Zach Barnhart | Flight Instructor

Certificates & Ratings Held:  CFI

Aircraft Specialization:

Instructor Bio

My love for aviation started differently than most. Aviation is a second career. I have a Bachelor's degree in nursing from Davenport University in Michigan.  I became a nurse and travel nurse right after high school. A couple years into nursing my cousin who is a captain took me flying in his clipper and I instantly fell in love with aviation and had the most fun flying. I knew right then I wanted to be a pilot as it sounded like an amazing lifestyle and it fit my personality so well. It was so much fun and what better office than one in the sky with amazing people and good views. After his many amazing stories of being a pilot and my passion for aviation I knew I had to switch careers. I knew it would not be easy but I also knew how rewarding it would be to be able to be a pilot and share the love of aviation with other pilots and inspiring pilots while having the opportunity to travel all over and see new places and gain new experiences.  I have enjoyed the benefits of meeting amazing people and the lifestyle of a pilot as I am an adventure seeker and love to travel all over the world. Aviation has helped me meet some of my best friends and expanded my horizons to other parts of the world, country and different cultures. Aviation has taught me so much and I aspire to be in the airlines eventually. 

Aviation and the lifestyle fits who I am as a person. While I love to fly airplanes I have many other hobbies I love. My hobbies are kiteboarding, kitesurfing, surfing, snowboarding, scuba diving, dirt biking, downhill mountain biking and traveling. I love to do these activities with my sister and my dad. 

I'm the oldest child with a younger sibling and I am originally from Traverse City Michigan. My dad has been my biggest supporter in becoming a pilot. 

I went to school and have flying experience in Michigan, Florida, South Carolina, and Washington and there is never a boring day while flying. These experiences have allowed me to have experience all over the country flying and experience many different types of flying.

I like to take a unique approach and experience with each student as each person is different and each person learns differently. I adapt my teaching methods and tailor them to each students needs. I use my experience that I learned from several different schools in many different states and make learning a fun friendly environment where I want each to succeed. My goal is to help every person be the best pilot they can be and achieve their goals in aviation. We will work as a team together as we both share a passion for aviation.