Rhett has earned many of his ratings under the watchful eye of IA’s leader, Bob Stedman, before leaving Denver for new adventures. When we learned he was returning to Colorado, we did everything we could to persuade him to join us and take the pledge to do things “the IA way.” Fortunately, he accepted our offer – and while he was getting used to our way, he taught us a few tricks of his own. We are very pleased to have Rhett’s years and breadth of experience available to us and to IA clients.

Colin fell in love with aviation at the age of 13 when his parents gifted him a discovery flight in Scottsdale, Arizona. In the summer of 2011, Colin traveled to Independence Aviation to start his aviation career. He got his Private Pilot Certificate in just 4 weeks! After several years as an IA customer, Colin became one of IA’s instructors, and is an accomplished photographer and videographer.

Matthew’s love for flying began at a young age and eventually led to his first lesson at age 16. He went on to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ in 2010 as an Aeronautics major with a Business Administration and Meteorology minor. He started working for Independence Aviation right out the gate, but was recruited by Cirrus Aircraft for a number of years before coming back to IA!

Bob’s first flight experience occurred at 10 years of age when riding in a DC-3 in Eastern Colorado. With decades and thousands of hours of flying experience, Bob is ATP rated in fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. His background includes military, charter, corporate, air ambulance and flight instruction as well as sales. He retired from the Wyoming Army National Guard in 2005 as a CWO4 and Master Aviator. Bob is also a NAAA certified appraiser helping clients value their aircraft.

Masten has been an instructor since the early 1990s. He brings to the classroom significant turbine and charter experience garnered from his time with one of the leading jet charter operations in the Rocky Mountain region. His teaching skills and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of aviation are widely respected throughout the Centennial Airport community, as well as by the fortunate IA students he mentors.

Brendon first started flying after graduating college with a degree in criminal justice and decided to change career paths. After a discovery flight in a Cirrus SR22 at a small airport outside his home town of Philadelphia, he knew right away it was a goal and lifestyle he wanted to pursue. Training and receiving all his ratings in Cirrus aircraft and multi engines on the east coast, a change of scenery and the challenge of mountain flying brought him to Denver to join the IA team.

Vivien comes to us after retiring from the US Air Force after over 20 years of service. She graduated from the US Air Force Academy and then flew and trained pilots in 6 different aircraft ranging from trainers to Special Operations. With a passion for flying and instructing, she brings a fresh perspective to IA as she enters into GA as an experienced Cirrus instructor.

Ron’s desire to fly started at the age of 6. Out of college, even though he had his Private Pilot License, he spent 22 years as an Electrical Designer in the industrial fields. It wasn’t until he was 47 that he finally made the plunge to change careers into aviation and started instructing in 1997. In 2001, he joined SkyWest and retired as a captain in 2018.