Mark Burpee
In 2001, having the opportunity to work for a Powered Parachute manufacturer, Mark was asked by Ms. Sue Gardner of the FAA to join a group that would be directly responsible for the research and implimentation of Sport Pilot. Mark's involvement with working with the FAA on writing the Practical Test Standards for the new Sport Pilot Rule has gained him a high profile in the Light Sport Aviation Communities.
In 2003 Mark received his Rotax 2-stroke Series Maintenance and troubleshooting Endorsement by attending an official Rotax Repair School. The knowledge that he obtained in this course will be greatly beneficial to all students who own and pilot their own personal aircraft powered by a Rotax engine. Proper maintenance of your Rotax engine will virtually guarantee extended hours of safe and trouble free flight.
April 2005 brings Mark new opportunities in the aviation skies with an invitation by the FAA to participate as a Sport Pilot Examiner (SPE) for the new rule; this is the same rating as a general aviation Designated Pilot Examiner. In addition to the SPE rating, Sport Flight Instructor Examiner (SFIE) was also granted to Mark by the FAA … we are proud to have the first SPE-SFIE in the state of Michigan who holds two categories of sport pilot endorsments as an examiner. After just two short years Mark has played a part in certificating over 120 Sport Pilots nationwide.
SP/CFI - PPCL, ASEL (< & > 87 knots, tailwheel)
GA - CFI, CFII
SPE/SFIE - PPCL, ASEL (< & > 87 knots, tailwheel)
Certified ROTAX Repair - 2 Stroke
Mark Burpee has been actively involved in the aviation world since 1982. Originally soloing a Fixed Wing General Aviation Aircraft in June of 1983, Mark has gone on to receive his Multi-Engine Rating, Commercial Pilots License, and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument rating through Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Mark Munson
COM, CFI, CFII
Three Rivers, Michigan, USA
AVIATION INSTRUCTION
A native of Southwest Michigan, Mark Munson just loves to fly! And most importantly he enjoys sharing his aviation enthusiasm with others.
In 1983 Mark graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Sports Management. During his college years he played on the Varsity Tennis Team for four years and worked as an intern for the Detroit Tigers at “Tiger Town” during the Tigers winter/spring training programs.
Responding to a small ad in the Miami Harold that read “Private Pilot $2,500,” Mark began to learn to fly in March of 1992 at a flight school in Miami, Florida. 02/19/1993 was the magic day when he received his pilot certification. He received his commercial, multi-engine and flight instructor ratings in 2001 flying at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport; Ft. Lauderdale Executive being deemed the busiest general aviation airport in the entire United States.
Mark is a natural educator and is always proud when a student has achieved an accomplishment. When not teaching flight instruction, he spends his time working as a substitute teacher at Saint Joseph County Elementary Schools. His love of aviation history keeps casual conversation on the topic of aviation and his ultimate dream is to travel the airways as an air show pilot or even an astronaut. This must have something to do with being born the day before Alan Shepard became the first man to fly through space in the Freedom 7 mercury capsule strapped to a rocket! Guess what the “A” stands for in Mark's middle name? Yep, you're right … Alan!
Jason Ledbetter
SP CFI - ASEL, PPCL
Jason Ledbetter is the newest edition to our flight training team at Destination Flight. Becoming a Sport Pilot with a powered parachute endorsement in late July of 2006 Jason truely began to spread his wings. He set a personal goal to get his CFI certification in 2007 and with hard work and dedication accomplished that goal. Two short months after becoming a CFI, Jason satisfactorly completed his SP ASEL > 87 knot proficiency check and two months after that he accomplished the SP CFI ASEL certification. Well done Jason!!!
A native of Southwest Michigan, Jason's passion to learn is equally matched by his passion to teach. Coming from the ranks of transitioning exemption holding ultralight pilots he exemplifies the potential and opportunities that Sport Pilot has brought to to world of light aviaiton. In the short time that Jason has been a CFI he has rolled up his sleeves, dug deep to help his fellow ultralight pilots get through the certification process; after all he has an added edge to help the exemption holders pass their knowledge test and practical test to become Sport Pilots ... he's been there done that.
Everyone at Destination Flight welcomes Jason to our team and we look forward to watching him continue to grow as a pilot and flight instructor.