Our Instructors
Deanna McAlister
Background:
Deanna is our Chief Flight Instructor and a founding member of Spartan Wings, Inc. She started flying at age 15 and soloed 6 days after her 16th birthday. She flew freight commercially in MU-2s, BE-8Ts and Learjets, and even worked as a powerplant mechanic, mainly on Learjet CJ610 engines. Deanna came back to her passion for instructing in 1999, and subsequently founded Zircon Aviation Services, LLC in 2001. She received her training above her private certificate at Lansing Community College. She is also a member of EAA Chapter 55 at KTEW, and owns a 1971 Cessna 150M Commuter II. Deanna is currently not accepting new students.
Certificates/Ratings:
- FAA Certified Commercial SEL, SES and MEL
- FAA Certified CFI, CFII, and AGI
- FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Hourly Rate: $40/Hobbs-hour
Brian J. Katko
Background:
Brian began his flying career here at the Mason airport in 1989. After completing his private and instrument ratings Brian went on to graduate from Lansing Community College’s aviation program. His previous aviation experience includes, owning and operating an FBO and flight school, corporate and charter captain in various turboprops and jets, and Chief Pilot for an on-demand air charter company.
Brian has continuously maintained proficiency as a flight instructor on a part time basis since completing his flight instructor ratings at Lansing Community College. In addition to helping Spartan Wings members maintain currency and some to get their private pilot licenses he also has experience providing flight instruction to pilots pursing instrument, commercial, multi-engine, flight instructor ratings, and has experience preparing pilots for FAA required flight checks in turboprops and jets. He currently serves as a crew member on a family owned Learjet 60 and is also employed part time at Lansing Community College where he provides instruction to students seeking multi-engine instrument commercial privileges.
Brian has continuously maintained proficiency as a flight instructor on a part time basis since completing his flight instructor ratings at Lansing Community College. In addition to helping Spartan Wings members maintain currency and some to get their private pilot licenses he also has experience providing flight instruction to pilots pursing instrument, commercial, multi-engine, flight instructor ratings, and has experience preparing pilots for FAA required flight checks in turboprops and jets. He currently serves as a crew member on a family owned Learjet 60 and is also employed part time at Lansing Community College where he provides instruction to students seeking multi-engine instrument commercial privileges.
Certificates/Ratings:
- FAA Certified ATP
- FAA Certified Commercial SEL and SES
- FAA Certified CFI, CFII, MEI and AGI
- Type Ratings: BeechJet 400A, LearJet 60 and Citation Sovereign
Mary Schwaderer
Background:
Mary started flying at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan in 1977. She obtained her CFI in 1980 and began instructing for Winchester Aviation in Traverse City. Mary also taught at ADI in Pontiac and at General Aviation, Inc. in Lansing.
Mary transferred into Air Traffic Control in 1982 and has been a controller, supervisor, tower manager and staff specialist having worked at Lansing, Detroit Metro Tower and Jackson Tower. She has also worked at Oshkosh Tower for 10 Air Venture congregations. She currently serves as an air traffic controller at Lansing (KLAN).
Mary joined Spartan Wings in 2000 as a member and flight instructor, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors. She is also a member of EAA Chapter 55 at KTEW, having given numerous Young Eagle rides. Mary’s husband Jim is also a pilot. They enjoy flying, downhill skiing and sailing, and have two children.
Mary is currently not accepting new private pilot students. Please contact her directly for aircraft checkouts and biennial and annual flight reviews.
Certificates/Ratings:Mary transferred into Air Traffic Control in 1982 and has been a controller, supervisor, tower manager and staff specialist having worked at Lansing, Detroit Metro Tower and Jackson Tower. She has also worked at Oshkosh Tower for 10 Air Venture congregations. She currently serves as an air traffic controller at Lansing (KLAN).
Mary joined Spartan Wings in 2000 as a member and flight instructor, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors. She is also a member of EAA Chapter 55 at KTEW, having given numerous Young Eagle rides. Mary’s husband Jim is also a pilot. They enjoy flying, downhill skiing and sailing, and have two children.
Mary is currently not accepting new private pilot students. Please contact her directly for aircraft checkouts and biennial and annual flight reviews.
- FAA Certified ATC
- FAA Certified SEL, MEL
- FAA Certified CFI, CFII
Kevin Johnson
Background:
Kevin grew up in Holt and began flying at Lansing Community College in 2005. After graduating from LCC’s aviation program in 2007, he was invited to join LCC’s flight instruction faculty, and has been teaching private and commercial pilot students there since. He is pursuing his ground instructor and instrument instructor certificates at LCC this fall.
Kevin began instructing with Spartan Wings in the spring of 2008. He is available to help members maintain currency, perform biennial and annual flight reviews, and prepare for FAA checkrides. Kevin is also accepting a limited number of new private pilot students. He is generally available weekday mornings and weekends. Please contact Kevin directly to discuss your flying needs or set up instructional time.
Certificates/Ratings:Kevin began instructing with Spartan Wings in the spring of 2008. He is available to help members maintain currency, perform biennial and annual flight reviews, and prepare for FAA checkrides. Kevin is also accepting a limited number of new private pilot students. He is generally available weekday mornings and weekends. Please contact Kevin directly to discuss your flying needs or set up instructional time.
- FAA Certified Commercial SEL, MEL and Instrument
- FAA Certified Flight Instructor SEL
Contact: 517-281-0157 or email at: johnsk24@email.lcc.edu
Kareem Walton
Background:
Kareem started flying out of Detroit City Airport with a high school guidance counselor before joining the Navy. In 2000, he obtained his private pilot license in Pensacola at Ferguson Field.
Kareem earned his advanced ratings and degrees in Flight, Avionics and Aviation Management from Troy University and Ozark-Enterprise College (formerly known as Wallace College). His aviation work experience includes: Inflight with Northwest Airlink, and air ambulance dispatching & maintenance with a medical air charter company.
In 2007, Kareem began training for his CFI ratings at Tradewinds Aviation (Pontiac-Oakland County Airport), where he was also hired as a CFI prior to the school's closing. After Tradewinds Aviation closed, he began instructing at Pontiac Air Center before being hired at Lansing Community College.
Kareem currently has weekend availability for instruction during the Lansing Community College school year.
Certificates/Ratings:Kareem earned his advanced ratings and degrees in Flight, Avionics and Aviation Management from Troy University and Ozark-Enterprise College (formerly known as Wallace College). His aviation work experience includes: Inflight with Northwest Airlink, and air ambulance dispatching & maintenance with a medical air charter company.
In 2007, Kareem began training for his CFI ratings at Tradewinds Aviation (Pontiac-Oakland County Airport), where he was also hired as a CFI prior to the school's closing. After Tradewinds Aviation closed, he began instructing at Pontiac Air Center before being hired at Lansing Community College.
Kareem currently has weekend availability for instruction during the Lansing Community College school year.
- FAA Certified Commercial SEL, MEL and Instrument
- FAA Certified CFI, CFII and MEI
- FAA Certified AGI and IGI
Contact: 313-282-9825 or email at: FLITETRAINING@HOTMAIL.COM