Our Instructors

Robert "Bo" Demario - CFI, CFII, MEI - Flight Instructor, Tailwheel

When I was 15 I had my first flight lesson at an aviation summer camp, and I immediately knew I wanted to be a pilot. I continued to pursue flying during high school, and ultimately decided to attend college where that first summer camp was held at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. While there, I worked as a flight instructor to build my experience before moving on to the airlines. I currently fly the 737 for Delta Air Lines.

My favorite part of aviation is sharing the experiences and lessons I’ve learned over the course of my aviation career with other aspiring pilots.

When I’m not flying, I enjoy fly fishing, hiking and spending time with my wife and our 11 month old baby.

Eric West - CFI, CFII, MEI - Flight Instructor

I was inspired to get into aviation because of the unique technical perspective it offers into seeing the world, and also because the people in the aviation community are some of the most fun-loving, sharing, and tight-knit groups of any I have experienced. I love that aviation requires you to take notice of many factors in the world around you. Instead of passively looking at things, it makes you examine things with intention, like the weather. There really is nothing like having a flight plan you’ve prepared work out exactly the way you planned. Managing a fast-flying machine, being able to properly communicate, and learning to harness the environment gives you a sense of accomplishment like no other.

Eric has been teaching pilots for 16 years. A civilian and former military instructor pilot, Eric brings a unique perspective to flight instruction that his students enjoy. Eric holds his ATP, CFI, CFII, and MEI, and is our only dual-rated instructor that can teach in airplanes and helicopters. Eric enjoys teaching Instrument students due to the technical prowess and precision it requires. When he isn't teaching Eric can be found coaching football, lifting weights, or out fishing.

John Rinaldi - AGI - Flight Instructor

I always had a passion for aviation but for some reason never saw it as an obtainable career. My real journey into aviation started with a free flight where I learned to hang glide on the California coast. Then after working in IT for 8 years I began to realize I didn't want to spend the rest of my working years in a cubicle. I took the leap in 2019 where I began training full time to become a CFI. Flying to me is the ultimate experience whether powered or free flight; it’s challenging, rewarding, and amazing seeing the earth from a unique perspective. I also have a passion for teaching and love to be in a position to pass on the passion and experience to new pilots. I’m not sure what my end goal is yet in aviation but for now I’m taking it one day at a time and enjoying my time instructing. Aside from aviation, I enjoy playing games on my PC and spending time with my family, including my wife and two-year-old daughter.

Hayden Keith - ACFI, CFII, AGI, IGI, sUAS - Flight Instructor

At the age of 16, I took my first intro flight in the Midwest. At the time, I didn’t imagine pursuing an aviation career. When I moved to Puyallup with my family on my 18th birthday, I continued to work as a near-master ASE mechanic across from Thun Field. Until one day I woke up dreaming of being the one across the road at Thun—the one flying those airplanes. That day I signed up to train for an associate’s degree as a pilot, which I have since completed.

Aviation is filled with amazing people and communities. I have met many lifelong friends in such a short amount of time, and plan to meet many more! My goal is to obtain as many certifications and endorsements—and fly as many aircraft—as possible. On top of that, I would like to fly for the airlines and see the country. 

Devereaux/Dev Buraczyk- CFII - Flight Instructor

Devereaux or Dev, is a second-generation pilot. She has her BS in Aeronautics from Liberty University and instructed in Southern California prior to joining the Safety in Motion team. She began flying after serving 6 years in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces law enforcement officer. She’s traveled to S. Korea, Afghanistan, and Qatar. She originally grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, where she competed in numerous Tae Kwon Do competitions earning her Black Belt. Dev has become invested in the challenges faced since starting her aviation career and is a firm believer in, “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Alan Pham - CFII - Flight Instructor

I have always wanted to travel the world and what better way to do so than being a pilot! I was inspired to gear myself toward aviation when I attended Alaska Airlines Day for the first time. Being in the environment and landing a 737 in the simulator, I knew this was what I wanted to do. Once I graduated high school I moved to Florida to complete my flight training in 2020. It was a great learning experience both in aviation and personal growth. I returned to the PNW in 2022 to be with my parents and younger brother. As much as I liked the sunshine of Florida, nothing beats seeing Mt. Rainier on a clear day!

Shawn Kenyon - CFII - Flight Instructor

I got into flying after nine years in the military. Six of which I spent jumping out of planes and repelling out of helicopters. I was initially not sure what I wanted to do when I got out of the military. The one thing I knew I didn’t want to do was jump out of planes anymore. Causing me to realize that if I fly the planes I won’t have to jump out of them. This simple concept is what got me on the route of learning to fly and a career in aviation.

Talon Kohler - CFII - Flight Instructor

Talon grew up in the Pacific Northwest and began flight training in high school. He is a first-generation aviator who was inspired to fly by former Seahawk Jimmy Graham who flew his plane into practice every day. Talon obtained his Bachelor of Aeronautical Science through Green River College and began instructing with Safety in Motion in November of 2022. In his free time, Talon enjoys hiking, shooting, biking, and golfing.

Shawn Pratt, ATP - CFI, CFII, MEI, CSIP - Chief Flight Instructor

My passion for commercial aviation was ignited while growing up in Alaska. As a teenager, I vividly remember flying out of Sitka to Petersburg, AK in a Boeing 727 where we threaded the mountain ranges in a series of steep banks and landed on a gravel runway! (Took me and the flight attendant about 5 minutes to help the guy next to me let go of his seat!)

I pursued more of a "pay as you go" approach to my flight training, which started during my 10 years of service in the U.S. Navy as an Air Intercept Controller. After leaving the military to focus on a flying career, I spent an additional 6 years working to fund my training as a Certified Flight Instructor. Finally, in 2001, I accepted a job at Northwest Aviation College, and my wife and I moved to the Pacific Northwest before coming to Safety in Motion Flight Center in 2013.

Judson "Jud" Kelley - CFI, CFII, MEI - Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

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). The thing he loves about aviation is the freedom to fly and travel without being tied to an airline schedule. Flying to airport restaurants affords a unique get away for himself and his wife. Flying to Pullman in 3 hours instead of driving for 6 was great when his kids were attending WSU. He also really enjoys passing on his aviation experience and knowledge to the next generation. Jud is a CFII/MEI with over 3,000 flight hours. He’s working on his IGI and AGI. When he’s not teaching at SIM Flight Center, he can be found in his hangar at Hoskins Field, putzing around the house, or in the kitchen as his wife’s favorite cook.

Mark Leingang - ATP - CFI, CFII, MEI, sUAS, FE Turbojet - Flight Instructor

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.