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, 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, Ben has successfully led many pilots through a variety of ratings. Contact Ben Walton
	Janine Nunes Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI 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
	Mike Natoli Helena Branch Manager, Flight Instructor - CFI, CFII, MEI Mike started flying with Summit in 2006 where he completed his ratings and later joined the team as a flight instructor in 2007. After graduating from MSU Bozeman College of Business in 2009, he has moved to Helena and now operates the Helena satellite branch. Aside form flying, Mike also works side jobs as a photographer and enjoys spending free time snow skiing, mountain biking, motorcycle riding, and traveling. Contact Mike Natoli
	Dan Hoadley Flight Instructor - CFI, CFII, MEI Dan is a familiar face around Summit Aviation. Having achieved all of his ratings at Summit, he brings a lot of experience and knowledge to the team.
	Scott Ervin Flight Instructor - CFI, MEI Scott is originally from Klamath Falls, Oregon. While in Oregon, Scott obtained his Private Pilot's License in a Super Cub. Scott continued his training at Summit where he received his other ratings. Some of his hobbies include paragliding, fishing, camping, and riding his motorcycle. Contact Scott Ervin
	Matt Morley Flight Instructor: CFI, CFII, MEI Matt is from Minnesota and came out to Montana to attend MSU. He enjoys playing hockey, flying RC airplanes/helicopters, snowboarding, and hunting. Matt received his flight training right here at Summit and also graduated from the MSU COT Aviation Program. Contact Matt Morley
	Dugan Gravage Flight Instructor - CFI, CFII, MEI Dugan, a native of Livingston, received all of his ratings right here at Summit Aviation. Dugan has a degree in mechanical engineering technology and is a certified hang gliding instructor. His hobbies include fishing, skiing, golf, and of course, hang gliding. Contact Dugan Gravage
	Lance Clark Flight Instructor: CFI, CFII, MEI Lance attained all his flight ratings at Summit and is a graduate of the MSU Aviation program. He is also a 9-year member of the Army National Guard. Lance instructs at Summit and also visits Helena frequently for Blackhawk flight training with the Guard. His hobbies include hunting, hiking, and skiing. Contact Lance Clark
	Sam Steensland Flight Instructor, CFI CFII 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
	Amber Novak Flight Instructor - CFI Amber hails from Helena, Montana and enjoys hunting, quilting, and water sports (even though she doesn't know how to swim). She received her flight ratings right here at Summit and is a graduate of the MSU Aviation program. Contact Amber Novak
	Mike Schwahn Flight Instructor, CFI CFII Mike, a graduate of the MSU Aviation program, was born and raised right here in Belgrade. When he's not flying he enjoys hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and any outdoor activity. Contact Mike Schwahn
	Kristin Boyle Flight Instructor CFI Kristin, an 8-year resident of Big Sky, received all of her ratings at Summit. She enjoys hunting and snowboarding and or course, flying! Kristin was recently married to Dave Boyle and since old habits die hard, many of us will always call her "Kludt" (her former last name). Contact Kristin Boyle