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Mooney Safety Instructors

Improving aviation safety for Mooney pilots

The Mooney Safety Foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of Mooney pilots – all of which share a deep commitment and passion for Mooney aircraft and aviation safety. These Mooney safety instructors, and other regional instructors who meet our stringent criteria, typically conduct the Pilot Proficiency Programs.

Additionally, while our primary mission is to provide instruction through the Pilot Proficiency Programs, we can also connect you with Mooney instructors to satisfy insurance requirements.  So, if you’re buying your first Mooney, contact the Mooney Safety Foundation who will match you with an instructor based upon your geography and requirements OR visit The Mooney Flyer website for a list of Mooney CFIs across the country.

Our Team

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Parvez Dara

ATP, MCFI SEL/MEL with an advanced ground Instructor rating – Parvez is a medical oncologist, was named the Eastern Region CFI of the year in 2007.  Parvez conducts medical safety programs for the FAA’s Wings Programs and is a FAASTeam Rep for the Philadelphia FSDO. He is a former Senior Aviation Medical Examiner in the State of NJ.  Parvez has owned a Mooney M20J and a M20M (Bravo) and currently owns a Bonanza A36.

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State: NJ

Territory: Mid-Atlantic states

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Rob McGuire

Aviation professional with more than 10,000 hours of flight time, including over 8,000 hours in Mooney aircraft. Holds ATP, CFII, CFI, CFI-G, MEI, AGI, IGI flight instructor, and A&P mechanic with inspection authorization certifications, he has broad experience across Mooney models and a strong commitment to pilot proficiency and safety.


Before devoting his work to aviation, Robert spent more than 30 years in information technology. His career included systems architecture, application development, network and infrastructure design, and project leadership for organizations including CSC/DXC, United Technologies, and other major companies. He also worked as a radio announcer at WWUH, bringing communication and broadcasting experience to his work with pilots and the aviation community.

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Home State: FL 
Territory: Southeast states

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Bud Johnson

CFII – Bud is the president of a strategic marketing consulting organization and was formerly a Director of a regional flight school in Connecticut. Bud specializes in teaching in the M20K and has logged more than 1,500 hours in that aircraft.

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Home State: FL
Territory: Southeast states

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Jerry Johnson

CFII SEL/MEL – Jerry retired from IBM and Lockheed-Martin where he held positions in industrial education and management.  His last assignment was in Air Traffic Mgmt in the FAA’s Fort Worth Air Traffic Control Center.  Jerry has experience as an AOPA instructor and in all Mooney models from M10, M18 , M20A thru TN, and M20U and M20V.  Jerry is a FAASTeam Rep for the Ft. Worth FSDO.  He owns a Mooney M20C, M20J, and an Aeronca 7AC.  He has been an instructor for over 25 years with over 13,000 hours and over 5000 hours in Mooneys.  While Jerry is also rated in gliders, he is current in Citation Jets and flies for various corporations in the Fort Worth area.

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Home State: TX
Territory: Southwest states

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Paul Kortopates

Paul Kortopates is a Master Instructor CFI/CFII specializing in Mooneys and Bonanzas.  He has extensive experience instructing in Mooney models C through TN, U & V.  He has worked as an Acclaim instructor for Mooney International in China and has been a MAPA PPP  Instructor since 2008.  

Paul has Mooney flying experience throughout the continental U.S., as well as Alaska, Canada, the Bahamas,  Cuba, Mexico and Central America.  Now retired as chief engineer at a large DOD contractor, he’s a passionate aviation educator.  He serves as the CFI for his local IMC Club chapter, the president of the San Diego Aviation Safety Counselors, and Lead FAASTeam representative.  He is an Aviation Instructor at San Diego Miramar Community College. Paul also works as an A&P/IA with SavvyAviation, acting as their resident expert on Mooneys and turbo charging systems. Paul is married to another pilot and lives in Southern California.

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Home State: CA

Territory: Western states

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Brian Morgan

CFII SEL/MEL – Brian is a Master Army Aviator and Airline Transport Pilot with over 15,000 hours in airplanes and helicopters, including 5,000+ hours of dual given. He holds type ratings in the C-510S, DHC-4, and SD3, with Commercial and Flight Instructor certificates in AMEL, ASEL, and Instrument. Brian’s aviation background includes roles as a UH-1 helicopter mechanic and crew chief, Army maintenance and instructor pilot, and production test pilot for Cessna.

 

He holds a Master’s Degree in Aviation Safety and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Brian is a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, owner of Flying in the Safety Zone (an FAA-accepted training provider for Technically Advanced Aircraft), and has over 30 years of experience in both military and civilian aviation. He is a member of AOPA, NAFI, Cessna Pilots Association, and Quiet Birdmen.

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Home State: MO

Territory: Central states

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Geoff Ried

Geoff is a CFI/CFII specializing in Mooney aircraft and has been a turbocharged Mooney owner/operator for over 17 years.  He has flight instruction experience throughout the continental US and Europe.  He is currently employed by Phillips 66 and has been in the oil and gas industry in various leadership positions for over 22 years and applies his experience working with one of the largest aviation fuel suppliers to his instruction.  Geoff’s holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Tulsa and a master’s degree in economics from Georgetown University..

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Home State: TX

Territory: South Central states

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CONTACT
Lela Hughes
CELL: 210-289-6939
EMAIL: lelahughes49@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: Mooney Safety Foundation

  • Lakeland FL
    Lakeland FL
    Fri, Jan 29
    Jan 29, 2027, 6:00 AM – Jan 31, 2027, 9:00 AM
    Lakeland Linder International Airport, 3900 Don Emerson Dr, Lakeland, FL 33811, USA
    Come and join us for a weekend of Mooney training including ground and flight sessions Qualifying for a FR and an IPC in your ship with our qualified instructors. We do these Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program at varying locations around the country. Click the "Buy Ticket" button for more information.
  • Grand Rapids MI
    Grand Rapids MI
    TBD June 2027 (Not on Sale Yet)
    TBD June 2027 (Not on Sale Yet)
    Gerald R. Ford International Airport, 5500 44th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, USA
    Come and join us for a weekend of Mooney training including ground and flight sessions Qualifying for a FR and an IPC in your ship with our qualified instructors. We do these Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program at varying locations around the country. Click the "Buy Ticket" button for more information.
  • Wichita KS
    Wichita KS
    TBD October 2027 (Not on Sale Yet)
    TBD October 2027 (Not on Sale Yet)
    Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Ai, 2277 Eisenhower Airport Pkwy, Wichita, KS 67209, USA
    Come and join us for a weekend of Mooney training including ground and flight sessions Qualifying for a FR and an IPC in your ship with our qualified instructors. We do these Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program at varying locations around the country. Click the "Buy Ticket" button for more information.
  • Santa Maria CA
    Santa Maria CA
    TBD April 2027 (Not On Sale Yet)
    TBD April 2027 (Not On Sale Yet)
    Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
    Come and join us for a weekend of Mooney training including ground and flight sessions Qualifying for a FR and an IPC in your ship with our qualified instructors. We do these Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program at varying locations around the country. Click the "Buy Ticket" button for more information.
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