CP Aviation - Instructor Bios

Mark R King

Master CFI-Aerobatic, CFI, CFII, Gold Seal AGI

Mark King, Master Certified Flight Instructor with a Gold Seal-Aerobatic, CFI- Instrument, Advanced and Instrument ground instructor, is a southern California native who was born into an aviation family and began flying in 1974. Mark has extensive experience flying in Alaska in a turboprop Quest Kodiak, has over 1000 hours flying the Beechcraft Bonanza and is G1000 qualified.

He is a member of the Society of Aviation Flight Educators (SAFE) and the North American T6 formation group called the Condor Squadron. He teaches Private Pilots, Instrument, Commercial, Tailwheel, Emergency Maneuver Training, and Aerobatics.

Rochelle Oslick

Master CFI-Aerobatic, CFI

Rochelle Oslick, Master Certificated Flight Instructor-Aerobatic, CFI, began flying in 1984, at the Edwards AFB Flying Club, while she was stationed there as a USAF Flight Test Engineer. Shortly after earning her private pilot license, Rochelle started flying tailwheel/aerobatic airplanes at Santa Paula Airport, which quickly became her favorite airport. As an aerospace engineer, several job changes, from the USAF, to Lockheed in Burbank, to Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, and finally to The Boeing Company in Seattle, led her to base her flying from other airports in southern California and in western Washington. Along the way, Rochelle earned her Instrument and Commercial ratings, and then CFI, and started flight instructing part-time, specializing in tailwheel and aerobatic airplanes, in the Seattle area. After retiring from Boeing, Rochelle moved back south, to Ventura County, and is flight instructing at CP Aviation, at her favorite airport, teaching Private Pilots, Tailwheel, Spins, Emergency Maneuver Training, and Aerobatics. She is a member of SAFE, IAC, Ninety-nines International Organization of Women Pilots, Women in Aviation International, and AOPA.

Stephanie Robinson

CFI

Stephanie Robinson is a first generation pilot who took her first flight lesson at age 12, only to pick up flight training again at long last at age 39, fulfilling a lifelong dream! She has completed all of her training at CP Aviation, mentored by Judy Phelps, with the goal of becoming a lifelong flight instructor. Her background is in academia; she holds a PhD from the University of California, San Diego (2005), and taught at the college/university level for over 18 years (UC San Diego, San Diego City College, Smith College, Amherst College). Flight instruction has turned out to be the perfect combination of her two greatest loves - education and aviation.

Stephanie is an active member of the Ventura County 99s, currently serving on the board as Vice-Chair. She is also the proud owner of a 1946 Luscombe 8E, which she flies regularly at Santa Paula Airport.

She is available for Private or Commercial instruction every Sunday through Wednesday.

Joey Menke

CFI, CFII

Joey Menke is a first-generation pilot who formed a passion for aviation from having the privilege to travel frequently as a child, and seeing the world that aviation opened up. He grew up in Arizona, and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Arizona in Tucson. After a career working as an Emergency Medical Technician he knew he wanted to make a change and pursue his dream career as a pilot.  He took his first flight lessons at age 16, but did not have the chance to start obtaining his certificates until almost a decade later. He went on to complete Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI all in the Southern Arizona region.  

During his free time, Joey enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Joey is available for Private and Commercial

Chad Nealon

CFI

Chad Nealon is a first-generation pilot, who discovered his passion for aviation while studying at Northern Arizona University. Born and raised in Ventura County he can never resist the urge to look up whenever he hears the hum of an airplane overhead. Besides flying with family and friends, Chad enjoys going to the beach, playing golf, and spending time in the mountains. 

Chad is available to teach for Private and Commercial Certificates. 

Willie Bowmar

CFI, CFII

Willie is a CFII with a gold seal from the FAA.  He is a third generation pilot with goals of flying in the Alaskan bush.  He has diverse experience in the fields of manufacturing, transportation, and tourism.  In his free time he likes to fly, travel, spend time in nature, and enjoy the arts, both on his own and in the company of friends. 

He is available most days for training at all levels, private through commercial, with emphasis on instrument and tailwheel training.

Nick Eberle

CFI, CFII, MEI

Nick is a Southern California local whose passion for aviation got an early start.  Having grown up flying with his father right around the corner out of Camarillo, he has been exposed to general aviation for over 20 years. He attained his Tailwheel endorsement here at CP, completed his Private-Instrument- Commercial Training out of Camarillo, and CFI/Instrument Instructor/Multi-Engine Instructor Certificates throughout the Southern California region.

Prior to shifting his sights to a career in  aviation, Nick achieved a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of California Santa Cruz, Emergency Medical Technician certification from UCLA, worked as Senior Nursery Technician at University of California Berkeley, traveled through Europe and climbed big walls in Yosemite National park, all of which led him to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. With his background in teaching rock climbing, zip lining and music Nick has helped  people overcome their fears and achieve their goals in various mediums of life and is ready to share his passion for aviation and help you become the best pilot you can be. 

