Bergstrom Aircraft

Mitch Coates

Why are you a CFI?

To give my knowledge of aviation to the student, producing the best pilots who are safety oriented, well rounded, and can enjoy the gift of aviation.

Biography

I was born and raised in Richland WA. After graduation from Richland High School I moved to Tulsa OK to begin my aviation career. After receiving my primary instruction there I returned to Richland to complete my training at Bergstrom Aircraft Inc. earning my Instrument, Commercial, and CFI. I received my multi-engine commercial instrument add-on in Salem OR. I’m currently a student at Washington State University.

I work at Kadlec Medical Center in Nutrition Services delivering patient food tray’s, and as a line cook during the 3rd shift. During orientation I met my wife, and we soon started our family with the purchase of our yellow lab Floyd, and we married in September of 2007.

I enjoy distance cycling, and have cycled around Glacier National Park, and have done the Seattle to Portland bike ride, and have toured half of the Oregon coast. During the winter months I keep busy snow skiing around the Northwest. I play trombone, and bass trombone, which I was a member of Swing Unlimited jazz band, and Columbia Basin College Jazz Ensemble.

Ground School Recommendation

I recommend attending Bergstrom Aircraft Inc. ground school. At ground school students will learn aviation theory in a formal setting preparing them for taking the knowledge test.

Ground school will allow the student to be involved with other flight students giving them a broader learning base.

How long have you been instructing at Bergstrom?

I took my very first flight at Bergstrom many years ago in the Beechcraft 77 “Skipper”.

I continued my training in 2006, and now have become a CFI here in 2008.

Ratings

Commercial, Multi-engine, instrument, CFI

Availability

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday