Richard Morey
Rich is a third-generation pilot, FBO operator, and has been flying all his life. His formal training started in 1973 with his first solo on his 16th birthday in 1974. He has over 15,000 hours logged, with over 10,000 hours as a flight instructor. Rich holds a commercial certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings along with his CFI, CFII, and MEI.
As of June 2014, Rich now holds an ATP certificate. He also holds both Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificates with inspection authorization. He has owned and operated Morey Airplane Company since 2002.
Since then, he has also been the airport manager for the Middleton Municipal Airport – Morey Field. He started his aviation career as a lineman, and in the course of his 37 years at Morey Airplane Company, has held literally every job in the company. Besides flying charter, Rich teaches primary and advanced flight instruction as well as tail wheel endorsement.
Harold Green
Harold began flight instructing at the Morey Airplane Company in 1977. He holds a commercial certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings along with CFI, CFII, and MEI.
Harold has logged over 9,500 hours with over 4,600 as an instructor. He focuses on the student’s ability to safely and competently fly an aircraft for pleasure or business which goes above just flying and meeting FAA standards.
Harold initiated the Morey Ground School courses for private and instrument certification and is active in teaching them. He began his flying career as an Airborne Radio Operator in the USAF and obtained his private pilot certificate in an Air Force flying club. All other ratings were achieved at Morey Airplane Company.
For over 10 years, he has used his own airplanes in the progress of his technology-based business, nationwide.
His teaching experience (aside from Morey) includes:
- Technical Instructor School in the USAF.
- 14 years teaching electronics engineering courses for UW Extension Engineering.
- Six years teaching electronics for MATC.
His aerospace experience as an electronics engineer includes working on both spacecraft and aircraft control and reliability issues. He has served on the Technical Policy Committee of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and coordinated activities with RTCA on preparation of DO-178B.
In 2011, Harold was awarded “Flight Instructor of the Year” for Wisconsin by the FAA, honoring the most outstanding individuals those who have served aviation and aviation safety. Green is also a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50+ years of safe flying.
Pete Aarsvold
Pete obtained his private pilot certificate while in college in 1980. He has been flying for fun ever since, having logged 4,500 hours, including 3,550 hours as a flight instructor.
Pete has been teaching at the Morey Airplane Company since 2006. In addition to commercial, instrument and CFI ratings, he holds a commercial glider rating with aero and ground tow endorsements.
Pete loves teaching tail wheel transition to pilots. Two of Pete’s clients had their first flights in their own tail wheel aircraft and went on to earn their private pilot and sport pilot certificates without ever having logged pilot in-command time in a tricycle gear aircraft.
Pete is familiar with sport pilot licensing requirements and can often be found flight training in client-owned light-sport aircraft.
David Blust
David received his CFI certificate in 1992 while studying electrical engineering at MIT. In his twenties, he spent three years rebuilding a 1940 Piper J4A Cub Coupe. After securing FAA approval for a float installation, he flew it extensively around the US and Canada, both on land as a taildragger and on water as a seaplane. Among his favorite aviation adventure memories is re-exploring the water routes of Lewis and Clark by float plane on a trip that started at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base and continued out to Seattle’s Lake Union. He has passed through the Rocky Mountains with 85 horsepower on multiple occasions and wouldn’t recommend it but says those were some of the best flying adventures he’s had.
David holds the following ratings & certifications: Commercial Pilot, CFI, CFII, Advanced Ground Instructor, ASEL, AMEL, ASES, Instrument Airplane
Sara Siddiqui
Though intrigued by airports and airplanes as a kid, and always wanting the window seat on family trips (nothing has changed!), Sara didn’t know that being a pilot was something “normal people” could do. In April 2016, a seemingly casual conversation with a hairdresser led to her discovery flight at Morey Airport and changed the course of her life.
Sara loves to flight instruct and help students work through challenges of flight training. She holds a commercial certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings, along with her CFI and CFII. She is involved with local aviation groups including EAA Chapter 93, WAI Four Lakes Chapter, and the Wisconsin 99s.
Russ Stark
Mehdi Rahimi
Dr. Mehdi is a researcher and lecturer at the University. Because of his flexible schedule, he works as a part-time CFI at Morey. He started learning about flying using different flight simulators many years before even setting foot in an airplane. He completed all of his training in Reno, NV while n college. Studying, working, and flying at the same time made him a good person to talk to about flying lessons on a budget.
Dr. Mehdi immigrated to the U.S. based on the National Interest Waiver program. This gives him a unique perspective on how to teach international students by understanding their particular challenges.
He believes no two students are the same and so the instruction they receive should be customized to them as well. That’s why he always spends extra time learning about his students, their strengths and weaknesses, and especially, their fears!
Dr. Mehdi puts a special focus on safety, he has earned phases two and three of FAA Safety Advanced and Master WINGS, along with being an Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor. He teaches primary and advanced students.
Any evening that he’s not flying, he’s either practicing martial arts or spending time with friends and family.
Gaurav Dogra
Growing up in a remote corner of India, Gaurav always wanted to fly airplanes. It took him 37 years before he found himself at the controls of an airplane. Beginning with an introductory flight at Morey Airplane Company; he truly caught the aviation bug. He obtained his Private Pilot Certificate in 2020 and would go on to obtain his Instrument and CFI certificates through Morey as well.
When not flying, or dreaming about flying, Gaurav works as a manager at a local Biotechnology company. He enjoys volunteering as a pilot for PilotsNPaws, transporting rescue animals of all sorts across the Midwest; and is a senior member with the local Civil Air Patrol Squadron. He also enjoys piloting Young Eagles flights for the EAA and encouraging youth to choose a career in aviation and STEM.
Sam Wiltzius
Bio to follow
Jack White
Jack grew up in Middleton right next to the airport and has been flying since he was 3 months old. He grew up going to air shows and conventions since he was a young boy. He started his flight training at Morey Airplane Company, and then went on to receive professional training at the University of North Dakota. Since then he has returned back to Morey and shares his love and passion of flight through instruction.
When not flying, Jack enjoys spending time with family, hiking, play golf and skiing.
Christy Beneke
As a pilot and homebuilder, Christy’s grandpa introduced her to flying at a young age. Christy started flight lessons when her high school aviation teacher taught her that she could be a pilot and not just a passenger. Christy completed her private pilot and instrument training at the Madison airport. After obtaining a degree in bacteriology from UW Madison, she decided to move away to Phoenix, AZ to complete additional licenses. Christy holds a commercial certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings as well as a gold seal CFI and CFII.
Christy loves teaching her passion of aviation to others. She enjoys witnessing the growth in her students. When she is on the ground you can find her biking, hiking, canoeing or camping with her husband and two sons.