Flight Instructors
Tom Bowen (CFII)
• Private Pilot • Tailwheel Rating • Spin/Upset Attitude Training • Aerobatic Training • Instrument Rating • Commercial Rating • CFI Training
Tom’s parents allowed him to explore his interest in aviation at a early age. Sitting in the pilot seat of a Piper Tomahawk at age 11 for the first time, and soloing at age 17. He then followed his love for the outdoors and adventure through rock climbing and kayaking throughout the country in the summers while completing his BS in Environmental Science concentrating in GIS at UTC.
He then spent 13 years working for a local municipality. During these years he opened a underground utility inspection service. 20 years after first soloing he wandered into the Hixson Aviation office to discuss with Mark and Bill his interest in using Aviation for Missions or Humanitarian work and has now found himself working as a CFI here at Hixson.
All Tom’s ratings have been earned at Hixson Aviation, IT CAN BE DONE!!!!!!
These days if you don’t find Tom instructing you will find him enjoying aerobatics in the Super Decathlon, out getting exercise on his bicycle, or enjoying some quality time with his wife.
First lesson through aerobatics!
Jason Odom (CFII, AGI)
Private Pilot – Instrument Rating – Commercial Rating – Multi-engine – Flight Instructor
Jason is now a DPE, he is no longer doing flight instruction but is still affiliated with Hixson Aviation.
Jason was raised in Trenton Ga only 25 minutes south of Chattanooga. He is a retired Air Force C-130 Flight Engineer who served on active duty from 1995-2017. His career started out as a crew chief on the mighty B-52 Stratofortress. He soon decided that he might want to fly on aircraft instead of work on them. He started his career as a Flight Engineer in 1998 where he moved from Barksdale AFB LA to Pope AFB NC. While at Pope AFB, Jason became a Flight Instructor only a year and a half later and realized that he loved to teach. He earned his Master Instructor Certification in 2010 while stationed at Little Rock AFB. He has been stationed at five different locations including Tokyo Japan, Little Rock Arkansas, and at Scott AFB IL. His AF career came to an end at Scott AFB where he had the pleasure of being one of the lead command flight engineer examiners. He amassed over 5300 flight hours with over 650 combat hours in the almost 19 years of flying.
He started his pilot flying career while in Tokyo Japan in 2012 and then after a delay in training finished his Private Pilot certification in June 2016 while at Scott AFB IL. He quickly built experience by joining the Civil Air Patrol and completing his CFI in May 2018. After retirement Jason moved back to the Chattanooga area where he started flying as a CFI at Hixson Aviation in November 2018.
Hixson Aviation wants to congratulate Jason Odom for recently becoming a DPE. As most of you already know, Jason has instructed with us for years and has become an integral part of the service we provide. Although he will be missed as an instructor and mentor we are happy for him and wish him the best in his new endeavor! Thank you, Jason!
Luke Bussey
Hello, my name is Luke. I started flying as a senior in high school at Hixson Aviation where I obtained my PPL. I then attended MTSU where I got my instrument, commercial, and multi ratings. I really enjoy flying as well as anything sports related. I’m now a flight instructor and I hope to be able to fly with as many people as I can!
Nancy Riley
Nancy was first introduced to aviation when her dad took her and brother to air shows every summer as kids. Her aunt and uncle owned a Skyhawk and took her up a few times and that kick started the idea of maybe getting a pilots license one day.
However, life happens. She went to college and graduated with a degree in graphic design then focused on her own business as an antique dealer for many years, but the dream of being a pilot was always in the back of her mind. Somewhere in the middle of that, she had a discovery flight with hixson aviation as a birthday gift and learned about part 61 school and the flexibility to learn at her own pace.
At the start of her flight training in 2020, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in aviation and finished all her training with Hixson Aviation and eager to share her love of aviation with future pilots.
Lance Robbins
Lance began his aviation journey as a teenager in South Carolina in the mid-1990, however this ultimately only served as an introduction to the sky and he ended up pausing his training after soloing. After a series of life events, he found himself in Chattanooga TN in 2005.
Following an unfulfilling decade in the Health Care Administration he became a flight attendant for PSA Airlines in 2015. This afforded him the opportunity to spend time with a lot of time with pilots many of whom were very encouraging and offering a wealth of information as to how to purse his passion for flying.
In 2017 he began training at Hixson Aviation. He obtained his instrument, commercial and CFI at Hixson Aviation. He began instructing in August of 2023. He also has his multi-engine certificate.
Zoe Krohne
Private Pilot – Instrument Rating – Commercial Rating – Flight Instructor – Instrument Flight Instructor
Born and raised on a small farm in Eastern Kentucky, Zoe grew up with flight as an impossible dream. In 2005, she moved to Collegedale and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. After starting their careers locally, her and her husband Andrew began contributing to the community by volunteering for Tri-Community Fire Department. Eventually, she discovered that several of her friends at the fire department had their private pilot’s license. They encouraged Zoe that flying was a realistic and achievable goal.
In 2019, Zoe started turning her dreams into reality by beginning flight training here at Hixson Aviation. Initially, it was just a fun hobby. However, Zoe found herself wanting to be in the sky more and more often. Even after an epic two week coast to coast solo trip in her cramped Cessna 150, she was immediately eager for her next flight. She decided to follow her passion and turn the love of aviation into a second career. Passing her CFI checkride on her 1000th hour of flying, Zoe has returned to Hixson Aviation as a flight instructor to share her passion with others.
In addition to flying solo or with her husband of 15 years, Zoe also enjoys spending time in nature; hiking, running, biking, and swimming. However, if you catch her on a long cross country you’ll likely find her unicycle in the airplane too. She finds it’s the best way to enjoy biking trails here, there, and everywhere.
Raiko Valdes
Congratulations on becoming a CFI!!
Great job!
He is on the schedule now at Hixson Aviation so come fly with him soon.
Mikey Weathers
Bio coming soon!