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Meet The Instructors
Melissa Boan
CFI, CFII, Gold Seal, Chief Flight Instructor
Melissa grew up in Virginia and has also lived in Germany and California. After being a stay at home mom for 7 years she decided to make her dream of flight a reality.
It took her 16 months to go from Private, Instrument, Commercial, and then CFI at Blue Ridge Aviation.
She’s excited to be part of the school where she learned and is ready to share her love of flying with new and seasoned pilots.
Zack Reese
CFI, CFII
Zack is from Harrisonburg, VA and started his flight training in 2016. After returning to his passion in 2022, he earned all his ratings in just shy of 2 years at Blue Ridge Aviation. When he is not flying, he enjoys competing in disc golf tournaments and attending sporting events.
Tanner Runion
CFI, CFII
After taking his first ever flight in an Aeronca Champion over Ocean City, Maryland in 2013, Tanner finally decided to pursue his passion of flying in 2021 with Blue Ridge Aviation and has been here ever since.
He loves helping aspiring pilots achieve their goals and dreams. Outside of his passion for aviation, Tanner finds enjoyment in cars, exploring national parks, snowboarding, and photography.
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Ethan Barnhart
CFI, CFII
Ethan grew up locally in Grottoes, Virginia. His love for flying started as a child when he took an international trip, he knew from then that he wanted to be a pilot. Ethan started his flight training at Averett University, where he graduated with two degrees; A Bachelors in Aeronautics: Flight Operations, and a Bachelors in Aeronautics: Aviation Business. He obtained his flight ratings up to Commercial Multi-Engine Airplane at Averett University, and did his CFI & CFII at Blue Ridge Aviation. Ethan also played college football for two years at Averett University so he is a big football fan. Outside of flying, Ethan loves to travel, hike, kayak, and golf.
Lucas Myers
CFI, CFII
Lucas started his flight training at Averett University, where he graduated with a Bachelors in Aerospace Management: Fight Operations. He is a Commercial Multi-Engine pilot and obtained his CFI & CFII at Blue Ridge Aviation. Lucas played collegiate basketball, he loves all sports, fishing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family. He is excited to share his aeronautical knowledge and help future pilots accomplish their dreams.
Nick Ruddle
CFI, CFII
Nick grew up in Warrenton, Virginia, where he took his first life-changing flight at the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport at just 15 years old. After high school, he moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia, and began his flight training in January of 2023. Completing all of his training at Blue Ridge Aviation, Nick has fully embraced the culture and close-knit community that defines both SHD and the Blue Ridge Aviation family.
Now a Certified Flight Instructor, Nick is excited to share his passion for aviation and help others achieve their flying goals.
Outside the cockpit, Nick enjoys off-roading, snowboarding, and just about anything that gets him outdoors
Sonet Gandhi
CFI
Sonet did his entire flight training at Blue Ridge Aviation (Private, Instrument, Commercial and CFI).
He received his Bachelors at Bridgewater College in Business Administration and played for their Men's Tennis team (4 Years)
Sonet loves traveling and trying new foods and enjoys playing tennis during summer and snowboarding during the winter.
Madison Donnenwirth
Taylor Myers
CFI
After graduating from East Carolina University, Madison discovered her passion for aviation while working as a flight attendant for Allegiant Airlines. It only took one discovery flight for her to realize she belonged at the controls, not in the cabin. She began her flight training in Asheville, North Carolina, and later relocated to the Shenandoah Valley to complete all of her ratings at Blue Ridge Aviation. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of aviators and serves as Chapter Chair of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of The Ninety-Nines, where she helps grow community and leadership opportunities for women in aviation. When she’s not in the cockpit, Madison enjoys staying active, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her dog, Mocha.
CFI
Taylor is from Harrisonburg, VA and started flight training in 2022. She achieved all of her ratings through Blue Ridge Aviation. She is also a student at James Madison University and on the Track and Cross Country team. Outside of aviation Taylor enjoys spending time with family, running, and watching sports.
Former Instructors
Colton Landes
Colton Landes embarked on the next stage of his career with CommuteAir after attaining his hours as an instructor with us at Blue Ridge Aviation.​
Hannah Freepons
Hannah grew up in the Shenandoah Valley where she did her flight training befor embarking on a career that took her to Washington State. She is an accomplished Captain for Skywest Airlines
Corey Philbrook
Corey joined our team as a Flight Instructor where he brought his positive attitude and a love for aviation to our school. He was a great member of our team before moving onto a career as a pilot with Spirit Airlines
Chris Miller
Chris Miller instructed with us for several years before going onto an airline career with Mesa Airlines which took him and his family up to Northern Virginia!
Cindy Ferek
Cindy is a highly dedicated instructor who had a deep passion for teaching and aviation as she started on her second career with us. After finishing training, she instructed with us, which was followed by a fulfilling career with ABX, the third largest Air Express company in the United States.
Daniel Oleyar
Daniel achieved all of his ratings then instructed for us for several years. Afterwards, he flew a private jet for a company in North Carolina. He is now a pilot for the US Government
Kendyll Curry
Kendyll instructed with us for 2 years and is now a captain for a private air charter company in the Bahamas.
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