Jim Simon | Chief Flight Instructor

Certificates & Ratings Held:  CFI, CFII, CSIP, MEI

Aircraft Specialization:

Instructor Bio

Like many others, I received the "aviation 'itch" at a very young age.  As a toddler, I would stare out the window pointing at the airplanes passing by in awe.  Growing up, I would ride my bike to the local airport and watch the arrivals and departures until I was dragged home.  At 16 years old, I started flying gliders and I knew I was hooked.

My career in aviation did not start until many years later.  I was an instructor for a transportation company for almost 10 years when I decided to take my first intro flight.  That intro flight changed my life completely.  I went on to get my certificates and yearned to learn as much as humanly possible regarding aviation.  Once a pilot, I began flying around the west coast on little vacations with my family.

My passion for flying and the desire to expand my knowledge has allowed me to become a flight instructor.  After providing thousands of hours of flight instruction at local flight schools, including Green River Community College and volunteering at Civil Air Patrol, I found my home at Rainier Flight Service 6 years ago.

As Chief Flight Instructor, I intend to use my vast training and knowledge to provide safe and effective instruction in a positive learning environment.  My motto is "Safety First."

Some of my hobbies include: playing classical piano, flying (of course), talking about flying, and snow skiing.