Our Instructors
John Rutoski
John Rutoski
John Rutoski
Delta Captain A320, B757, B727
US Air Force C130, T38, T37, C130 Instructor, C130 Mechanic Over 20,000 Accident-free hours
John uses his 40+ years of aviation experience to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. His motto "prepare for success, not hope for the best. He uses his many contacts to help students navigate the world of aviation and go from zero to hero.
Alex Mason
John Rutoski
John Rutoski
CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Part 121 Line Check Pilot
VMI 2012
Alex was born into a military aviation family and grew up flying general aviation aircraft. He graduated from the nations oldest state run military academy, the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington Virginia. After various activities and leadership roles Alex Mason attended Airline
CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Part 121 Line Check Pilot
VMI 2012
Alex was born into a military aviation family and grew up flying general aviation aircraft. He graduated from the nations oldest state run military academy, the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington Virginia. After various activities and leadership roles Alex Mason attended Airline Transport Professionals (ATP)Flight School. He obtained every rating from Private Single Engine to Multi Engine CFI, CFII and CFI Singe Engine. He then became an instructor with ATP and continued to work his way up in the company. He eventually became a CFI Initial Instructor. He worked with ATP out of RIC, RDU, FLL, TPA, JAX, ATL, DFW, and out of their headquarters in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. He also worked as a CFI and curriculum developer at Crosswinds Flight School in Howell Michigan.
In the airlines Alex worked as a pilot recruiter, pilot interviewer, Assistant Fleet and Standards Manager, Minneapolis Airport Commission representative and ALPA Safety representative. He currently works in the Flight Standards department for an airline as a Line Check Airmen and Captain. He also works for ADAX aviation, an aircraft brokerage and management firm in Maryland. He continues to teach CFI initial ground school as well as other ratings in his spare time for the non-profit and a flight school in Florida.
Zach Shapiro
John Rutoski
Zach Shapiro
CFI, CFII, MEI
Zach completed his private license through a local MN flight school at Lake Elmo, he then went on to gain the rest of his ratings and commercial instructor ratings from ATP flight school in Raleigh, NC.
He continued his aviation career by becoming a flight instructor for ATP at their Orlando, FL school. Zach is now currently flying a Cessna Citation X for a private entity.
Crystal Timm
Crystal Timm
Zach Shapiro
Crystal is a CFI/CFII, and ME pilot who completed her training out of Flying Cloud
Crystal recently completed training on a CRJ 900 working for Endeavor Airlines
Crystal completed all her ratings within one year. she was a Delta Flight Attendant for five years. Her motivation to become a pilot stems from her love for aviation and her go-ge
Crystal is a CFI/CFII, and ME pilot who completed her training out of Flying Cloud
Crystal recently completed training on a CRJ 900 working for Endeavor Airlines
Crystal completed all her ratings within one year. she was a Delta Flight Attendant for five years. Her motivation to become a pilot stems from her love for aviation and her go-getter personality. She finds joy and fulfillment in helping others also achieve their aviation dreams.
Kelsey Sagen
Crystal Timm
Kelsey Sagen
Kelsey is a CFI/CFII, and MEI pilot who completed her training out of Flying Cloud
She is currently in CRJ 900 Training at Endeavor Airlines.
Kelsey started her career in aviation as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. Her exposure to the flight deck drove her to want to become a pilot herself. She received her flight instructor certific
Kelsey is a CFI/CFII, and MEI pilot who completed her training out of Flying Cloud
She is currently in CRJ 900 Training at Endeavor Airlines.
Kelsey started her career in aviation as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. Her exposure to the flight deck drove her to want to become a pilot herself. She received her flight instructor certificate on March 11, 2021. Kelsey has worked with Virtual Aviation of MN from the start of her training and now she is happy to have the opportunity to give back as an instructor. She has a passion for helping aspiring pilots work toward their goals in aviation.
