Leadership Team
Aviation faculty and staff have offices at the Flight Operations Center and on the main Westminster campus. We work from both locations to assist students in meeting their educational and flight training goals.
Main Campus
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Gerry Fairbairn - Aviation Department Chair
Phone: (801) 832-2666
Education: B.S. Aeronatuical Operations, San Jose State University; M.S. Management, San Diego State University; Ph.D. Business Administration, Santa Clara University.
Hobbies: Bicycling, skiing, motorcycle touring, computer programming, and video editing.
Advice: Use your superior judgement to avoid having to demonstrate your exceptional flying skills.
Link to college directory
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Gail Avendano - Director of Aviation Student Support, Testing Center Supervisor, and Associate Instructor
Phone: (801) 832-2671
Education: B.A. English/Teaching, Montana State University; M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Westminster College
Hometown: Bozeman, MT
About Me: I started working at Westminster when we began our flight operations program in 2000. I enjoy all of the different ways I get to work with students. Westminster is a dynamic, energetic, place and I love it.
Hobbies: running, traveling, and getting my teenagers to do chores
Favorite Restaurant: Yellowfin--within walking distance of campus. Great Asian-inspired food and top notch sushi.
Advice for new aviation students: Regularly read your college email, get involved in clubs and organizations, and plan on doing at least one--or more--internships before you graduate.
Link to college directory.
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Bill Ogilvie - Aviation Instructor, Advanced Course Leader
Phone: (801) 832-2626
Education: B.S. Political Science, Weber State; M.A. in Business Management
Flying Experience: ATP with type ratings in Lear Jets, Boeing 737, and a L-382 (C-130). Flight Instructor Certificate for single engine airplane, multi engine airplane and instrument airplane. Flight Instructor glider rating.
About Me: I earned my Private Pilot certificate the summer I graduated from Highland High School in Salt Lake City. After college I was commissioned in the US Air Force and trained as a C-130 Test Program Navigator. I worked as a special test programs navigator in the development of the Air Launched Cruise Missle at Hill AFB, Utah for four years and was rewarded for my work with a pilot training assignment in 1982.
After pilot training I completed a 24 1/2 year career in the US Air Force and retired in 2002. I spent my career flying weather reconnaissance in the WC-130H, air taxi service for senior government officials and military leaders in the Lear 35A/C-21A, electronic warfare and signals intelligence in the EC-130H, and air transport of oversized and heavy cargo in the C-5 Galaxy. My BS in Political Science served me well as an aircraft accident investigator and my MA in Business Management gave me the foundation to manage major projects throughout my career, including directing the Travis Air Force Base Air Show in 2000.
Hobbies: Bicycle touring, model airplane flying, camping, and glider soaring.
Link to college directory
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Flight Operations Center
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Lance Vaculin - Director of Flight Operations, Master CFI, Associate Instructor
Phone: (801) 832-2923
Education: M.Ed. Westminster College
Hometown: Silver City, NM
About Me: I started instructing in 2002 at Skypark in Bountiful, Utah and served as their Chief Flight Instructor before coming to Westminster. I am very excited about being part of an outstanding program here at Westminster.
Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy wakeboarding and anything to do with the outdoors.
Link to college directory
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Julie Paasch - Director of Flight Education, Chief Flight Instructor, Master CFI, Course Leader for Multi-Engine and Flight Instructor Courses, Associate Instructor
Phone: (801) 832-2920
Education: B.S. Aeronautics, University of North Dakota: M.Ed. Westminster College.
Hometown: Minnetonka, MN
About Me: I moved to Salt Lake City in 2005 when my husband was hired as a First Officer for SkyWest Airlines. I've had a variety of flight instructing experiences around the country including UND, Virginia, and Utah. Most recently, I was flying single pilot 135 operations in a Chieftain for a small freight company in Utah and flying as a First Officer in a Cessna Citation II.
Hobbies: In my spare time you can find me climbing, kayaking, snowboarding, or biking in the Wasatch Range. In college I played soccer and was on the track team.
Link to college directory
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Brandon McQueen - Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Safety Officer, PIC Development and Intermediate Course Leader, Associate Instructor
Phone: (801) 832-2668
Education: B.S. Aviation Technology, Utah State University
Hometown: I grew up in Idaho, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Utah
Hobbies: I like biking, kayaking, skiing, and climbing.
Link to college directory
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Sunny Jones - Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Foundations Course Leader, Associate Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI
Phone: (801) 832-2918
Education: B.S. Westminster College, M.Ed. Colorado State University
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
About Me: I enjoy working with students, the Westminster culture, and the mountains.
I jumped into aviation without any prior knowledge and after earning my Private Pilot Certificate decided it was a career track I wanted to pursue. I earned an Associates degree in aviation and was a flight instructor for two years while completing my Bachelor's degree in Business Management at Westminster College. In 2005, I made the leap to the airlines and for six years flew for SkyWest on the Embrear Brasillia and Canadair Regional Jet.
I loved flying the Brasillia up and down the Pacific Coast and specifically enjoyed visiting Victoria, Canada and Niagra Falls. My favorite airport to fly into is San Francisco International Airport on either a sunny or foggy day.
I have now decided to pursue another passion in education. I am excited to be back at Westminster College as an Assistant Chief Flight Instructor and hope to share my knowledge and experience with students and fellow instructors.
Link to college directory
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