BLUE SKIES - Key Persons

Colleen's interest in aviation began at a young age, building model airplanes with her father and using jet controls as the subject of school projects. She earned her Private Pilot license at 17, and her CFII and MEI ratings during college. She worked as a flight instructor until graduation, and then went to work for American Eagle, DHL and a charter aviation company. Her experience includes working as a flight engineer on the B727, and working for the FAA as a general aviation operations inspector. Colleen returned to flight instruction after some years of focus on her family, and she has over a decade of teaching experience. She enjoys creating well organized training materials for her students to help them prepare for their lessons and get the most benefit from their instruction time. Colleen feels there is always something new to learn with every flight, and she especially likes to focus on discussion as a learning method.

Dave Hooper's aviation career began when he was 13 years old. He flew light aircraft throughout high school and college. He has been a resident of the Northwest Suburbs for the past 34 years. He currently holds an ATP certificate and has the following ratings: B-727; B-757; B-767; B-777; CV-240/340/440; N-265. He has commercial privileges for airplane single engine land and holds a Flight Engineer certificate along with a Ground Instructor Advanced Instrument; CFI/A and CFII certificates. Dave entered the USAF in 1970 and has flown the following: T-37; T-38; T-29; T-33; OV-10 while in Thailand as a FAC, and finally the T-39 where he was an IP. He attended the USAF Instrument Pilot Instructor School. Upon leaving the Air Force, he flew a Sabreliner and B-727 for United Technologies Corporation where he was also an instructor. In 1977, he was hired by American Airlines and flew as a FE; FO; Captain and Check Airman both domestically and internationally for 29 years, retiring in 2006. Eventually, he obtained his CFI and CFII and has been instructing part-time at Blue Skies Flying Services.

Jim Fellers began flying at Palwaukee Airport in 1972. After graduating from the University of Illinois, he worked in law enforcement for the Illinois State Police as a sergeant and Crime Scene Investigator. In 1998 he returned to flying to finish his private certificate. He followed with an instrument rating, commercial certificate and CFII. He has been working as a Flight Instructor since 2006. He is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and flies missions for the Coast Guard. He also flies as a Second in Command on Wings of Mercy flights transporting needy patients between hospitals and their homes. Jim lives in Crystal Lake with his wife, Alice. Their son, Henry, attends McHenry County Conservation District. Jim enjoys spending time off with his family, rowing, bicycling, running, motorcycles, old cars, and woodworking.

Marty became interested in flying at age 13 when his father bought a Ryan Navion. He earned his Private Pilot license at 22 years old, and went on to work as an assistant manager of a municipal airport until he obtained his CFI, and then became a full time flight instructor. He started flying for small airlines in 1980, and later worked for American Airlines, flying as Captain on the B737-800, B737 Max and MD-80 aircraft. He has also worked as an Aircraft and Simulator Check Airman/Instructor and Manager of Simulator Flight Training. Marty has type ratings on the B737 and DC-9 (MD-80), and has also flown B727, B737-800, B737 Max, Convair 640, Metroliner and Piper Navaho Chieftain aircraft. His certifications include CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI and ATP Multi Engine. Now retired, he is happy to be teaching again, and enjoys helping his students at Blue Skies achieve their aviation goals.