My first ambition was to be an astronaut, who hasn't, so it's safe to say I was bitten by the flying bug at an early age. After six years in the Air Force I went to college where I graduated with a computer programming degree in 1981 but was always being called to fly. So after raising three kids and reaching 40 something, I decided it was time to make a change. I enrolled in flight training in June 2000 and got my private in January 2001. I then went on to earn my Instrument rating in 2002, Commercial in 2003 and CFI rating in 2004. If I may be permitted to paraphrase from one of the instructors here at Wings, "I came to the realization that the only way to have more fun than flying was to teach others to fly." I have recently jumped the Grand Canyon in that I quit my Computer programming career and now fly full time with a construction company. I fly their project people around the southeast in a Cirrus SR22. I still have to pinch myself when I realize I'm actually getting paid to do something that I love, how cool is that?
I have been to a variety of flight schools over the years and can honestly say that Wings of Eagles is the best flight school in Nashville, and I'm proud of my affiliation with this organization. I currently reside in Hendersonville with my wife and children.
In college, I earned a four year degree in Aviation Science with a Professional Pilot Major and Business Minor. Also, I obtained the following certifications – Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine, while at MTSU. During college, I worked at John Tune on the line.
After college, I earned my CFI and am presently flight instructing. Also, I am currently working part time at Cumberland Aviation logging time as a mechanic in an effort to earn my A&P Mechanic’s certificate.
Flight has always been the focus of my adult life, and hope you share a similar enthusiasm. If so, please call me at (615) 397-0084, or e-mail rfsawyer@gmail.com, and schedule your first exploration flight. You will wonder why you waited so long to have so much fun!
It’s been more than 35 years since my first flight, and along the way I’ve picked up a lot of learning and experiences teaching and flying with people who come from all walks of life. As a flight instructor, I’ve taught students new to aviation how to fly in good weather, and taught more advanced pilots how to fly safely in more challenging aircraft and environments. I also have flown in many roles as a professional pilot.. As a charter and air ambulance pilot, I transported patients during snowstorms in the middle of the night from distant, rural airports to well-equipped metropolitan hospitals, and flown hunters and skiers to isolated, mountain airports high in the Rocky Mountains. And as a pilot for a major airline, I’ve flown travelers into some of the busiest terminals in the world.
No matter why you want to fly.. whether to be able to fly your family over the river and woods to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving, or to make more productive use of your time in a competitive business climate, or to add a new rating to advance yourself toward a career flying to cities across the country and around the world, or just because it’s just plain fun.. It would be my privilege to help you achieve your goal. Call me at 615 686-3207 or e-mail me at skip.munn@comcast.net.
Come fly with us soon at Wings of Eagles!
As a software developer and real estate investor, I found myself frequently encountering people who were private pilots. This naturally intrigued me, then one day a good friend with a local firm offered me a ride in the company Beech Baron. After that, my decision to begin flight training was immediately made. A few months later, I joined the incredibly small percentage of people over the course of human history with the ability to "slip the surly bonds" of our own volition. I discovered that the sensation of freedom and peace that results from doing so can hardly be overstated.
After obtaining the private certificate and instrument rating, I turned my sights toward teaching so that I could share this freedom with others. Having previously instructed in mathematics and TaeKwonDo during my college days, I felt certain that achieving a flight instructor certificate would be a worthwhile endeavor. I can state here, without reservation, that it has been vastly rewarding, and I envision giving flight instruction as long as I am able. It is my sincere hope that I can help you achieve the same degree of reward and accomplishment during your training.
Outside of flying, my greatest source of joy is my wife of 13 years and three children. We have flown together coast to coast in our Beech Bonanza, which has given us all many wondrous, lasting memories together. So few of us ever receive such a privilege, and I am reminded of how fortunate I am on every flight. Life has a way of just happening around us if we do not take decisive action, and I would encourage you to join in the blessing of flight by doing just that.
One of my earliest recollections is when I tied a set of old model airplane wings to my tricycle and rode off a small hill. The flight wasn’t long, but fortunately the sand below was soft.
I then started flying model airplanes, and gradually moved up through free flight and control line airplanes to large radio controlled models. I flew my first hang glider in high school, and was a professional skydiver during and after college. I earned my private pilot’s license in 1985 and have since logged over 2,300 hours in a variety of aircraft. I also am an ultralight pilot and instructor, and have over 180 hours of logged ultralight piloting experience. I received my Flight Instructor rating in 2002.
I have been competing in aerobatics since 1994, have won many regional championships, and placed 8th overall at the 2008 AWAC in Pendleton, OR, flying as an independent. I teach aerobatics for those students interested in real “ unusual attitudes.”
I have a degree in Safety from the University of Southern California, and live in Nashville, Tennessee with my aviation-loving wife and two sons.
I spent most of my scientific career at The Ohio State University, a small school with over 63,000 students. In the mid-1990’s Kansas State University made me an attractive offer, and my team moved to the small town of Manhattan. Learning to fly was a practical way to avoid the eight-hours of driving plus commercial flights between KSU and my research base at Fermilab in Chicago.
The first time I pulled back the yoke and lifted skyward, practicality became passion. I experienced the exhilaration of various aircraft and then purchased a B55 Baron. Over the next several years the Baron and I made over 100 round trips from Manhattan to Chicago and around the United States in all kinds of weather. Flying to Alaska was a particular treat. My present plane, an AA5B Grumman Tiger, is slower but responsive and fun to fly. She and I have flown to such myriad destinations as Chicago, Reno, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe, and Syracuse.
Learning to fly takes commitment. On some days everything will be easy, and on others it may seem as though you’ll never make progress. I’m interested in all types of students—beginners, returnees, those adding an instrument rating or performing a flight review. I want to help you enjoy the learning process and to work with you while smoothing out the rough spots.
My wife was reared in Memphis and she persuaded this Los Angeles native to move to the South. If you’ll teach me about the rich experience of being a Southerner, I’d love to teach you more about flying. Y’all contact me at (615) 925-0507 or email me at reay14@gmail.com.
