540-246-9407
Blue Ridge Aviation
Personalized Flight Instruction &
Aircraft Rentals
51 Aviation Circle, Suite 110
Weyers Cave, VA 24486
Meet The Instructors
Alex Kelley
CFI, CFII, MEI
Alex grew up in Glen Allen, Virginia and first moved to the Harrisonburg area in 2010 to attend James Madison University. Upon graduating in 2014 with a degree in history he decided to attend flight school. After completing flight school in 2015 he came back to Harrisonburg to be a flight instructor at Blue Ridge Aviation and has been here ever since. When Alex isn’t flying he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two cats, Maddie and Millie, and two dogs, Teddy and Callie.
Colton Landes
CFI
I am a Shenandoah Valley native, from nearby Mount Crawford, VA. I have enjoyed living in the Valley for most of my life. I graduated from Liberty University in 2021 with a degree in Aeronautics. While working towards my degree, I completed my private pilot, instrument, and commercial multi-engine training through Liberty’s aviation program. In 2020, I returned home and began my training with Blue Ridge Aviation to earn my flight instructor certificate. I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with flight students while also becoming a better pilot myself. In my free time I enjoy hiking, skiing, and motorsports.
Jason O'Mahony
CFI
I grew up in Long Island, NY and moved my family to Virginia back in 2006. As a teenager, I was privileged to begin basic flight training through the public school system and achieved my solo flight before I was old enough to get my Driver's License. I've been flying with Blue Ridge Aviation since 2019, earning my Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial and CFI ratings here. I bring over 20 years of corporate training experience to the role of CFI and I'm living proof that you are never too old or too young to start flight training. When my head isn't in the clouds, I'm spending time with my wife and 7 children.
Cindy Ferek
CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Gold Seal Instructor
In 2006, Cindy rode her bicycle 3,700 miles across the USA in 42 days starting in San Francisco and arriving at the Pentagon. She loves spending time outdoors with her husband, Tony, and was also awarded the National Physical Education Teacher title in 2012. Cindy brings the same dedication to her flight instruction, with over 3,000 hours total time, and over 2,400 hours of instructing. She loves using her teaching experience to help students become the safest pilots in the industry.
Kenneth Todd
CFI, CFII
Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Kenneth has been intrigued by aviation since childhood. After
completing his Private Pilot Certificate through Blue Ridge Aviation in 2017, Kenneth began a quest to
build aviation ratings and experience, both as a pilot and mechanic. Kenneth is a graduate of Liberty
University, (Bachelors Degree: Aviation Maintenance Management 2020), and also holds ratings as an
A&P IA mechanic. For fun, Kenneth enjoys sports, outdoor activities, and cruising around the country in
his Cessna 150.
Nick Kanode
CFI
I grew up in Weyers Cave and am attending Liberty University for a degree in Aeronautics and Business. I did my private and instructor training here at Blue Ridge Aviation and my instrument and commercial training at Liberty. In my free time, I enjoy anything outdoors from soccer to kayaking.
Colton Harmon
CFI
Colton started training with Blue Ridge Aviation and completed all of his ratings within 14 months before joining our team as a CFI. Prior to his flight training he was a medic for 6 years with the 116th infantry, Virginia National Guard. In addition to flying, he enjoys spending time on the lake and with family.
Jake Shifflett
CFI, CFII
As a very young child I had always been intrigued by the magic of flight. At the age of 10 years old I went to a fly-in at the Winchester Regional Airport and took my first plane ride. That flight helped me realize I wanted to become a pilot. I started my flight training at 15 years old, soloed at 16 and earned my private pilot's license at 18 years old. At 30 years old I continued my flight training with Blue Ridge Aviation, and within 16 months earned my instrument rating, commercial pilot's license, and flight instructor certificate. I served 9 years in the VA Air National Guard and I also served as a police officer for 5 years. I love teaching new pilots and watching them succeed, being a flight instructor is so rewarding.
