB LGT CHOP/IC MOD RIME/RM TKN Contact Mike Schwahn
	Randall Holliday Flight Instructor, CFI CFII MEI Randall received his ratings at Summit and is a graduate of the MSU Aviation program. Randall is also currently instructing two aviation courses at MSU. When he's not flying, Randall is either rehearsing or performing with his band, or cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Contact Randall Holliday
	James Schaberg Flight Instructor, CFI CFII, Gold Seal James received an aviation degree from Northwestern Michigan College where he also taught for two years. He has worked as a Cirrus Standardized Flight Instructor, a contract pilot for the Michigan DNR, and a Part 135 Captain. James' passion for aviation began in childhood and he loves nothing more than to share the joy of flight with others. When he's not flying, James is a filmmaker, a partner dance instructor, as well as a pianist. He loves the outdoors and is enthusiastic to call Bozeman his adopted new home. Contact James Schaberg
	Joe Bogen Flight Instructor, CFI MEI Born here in Bozeman, Joe has been watching planes take-off from Gallatin Field for 24 years. Since he was 10, he's had his sights set on flying commercial jets around the world. Joe loves pop music, and lives out that passion by singing with local acapella sensation "The Justin Beiber Backups." On a much more serious note, Joe has noticed that some students bring their instructors baked goods and fresh produce, and since he has time for neither, help a guy out, and bring him some banana bread. Contact Joe Bogen
	Kyle Fenn Flight Instructor, CFI CFII Kyle learned to fly in Renton WA, accomplishing the rest of his ratings here in Bozeman. A student of the MSU Aviation program, he has one year of school left to finish his bachelors degree. Kyle likes to fly fish, ride his mountain bike and motorcycle, he works at fedex, and has flown skydivers-making the jump once himself. Kyle, once a hot-shot ski racer, is now enjoying a quiet life after retiring from all the fame and paparazzi. Contact Kyle Fenn
	Nate Hillenbrand Flight Instructor, CFI CFII Nate was born in Willmar, Minnesota. He was famously quoted at the age of two on KARE 11 news after the Pinky Nelson space walk as saying "You can't go to the moon if you're not an astronaut." How incredibly insightful. After this epiphany he decided the moon was overrated and decided that maybe just airplanes would be cool. He went to school at SDSU in South Dakota for a year and then felt the call of adventure and moved to Montana. Nate graduated from Rocky Mountain College with a Major in Aeronautical Science and Aviation Management. He spent last summer in Alaska flying for Frontier Flying Service as a First Officer in the Short Brothers SD3-30. After that very enjoyable and incredible experience he moved to one of his favorite places on earth, Bozeman, Montana. Nate loves the atmosphere at Summit Aviation as well as the Bozeman area and all it has to offer including downhill skiing, hunting, fishing, mountain biking and everything else. Contact Nate Hillenbrand
	Mick Seemann Flight Instructor, CFI MEI Contact Mick Seemann