When he’s not in the skies, Nick likes to go backpacking, rock climbing, fly fishing, work on motorcycles, trucks, and play music. 

Nick is available for Private, Instrument, and Commercial

Cody McGraw

CFI, CFII, MEI

Cody is a SoCal native and his love for aviation sparked while in school at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. While at the time not driven to making it a career, he found that the cockpit would be the best office. Having a strong background in teaching from coaching youth sports, tutoring and ultimately instructing learners how to fly since 2022 he is capable and eager to help you reach your goals. 

Cody is available for Private, Instrument, and Commercial instruction. 

Alessandra Rizzo

CFI, CFII

Alessandra is a third-generation pilot with aviation roots on both sides of her family. She has commercial certificates for both single and multiengine planes and is tailwheel endorsed. She started flying during her first year at Cal Poly while studying Biochemistry and earned her CFII just before graduating in 2024. Whether it’s a quick trip to New Cuyama for breakfast in her grandfather’s Cessna 180, or a lunch flyout with friends, she is always on the lookout for a chance to fly to great airport restaurants with cheap gas and lively company.

She is an active member of the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of the 99s, and an alumni member of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Aviation Club.

During her free time, she likes to bother people who leave their hangar doors open (especially if they have a pot of coffee on), read, play the piano, and garden.

Alessandra is available for Private, Instrument, and Commercial Instruction.

Bodhi McDonald

CFI, CFII

Bodhi is a Humboldt County native and a resurrected generation of pilot with the spirit of his great-grandfather who flew the C-47 Skytrain “over the hump” in WWII.  He discovered his love of flight when a friend (who learned to fly at CP Aviation) took him flying in his Cessna 180. Soon after, Bodhi took an intro flight (aka discovery flight) in 2022 at CP Aviation and was convinced this was the path he wanted to follow. He earned his Private Pilot certificate followed by his instrument rating, commercial pilot and flight instructor ratings all right here at CP Aviation.

Bodhi seeks to be the most proficient and knowledgeable pilot he can possibly be and is excited to extend those learnings to others desiring to take to the sky.

When not flying, Bodhi enjoys reading science fiction novels, surfing, backpacking, riding dirt bikes and playing chess.

Adam Jones

CFI, CFII

Adam is a first generation pilot who was born and raised in Ventura County. His passion for aviation was sparked when his dad’s friend took him up in a World War II trainer aircraft. From there, he couldn’t stop looking at the sky and wondering when it would be his turn. He then went on to earn all of his flying certificates at CP Aviation. Adam has completed the Emergency Maneuver Training course and is also an experienced tailwheel pilot. On the side, he helps run his family business, and is also a pilot for a local Aerial Survey company. 

In his free time, Adam likes to drink lots of coffee, go on walks with his dog, and think about how he is going to reach his next goal. 

Adam is available all day to teach Private, Instrument Rating, and Commercial.

Deriene Nickisch

CFI

Deriene is a fourth generation pilot on both sides of her family and has spent her whole life in aviation. She was born and raised in Northern Alaska but came to California seeking a little more sunshine in her life. She loves to spend time in Alaska flying her family’s Piper Super cub and her great Grandfather’s Stinson 108-3, building her tailwheel and mountain flying skills. She completed some of her training at CP and some back home in Alaska with her dad.

When Deriene isn’t flying you can find her hiking with her dog Poppy, reading, sewing or baking.

Dylan Haerle

CFI, CFII

Dylan is a SoCal native and a first-generation aviator completing his training at CAE Phoenix. Prior to CP,  Dylan was a ferry pilot flying over 15 different makes and models with lots of cross-country experience. His love for flying stems from a 5 year flight attendant career with much of his time spent traveling the world.

When he’s not in a plane you can find him surfing, snowboarding, and rock climbing.

Rigo Gomez

CFI, CFII

Rigo was born and raised in Southern California. He earned a BA in Geography from Cal Poly Humboldt in Northern California and worked as a Map Editor for Apple Maps after college. Although he enjoyed life as a Geographer, he knew he couldn’t give up on his childhood dream of becoming a pilot and decided to switch careers a year shy of thirty. 

He discovered CP Aviation through reading Learn to Turn by Rich Stowell. He completed his Private, Tailwheel, and Emergency Maneuver Training at CP Aviation and earned the rest of his advanced ratings in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a full-time instructor, Rigo is dedicated to helping pilots build confidence, competence, and a lifelong love for flying. 

Outside of flying, some of Rigo’s favorite memories include: biking up the California coast, climbing Mt. Whitney, traveling abroad, and sharing quality time with friends and family.