Heather Sharp
Michelle Thiem
Michelle Thiem
Over 25 years with Delta Air Lines - A320 and B747 Pilot and InstructorAir National Guard C-130 PilotRegional Airline PilotCargo PilotCFII and MEIOver 15,000 accident-free hours
Heather’s career was cut short when she had to medically retire from Delta Air Lines. In 2015 was on the interview team for Endeavor Airlines and has reviewed tho
Over 25 years with Delta Air Lines - A320 and B747 Pilot and InstructorAir National Guard C-130 PilotRegional Airline PilotCargo PilotCFII and MEIOver 15,000 accident-free hours
Heather’s career was cut short when she had to medically retire from Delta Air Lines. In 2015 was on the interview team for Endeavor Airlines and has reviewed thousands of resumes and applications and conducted hundreds of interviews. She volunteers her time to do career counseling, resume and application review. She conducts mock interviews and provides feedback to prepare students to get the job of their dreams.
Michelle Thiem
Michelle Thiem
Michelle Thiem
Michelle is a CFI/CFII, seaplane and ME pilot who completed her training out of Fleming Field. She recently completed CRJ 900 Training for Endeavor Airlines. Virtual Aviation was instrumental in helping Michelle stick her landings during her private pilot training. She is excited to now work with them as an instructor and mentor.
Our Veterans Affairs Mentor
Dillion Washburn
Dillon began his colligate studies with a focus in secondary education before transitioning towards a career in aviation. In 2015, he married his two passions, aviation and education, by running flight training programs for various organizations. His focus and intent is to inspire and train a new generation of aviators and to educate on t
Dillon began his colligate studies with a focus in secondary education before transitioning towards a career in aviation. In 2015, he married his two passions, aviation and education, by running flight training programs for various organizations. His focus and intent is to inspire and train a new generation of aviators and to educate on the many lucrative career opportunities in the aerospace industry. He has a unique expertise with VA benefits and helping veterans maximize the programs offered to them. To date, he has helped well over 100 veterans become career aviators through the utilization of GI Bill programs like Chapter 30, 31, and 33.
Our Pilot Mentors
Mitch Berge
Mitch Berge
Mitch Berge
I have always love to fly ever since I was a kid I love airplanes, cars, trucks and mostly anything with an engine. I have worked in the automotive and transportation industry my whole life I currently work as a local truck driver and live in Farmington Minnesota with my wife and two kids. I acquired my private pilot Certificate in Septem
I have always love to fly ever since I was a kid I love airplanes, cars, trucks and mostly anything with an engine. I have worked in the automotive and transportation industry my whole life I currently work as a local truck driver and live in Farmington Minnesota with my wife and two kids. I acquired my private pilot Certificate in September 2020 As well as my high-performance and G 1000 rating, am looking to pursue my dream someday becoming a ATP rated airline pilot. I look forward to working with you to achieve your aviation goals.
Daniel Last
Mitch Berge
Mitch Berge
Director of Air Traffic Control training and communications - MSP Approach Controller
I come from an aviation family. My father is a retired air traffic controller and I followed his footsteps for what I do today. I currently hold a private pilot certificate. I have been a private pilot for 15 years. In my free time I enjoy family time,
Director of Air Traffic Control training and communications - MSP Approach Controller
I come from an aviation family. My father is a retired air traffic controller and I followed his footsteps for what I do today. I currently hold a private pilot certificate. I have been a private pilot for 15 years. In my free time I enjoy family time, sporting events, and Xbox. I attend the EAA air-venture annually in Oshkosh WI. I look forward to giving back my time and knowledge for future pilots. Please note the views expressed are my own and not those of the FAA. Private Pilot - Primary airplane Beechcraft Sundowner Line Service Tech - 2002-2007ATC Internship Cleveland Tower 2006-2007Lockheed Martin flight service specialist 2007-2008ATC Columbus tower and approach 2008-2011ATC Minneapolis Approach 2011- Current