BAS Flight School

Meet the Instructor

Biographies:

Jeff Eriksen, Chief Flight Instructor
In 1997, Jeff graduated from Moody Aviation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Missionary Aviation Technology. He holds a commercial pilot license with single and multi engine land, single engine sea, and instrument ratings. He teaches in both single and multi engine aircraft. Jeff holds a Cessna 525 type-rating with single pilot exemption and regularly crews a locally-based Cessna CJ2. He is also an A+P. Jeff has flown throughout the country. Prior to taking on his current role at BAS, he was a line pilot for Island Air, a Friday Harbor-based charter airline. This area presents unique challenges and Jeff’s wealth of local knowledge has proven to be invaluable to his students.

Dennis Smith, Flight Instructor
Dennis earned his private pilot license in Minnesota more than 30 years ago. In 1978, he moved with his family to Whatcom County and added a commercial license, an instrument rating, and flight instructor certificates while training at Cascade Flight School here in Bellingham. After a hiatus from the industry to raise his family, Dennis returned to flying in earnest in 2006. In 2008, he retired from Verizon Communications and has been instructing in Bellingham and Everett since. He has a diagnostician’s eye and can zero in on the root cause of a flying deficiency. He is committed to precision and professionalism. He loves to fly and loves to introduce others to the wonders of it.