Growing up, I used to go to the regional airport and watch airplanes take off and land, I knew I wanted to fly but unfortunately couldn't afford it. So, I enlisted in the Navy and worked primarily on Destroyers throughout my 8 years of service. Working on the flight deck, I gained an interest in helicopters and decided to apply to both Navy and Army helicopter programs but was denied due to my “almost perfect vision.” So in 2021, I decided to finally pursue aviation on my own and got my Private Pilot License, and the journey has continued from there. After separating from the Navy in October of 2024 I finished up my CFI certificate and am proud to be working at Safety in Motion Flight Center where I continue to try and better myself as an aviator and as an instructor. I look forward to helping you achieve your aviation goals.

Ever since I was little, I've been interested in flying. Through experiences while I was in the Boy Scouts and a flight to Hawaii, I knew I wanted to become a pilot. I attended Central Washington University as a student in their aviation program, ultimately working up to become a flight instructor, where I am now helping people reach their aviation dreams.

Jud is a 25-year Air Force veteran with over 2,000 hours in A-7s, A-37s, & F-16s and combat tours in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After retiring from the Air Force, he founded an AFJROTC program in 2006 at Bethel High School in Spanaway. After retiring from teaching he continued to pursue his aviation passions in flight and kit planes. He is currently building an RV-6A, flying a Piper Tomahawk and working part time at Safety In Motion. Since he was young, he wanted to be an astronaut. He attended the Air Force Academy to pursue that dream, and through his experience there, realized that being a fighter pilot was the best thing he could do (after discovering he didn't like 0 G).

I grew up in an aviation family, but my interest began with Boy Scouts. During the annual aviation day, run by Alaska Airlines, we were able to fly a 737 simulator that the pilots used for training and tour other aircraft. We also learned the basics of aviation. After the Boy Scouts, I started volunteering there. I got my private here at Safety in Motion Flight Center to see whether I wanted to make it a career or just a hobby. After completing my private, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I decided to dive in 100 percent and get the rest of the licenses. I went to a flight school in Sacramento, CA to get it done. I wanted my first instructor position to be where I got my first license, here at Safety in Motion. My hobbies outside of flying involve tennis, gaming, and traveling.

Mark has over 3,600 flight hours and holds ratings of single and multi-engine airplane ATP, CFI, CFII, Remote Pilot (sUAS), and Flight Engineer Turbojet. He has flown 21 different aircraft and holds type ratings on the Boeing B-707/720 and the B-727. After graduating in 1982 with an engineering degree from Saint Martin’s College, he entered the Air Force. Upon completion of Pilot Training, he flew the KC-135Q refueling the SR-71 spy planes in the European and Pacific theaters. Later, he flew the KC-135R at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. After active duty, he joined the Washington Air National Guard flying the KC-135E while flying at American Airlines. He then transferred to the 111th ASOC, Camp Murray, becoming Director of Operations and Vice Commander.

My passion for aviation didn’t come until much later in life, but its driving factor started at a very young age. While I didn’t grow up around airplane enthusiasts, former fighter pilots, or aerodynamicists, personal growth and discovery were important components of my upbringing. A desire to learn is perhaps one of the most important skill sets that drives my growth and success as a person, a pilot, and an instructor. Growing up in a small Ohio town, there was little to do but explore the neighborhood. While that small town once seemed large, I quickly realized I had reached its borders and at 17 chose to move to the west coast. Only my 3rd time on a plane, flying into the Pacific Northwest presented a view of the world that took my breath away.

Tanner began his aviation career in Alaska, where he completed all of his flight training and built his early experience flying in some of the most challenging conditions in the country. After earning a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage, he began instructing in Anchorage, training new pilots while gaining extensive experience in tailwheel operations, mountain flying, and Alaska’s dynamic weather environment.

After nearly two years as a flight instructor, Tanner was hired by Ravn Alaska, where he flew the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 throughout the state, operating into unique destinations such as Dutch Harbor and Valdez.

In 2023, Tanner joined Alaska Airlines as a First Officer and relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where he now flies the Boeing 737. Tanner continues to instruct because he enjoys helping pilots develop strong aircraft control, sound aeronautical decision-making, and the confidence needed to operate safely in real-world conditions.

Growing up, I had always found aviation to be exciting. It was always in the back of my mind as something I enjoy learning about, but I didn't take it seriously until around my senior year of high school when I realized I needed to pursue a career. After taking an intro flight, I knew that aviation was what I wanted to do and I haven’t looked back ever since. When I fly, I am always reminded why I do what I do.

Growing up, I was always fascinated with airplanes, which eventually led me to start my aviation journey at Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee as a fueler. During my time there, I also became an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) responder, gaining valuable experience in airport operations and safety. Being around aircraft every day quickly turned that interest into a true passion, and I knew I wanted to pursue flying as a career. I went on to complete the Commercial Pilot Program at Big Bend Community College, where I earned all of my ratings from private pilot through CFII.

My goal is to not only help students pass their checkrides, but to help them become confident, capable pilots who are prepared for real-world flying.

It's never too late to learn to fly! I've wanted to fly my entire life but lack of funds, then professional and family obligations kept me from my dream until I was in my 50s. I often tell people that it took me 31 years from my first day of ground school until my Private Pilot Certificate! But flying has turned out to be a fantastic second career after my retirement from the US Army, not only as a Flight Instructor but also as a jet and now turboprop pilot. I fly seasonally with the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources in their Wildfire Management division but one of my favorite things is to introduce aspiring pilots to aviation and help them realize their own flying goals. Come talk to us at Safety In Motion!

My path into aviation has been pretty indirect and random.  I always struggled to find something that I could see myself doing in the long term and in my early adulthood, I bounced between many different jobs and cities.  I’ve worked in tech support, sales, pest control, counselling, and more, but when I got a job as a flight attendant on a whim, I finally found a career that I thought I could really commit myself to; it was just on the other side of the flight deck door.  The more I looked into flight training, the more excited I got about it and all the varied experiences you can have within just one industry.  Now, I’m thrilled to have my wandering behind me and to finally be back in my original home of the PNW to help others along this path too!