MEET THE TEAM

Wayne Foss began flying helicopters in the Army in 1970​, deploying to Vietnam and later obtaining his civilian ratings in helicopters and airplanes. He attended the University of Houston while flying charter and flight instructing. After college, Wayne worked as a CPA for one of the world's largest firms and flew corporate on the side. In 1999, he semi-retired and went back to flying as his primary pursuit, including instructing, contract flying for the State of Texas, and then flying EMS helicopters in the mountains of Arizona. In 2001, Wayne began working for Evergreen International Helicopters, Inc, flying both helicopters and airplanes in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010, he became the Program Manager/Lead Pilot/Instructor for the first major civilian search and rescue/EMS operation for Era in the Gulf of Mexico, setting up a 24/7/365 operation covering the entire Gulf Coast. He also flew and instructed in Brazil and Argentina teaching SAR/EMS operations. He became an instructor for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2016. Wayne is now the general manager and chief flight instructor for Knoxville Flight Training Academy.  He has accumulated over 13,000 accident-free flight hours in helicopters and airplanes and over 3,000 hours instructing. 

Norm started growing up in the piedmont region of North Carolina before his family moved to Montana where he still has family ties.  He's really a Southern Boy so when he retired from his second career he came back home and nailed his feet to the ground (credit to Lewis Grizzard).  He's proud to be a part of a first rate flight training school.

Norm is a retired US Army pilot and a retired Ex-Con United Airlines Captain with more than 24,000 hours total time including about 2,000 hours in helicopters.  He holds an ATP with type ratings in B-737, B-757 and B-767.  He has commercial privileges in single engine airplanes and helicopters with a helicopter instrument rating.  He is a single and multi-engine airplane instrument instructor and is currently working on his helicopter instructor rating.

Jake Todd grew up north of Knoxville in the town of Helenwood, TN. Jake attended college at Middle Tennessee State University where he obtained a bachelor’s in aerospace along with his Private Pilot’s certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot’s certificate, Multi-Engine add-on, and Certified Flight Instructor certificate. Jake’s goal is to one day fly cargo operations for FedEx. Aside from flying, Jake is very active in his local church, enjoys dirt bike riding, and spending time with his family. Jake strives to help his students become safe, proficient pilots and help lead them on to a lifelong love for aviation.
 

Hunter Jensen is a local from East Tennessee who grew up in Halls, Tennessee. He garnered an interest in aviation from his grandfather who was involved in General Aviation. Hunter completed his Private Pilot License here with Knoxville Flight Academy and went on to complete his training with ATP flight school in Nashville were he completed his Instrument, Commercial single and Multi-Engine add-on, CFI, CFII and Multi-Engine Instructor license. Hunter enjoys building a passion for flying in his students and helping them pursue their aviation goals. In addition to flying Hunter is a big college football fan and enjoys fishing and hiking in the Smokey Mountain National park.  

Cade Price was born and raised in East Tennessee, grew up in Maryville. Cade did his training at American Flyers in Pompano Beach, Florida. He earned his Private, instrument, commercial, multi engine, CFI and CFI-I while attending flyers. Cade enjoys spending time with his family as well as hiking in the smokies. Cade hopes to spread his aviation passion down to his students to make safe, proficient pilots as they reach their aviation goals. 

Corbin Price was born and raised in East Tennessee, grew up in Maryville and attended Maryville High School. Corbin did his training at American Flyers in Pompano Beach, Florida. He earned his Private, instrument, commercial, multi engine, CFI and CFI-I while attending flyers. Corbin enjoys spending time with his family as well as being outdoors and playing sports outside. With Corbin’s love of flying, he hopes to pass down that knowledge to his students to enhance their flying experience and assist in reach their goals. 

Thomas Bean was born and grew up in the United Kingdom. Thomas attained his Private Pilot License whilst at University in the UK before achieving his Instrument Rating, Commercial and Flight Instructor Certificates in Florida. Outside of flying Thomas enjoys shooting as he once worked in a firearm retailer, supporting his favorite soccer team Manchester United and spending time with his friends. When Thomas is not flying the rich and famous around on a Hawker 800XP he loves to show people the Discover the Great Smoky Mountains  discovery flight as he talks about the rich history of the areas.
 

Richard is originally from Spokane, Washington. He is a retired veteran who served overseas for over 14 years in Germany. When he got out of the military he pursued his pilot license. His first transport pilot position was as the PIC on the Saab 340 B. He then became the owner of a flight school in Orlando, Florida for a couple of years. From there Richard became a transport pilot for a large commuter airline that is subcontract to Delta, United and American. He was the PIC on the Saab 340 A and the Embraers 170/190. Rich’s skills include ATP, CFII, MEI, Drone Pilot. He has logged over 28,000 Flight Hours, 17,200 Turbine Hours and has given over 7,500 Instruction Hours.

Richard moved to the Knoxville area to be closer to where his wife’s family has resided in the Smoky Mountains since the Colonial Times. He has two grown daughters who reside in Arizona and Michigan. He just became a proud grandpa last Winter. His passion for flying is very evident to all of his students. 

Dawson Biddle is an East Tennessee native who grew up in Seymour, Tennessee. His passion for flying began when he enlisted in the Air National Guard as an avionics technician. Dawson completed his flight training in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with Middle Tennessee State University. At MTSU, he earned his private pilot’s license, instrument rating, commercial pilot’s license, multi-engine rating, and certified flight instructor license along with a Professional Pilot bachelor’s degree. Outside of flying, Dawson’s passions include following Jesus and being involved with his local church, graphic designing for his aviation apparel side-business, playing acoustic guitar, and hiking. Dawson is dedicated to his students’ success. He seeks to grow his students’ passion for aviation while helping them achieve their aviation dreams in a safe, professional, and timely manner. 

Dawson currently flies PC-12 aircraft for PlaneSense Inc. full-time. He also does stage checks, remote ground instruction, and manages our social media on a part-time basis!