On his 12th birthday, Nate went for his first small airplane ride in a Cessna 185 and he’s been hooked ever since. Nate graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BS in Aeronautics. He has acquired over 9,000 hours in several different aircraft types, including 4 jet type ratings. While flying for the airlines is a great career, his true passion lies in small airplanes. He hasn’t missed Oshkosh for 15 years running (except in 2020) and has been flight instructing at what is now Lake Elmo Aero for over 15 years. When he’s not planning Lake Elmo Aero’s next fly-in/fly-out adventure or monthly forum, you can find him in a red and white Decathlon, usually upside down.
Amy caught the flying bug in 2007, after taking a discovery flight in Hawaii. She has since flown and instructed in all types of general aviation aircraft, including piloting the all-female Misty Blues Skydiving Team in demos and air shows across the nation. In 2016, she was selected to be a C-130 pilot with the Minnesota Air National Guard, fulfilling her long time dream of becoming a military aviator. In 2021, she was hired as a First Officer with Sun Country Airlines. Her most recent adventure started in April 2022 with the birth of her son, Davey, who has already taken his discovery flight!
A native of St. Paul, Brian earned his Private Pilot certificate in 1965. Since then, he has been a corporate pilot, flight school owner, airline simulator instructor, and most recently a renowned Designated Pilot Examiner, with over 14,000 practical exams provided. He has dedicated his life to the aviation industry. He has qualified for the FAA Master Pilot Award for 50 years of accident-free flying, and was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2019.
Ben grew up in Afton, MN. He did most of his flight training at the St. Cloud airport through the aviation program. After achieving a B.S. in Aviation Operations at St Cloud State University, he continued his aviation career with an internship at Centennial Airport, Denver, CO, in Airport Operations. From there he was hired at the Northwest Airlines Aircrew training center as an instructor in the 747 from 2007 to 2009. He continued his education with an MBA from Bellevue University in Nebraska. In addition to being a flight instructor, Ben also manages Global Airfreight contracts for 3M.
Brandon began his aviation career in 2004 when he joined the U. S. Air Force Reserve as an Aeromedical Evacuation Technician after spending four years on active duty in the U. S. Navy as a Damage Controlman. Flying in the Air Force as a crewmember in C-130, C-17 and KC-135 airframes inspired him to pursue an aviation degree. Brandon completed Western Michigan University’s Aviation Flight Science Program in 2011 after earning commercial ratings in single engine land, single engine sea and multi-engine land airplanes. He earned his CFI and CFII ratings with Liberty University’s flight training affiliate, AV8 in Eden Prairie, MN. Brandon currently resides in Hudson, WI with his wife and three sons.
Kyle has worked at a small business for a transportation company and a large corporate
environment as a Healthcare Accountant. Kyle went for an Intro flight in February 2020 and just knew that it was for him. It fit his adventurous desires and it would push him to new heights. With the support of his wife, family, and friends he decided to take the leap. Now, he is doing something that he had previously only dreamed about; and getting more joy from it than he ever imagined. When he not flying he is adventuring with my family or running on a long scenic trail.
Hunter grew up in Farmington, Minnesota. Growing up, he was surrounded by aviation due to both his parents working in the airline industry. Hunter attended the University of North Dakota where he completed his flight training. In addition to flight instructing, he works as a commercial drone operator. In his free time, he enjoys biking around the Twin Cities and spending time outdoors.
Marc grew up in the Afton, MN. In 2004 he joined the U. S. Army as a Cavalry Scout. He was active duty for 4 years. Marc left the Army and became a police officer in the east metro and continues to serve his community in that role. Marc completed his private pilot in 2020 at Lake Elmo Aero after a discovery flight and knew aviation would be his next adventure. Marc completed his CFI training in 2023 and began teaching at Lake Elmo Aero. Marc has always enjoyed teaching, which lead to him meeting his wife when he was her snowboard instructor. When he isn’t flying or in a patrol car, you can find him playing hockey, spending time with his wife and two kids, or at Afton Alps.
Zach grew up in the Twin Cities. He works as a manufacturing engineer during the day and flies at night and on weekends. His aviation passion was ignited at age 15 when he went to his first Oshkosh Airshow (18 years and running). Soon after, he received his first rides in a Christian Eagle and Cessna 170 creating a large passion in his life for tailwheel aircraft. He rebuilt a Pitts S-1C during covid, which is now flown. If you don’t see him teaching at Lake Elmo Aero, you’ll find him doing acro or searching for new grass strips.
