Our instructors are great educators.

They were carefully hand-picked based on their experience, ability to communicate effectively, and their charming personalities. Unlike time-building instructors, these experienced instructors are focused on facilitating the most productive learning experience for the student. We get comments time and time again from our customers about how much they enjoy working with our instructors.

Our Team

Jake-headshot-adjusted

Jake

Owner – Jerome – Twin Falls

Jake Spaulding is the owner of Glass Cockpit Aviation! Jake always wanted to be a pilot and started his flight training in 2000. He currently holds a PPL and is looking forward to being able to share his passion for aviation with us and his family.

Cindy

Operations Manager – Boise

Cindy Patterson is the Operations Manager here at Glass Cockpit Aviation. As a true Idaho native, Cindy loves spending her time enjoying all that Idaho has to offer and dreams of one day having her own airplane to play in the beautiful Idaho backcountry. You will find Cindy around the offices of Glass Cockpit Aviation as well as in the sky as she has her PPL and looks to keep adding ratings!

Kayden

Kayden

CFI – Boise

Kayden grew up around airplanes and aviation. From that came a huge passion for all types of flying. Kayden hopes to eventually end up flying for the airlines and make a career from flying. While not in the skies, Kayden enjoys drumming, swimming, sports and more!

Mikah

CFI – Boise

Mikah Harmon is an instructor at Glass Cockpit Aviation. After getting his PPL in Indiana, he moved back to the western states to continue his training and share with others the unique perspective and freedom that aviation brings to our lives. His dream is to become a missionary pilot flying in Africa and South America.

Michael

CFI – Twin Falls – Jerome

Michael has been obsessed with aviation for as long as he can remember and he started flying at 18 years old. After a 20 year career in the U.S. Navy, he spent nearly 20 years in a Law Enforcement career. While there were gaps in flying due to military deployments and other obligations, he never lost his passion for flying and flew whenever he could. After retiring from a second career, Michael was finally able to pursue his dream of becoming a flight instructor. He is now living the dream of teaching and flying! When he isn’t flying, he loves to participate in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. His goal is to continue to make the most of life and help create the best pilots possible.

Frank

A&P – Jerome

Frank grew up a military son, and was exposed to aviation at a young age. He has always had a passion for all things mechanical. Just to name a few, he has worked on motorcycles, cars, semis, boats, and aircraft all over the world. His hobbies are customizing motorcycles, cars and trucks, playing drums, and art.

Mike

Mike

CFII – Boise

Mike started his training in Sacramento where he grew up, before moving to Idaho in 2021 and finishing the rest of his ratings. He hopes one day to chase his lifelong dream of becoming an airline pilot. When he’s not flying, Mike enjoys skiing and golfing.

Justin L

CFII – Boise

After training in Denver Colorado, Justin started instructing in Wyoming. Originally from Chicago, he loves the west and all it has to offer. Hiking, fishing, and just enjoying the outdoors are a few of his favorite ways to spend his time when he is not flying. Justin is excited about a long career in aviation and looks forward to wherever it may take him!

Brandon

CFII – Boise

Brandon is a flight instructor with Glass Cockpit Aviation and finds immense joy guiding students and witnessing their growth. An Idaho native, Brandon took his first discovery flight in Utah in 2021, sparking a deep passion for aviation. He is currently involved with the Alaska Ascend Academy and inspires to fly for the airlines while remaining actively engaged in general aviation. Outside of flying, Brandon cherishes time with his family, being in nature, and loves every sport imagined!

Nathan

Nathan

CFI – MEI – Boise

Nathan grew up in a small town in Washington state. From a young age his grandfather taught him to operate a variety of machinery, which translated to a love of all things mechanical. After discovering pilots get to operate some of the coolest machines around, he settled on aviation as a career. He completed his flight training at ATP in Arizona, and began working with GCA in 2024. When Nathan isn’t flying, you can find him hunting or fishing!

Barry

CFII – MEI – Boise

Barry has moved all over this beautiful country, including many years in CO, NC, AK, and then AZ for flight school. Now, he is fulfilling his dream as a professional pilot/flight instructor here in Idaho. He began his training in Mesa, AZ, where he earned his certifications as a CFI, MEI, and CFII, flying mostly Cessna 172s and Piper Seminoles. He has always wanted to be a pilot and feels extremely fortunate to be a flight instructor, and share his passion for aviation with others. One of his short term goals is to get a seaplane rating and spend some time as a bush pilot in AK, or island hop in the Caribbean, but ultimately, he would like to fly wide-body aircraft for Delta Airlines. When Barry is not flying, you can find him traveling to a new country in Central or South America, spending time in the outdoors, or hanging with his gigantic Great Pyrenees. He also likes to scuba dive, hike/camp, backpack, and anything fishing, particularly saltwater fly fishing at the moment.

Lucien

Lucien

CFII – Boise

Lucien lives and breathes all things aviation and has a passion for sharing the skies with students of all levels. Lucien is a member of the Idaho Air National Guard as a Crew Chief for the A-10s. He completed all of his flight training right here in Boise with Glass Cockpit Aviation and is excited to continue developing his career in aviation! He is also pursuing his Bachelor’s degree at Boise State University. In his free time, Lucien enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, biking, and running. He also enjoys volunteering with local organizations as a pilot and sharing his passion for aviation with members of our community.

Soren

CFI – Boise

Soren is very passionate about giving the highest quality of service to his students, and to make flying fun at the same time, all while treating them as individuals! His dreams in Aviation are to fly for the airlines and travel the world while doing so. Some things outside of aviation that he enjoys is snowboarding, golfing, riding ATV’s, white water rafting, and hanging out with his family!

Katherine

Katherine

CFII – MEI – AIGI – Twin Falls – Jerome

Katherine is an Arizona native where she started her aviation journey. With her partner Abe, along with two miniature dachshunds named Renegade and Charger, she enjoys exploring the Arizona wilderness and now, the Idaho backcountry. In her spare time, Katherine enjoys making candles, wax melts, and soap that she sells online to fellow aviators.

Anthony

CFI – Twin Falls – Jerome

Anthony started his flight training out of KBJC in Denver, Colorado. He has always wanted to be a pilot since a little kid, and when he is not flying he likes to go fishing, watch football, and be with his family. Anthony’s end goal is to end up at the airlines!

Emily

Office Admin – GCA Student in Boise

Emily is a office admin at Glass Cockpit Aviation as well as a Flight Attendant for Southwest. She has always loved the view from above and realized she wanted to be a pilot as soon as she got involved in Aviation.  She plans to become a flight instructor and get back on with Southwest as a pilot. When she isn’t flying you can find her in the mountains backpacking, on the river, or on a long run with friends.

Maddie

Maddie

Office Admin – GCA Student in Boise

Maddie is a office admin at Glass Cockpit Aviation. After college she decided that flying was something that she wanted to pursue as a career. Maddie plans on gaining hours flying privately and then eventually working with the forest service to help put out fires. When Maddie isn’t around planes, you can find her assisting with volleyball coaching, traveling around the Pacific Northwest, or spending her time outside.