Bill Clothier received his private pilot license in 1967.  After 5 years of flying in the Colorado area he started an FBO partnership at the old Stapleton Airport in Denver.  The FBO partnership went on to establish a commuter airline, “Pioneer Airways”, in 1977. He earned his instrument and multi-engine ratings and, over the next 6, years flew at least 25 different single and multi engine aircraft.

In 1979 he took a position as director of software engineering in Virginia where he was not allowed to fly privately.  This went on until he returned to Colorado to retire in 2003. He has owned a number of certificated aircraft and currently flies a well pampered 1955 F35 Bonanza stationed at Meadow Lake Airport.  He enjoys the challenge of teaching eager young people about flying and has been involved in teaching complex computer subjects since 1960.

Vann Norred started flying as a senior in high school where he soloed in an Aeronca 7AC Champ at Cornelia Fort Airpark in Nashville, TN.  He earned an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University, then spent 3 years on active duty with the Marines.  Vann earned fixed wing licenses through ATP and CFIA and CFII.  He also holds Ground Instructor Advanced and Instrument as well as an A&P License.

Returning to the Marines in 1961, Vann has instructed at flight training facilities in Quantico, VA, Jacksonville, New Bern, and Kinston, NC, Yuma, AZ, Ft. Carson, CO as well as Carlsbad, CA.  He ran the Aviation Ground School at Arizona Western College at Yuma.  Although he was a 20 year career Marine Corps officer, he was never a military pilot.

He instructed Weekend Flight Clinics in all parts of the country for the AOPA Air Safety Foundation from 1967 through the mid 1990s.

After retiring from the Marines he worked as an Air Defense Systems Engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company, Fullerton, CA and then was Engineering Manager at Litton Data Systems in Colorado Springs.

Ed Hopkins comes from a long line of military aviators. His father served in WWII as a Marine pilot out of Okinawa with VMF 217. His Dad’s brother served with the U.S. Navy in a similar capacity. Ed started flying in 1965.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam conflict in the RF-4C. After returning to civilian life he began teaching in the public schools as a certified Art teacher, where he continued for fourteen years. In 1989 he attended the University of California Dept. of Orthopedic Medicine graduating as a certified Spinal Therapist. Hopkins opened a spinal rehab clinic in 1992 where he practiced for eleven years before retiring. He now teaches art to home school students. His family’s ministry, Jubilee Ministries, is a sponsor and Charter Organization for Troop 128, a Christian, Home School, Boy and Cub Scout Troop. He and his son Michael are active members of EAA Chapter 72 and he currently serves on the board of AEFCO.