Starting as a USAF C5 loadmaster, Bryant Mallez discovered his passion for the skies. After earning a BA in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota and spending a decade in software engineering, he embraced aviation once more, completing CFI training at Lake Elmo Aero. He is thrilled to be part of the team, guiding future pilots. When not in the air, Bryant enjoys hiking, working out, and traveling.
Jack was born and raised in nearby Hastings, MN and went into the Air Force as a firefighter out of high school. He started his flight training in North Carolina where he was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB. He then transitioned to the University of North Dakota where he got all of his ratings and worked as a flight instructor for UND. He enjoys instructing and wanted to keep flying near his hometown! When he is not flying, he is out on his motorcycle or on the boat. He also enjoys all outdoor activities from hunting, fishing, and riding various motorsports.
Oscar was raised in Denmark and England where he gained a love for travel. After moving back to the United States and realizing that college might not be for him, he took his first intro flight, finding a passion for aviation. He then completed his flight training at ATP flight school. Oscar has always loved teaching from sailing to now flight instructing. In his free time you’ll find him sailing in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Nick was born and raised in Morris, Illinois and developed a passion for aviation after attending the Oshkosh airshow in 2017. From there he followed in his brother’s footsteps and attended the University of North Dakota and achieved all of his ratings, graduating in May 2024. While not flying, Nick enjoys watching sports, working out, hunting, and cooking.
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I, (PARTICIPANT MENTIONED ABOVE) voluntarily desire to take an airplane (collectively, “Aircraft”) ride, pilot an Aircraft, rent an Aircraft, and/or train to pilot an Aircraft (collectively, the “Activity”), as well as to participate in the associated activities including, but not limited to, boarding, deplaning and/or walking on the runway and/or around the Aircraft, etc. (the “Associated Activities”), with LAKE ELMO AERO, LLC (collectively, the “Company”). Such activities may result in bodily injury, death, and property damage. I understand and acknowledge that engaging in any of the above activities are purely voluntary and I have made the decision to participate of my own free will. I also understand and acknowledge that, but for my voluntary execution of this Release of Liability (“Release”), the Company would not allow me to be in or otherwise near any Aircraft or participate in any Activity or the Associated Activities.
1. RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE. I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, successors, assigns, agents, trusts, beneficiaries, executors, administrators, guardians, and legal representatives (individually or in any group; collectively, “Releasor”), hereby exempt, release, acquit, forever discharge, and hold harmless the Company, their respective officers, directors, members, administrators, trusts, managers, agents, representatives, servants, employees, successors, and/or assigns (individually or in any group, “Affiliates” and collectively with the Company, the “Releasees”), whether acting on behalf of the Company, or individually, from any and all liability, claims, losses, payments, harm, damages, costs, demands, claims and expenses of every nature whatsoever (collectively, “Damages”), whether in contract or in tort or under any other legal theory, arising out of my participation in the Activity and/or any Associated Activities. Releasor further agrees not to make any claim against, sue, or attach the property of anyone or more Releasees for any bodily injury, death, loss, or damage to personal property, or other damages, including those resulting in whole or in part from the negligence of the Releasees or other acts or omissions of the Releasees resulting from my participation in any Activity and/or Associated Activities.
2. ASSUMPTION OF RISK. I am not required to participate in the Activity or any Associated Activities. I freely and voluntarily choose to assume all of the risks inherent in the Activity and the Associated Activities, including, but not limited to, risks of negligent conduct of others, equipment or aircraft malfunction, improper or negligent operation of Aircraft, including those risks resulting in whole or in part from the Releasees’ own negligence or unintentional acts, but excluding gross negligence or willful misconduct.
3. INDEMNITY AGAINST CLAIMS. Releasor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all losses, judgments, or damages, arising out of any claims, demands actions, causes of action, and/or proceedings of every nature whatsoever (collectively, “Claims”), including but not limited to attorney and legal fees at trial and appellate levels, which may be presented or initiated by any person or entity, arising out of my participation in any activity and/or Associated Activities, and/or concerning the enforcement of or legal challenge to this Release.
4. LEGAL. This Release is governed under Minnesota law, without regard to conflict of law principles. The exclusive venue for any action arising hereunder shall be in the state and federal courts located in Washington County, Minnesota, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. In any action relating to this Release, Releasor hereby WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.
