Instructors

For the most up to date list of the instructors, contact information and availability see this spreadsheet.

Bill Herrick

Bill Herrick used to work for United Airlines as Finance Manager at both Headquarters and the MOC and is a CPA. He currently holds an ATP certificate pilot and acts as the Club’s President, financial planner, and accountant.

In addition to flying and instructing, Bill enjoys traveling, skiing, golfing, and other outdoor activities. Bill holds an ATP certificate, as well as CFI/CFII/MEI instructor ratings.

Tom O'Donnell

Tom has been a part-time Flight and Ground instructor in Bay Area for a number of years and given over 4,000 hours of flight instruction. He holds an Air Transport Rating (ASEL AMEL), Certified Flight Instructor (for single, multi engine airplanes and seaplanes) and Ground Instructor Certificate (Basic, Advanced, Instrument). Tom’s first flight was in a Douglas DC3 and he never forgot it. 30 later he received a Type rating in one. He flew commercially for United Express for 9 years, flying turbo-prop airplanes on the West Coast. He has flown with/for the United Flying Club since 2004..

Colin Renfro

Colin is a CFI & CFII with extensive flight time throughout the west coast. After riding jumpseat in a Swissair MD-11 as a small child, Colin has been hooked on aviation ever since. Before flight Instructing at the United Flying Club, Colin worked on the ramp and Moveteam at United Airlines. In his free time Colin enjoys surfing, skiing, and mountain biking all throughout Northern California.

Colin offers training for Private, Instrument, and commercial ratings. Feel free to reach out for any personalized flight training needs.

Patrick Shea-Burgess

His interest in aviation began at a young age, with his father and two uncles working for United. He continued that passion for aviation through junior college and eventually on to SJSU, completing a degree in aviation with an emphasis in maintenance management and a minor in business. Along the way, he completed his A&P as well as CFI/I. He brings the mix of background and training he has to his lessons to help pilots understand general aviation as best as they can. Outside of flying, he enjoys exploring the hiking trails around him (which are quite fun to then go fly over and see from above).

Ed Abraham

Ed is a Certified Flight Instructor born and raised in the Bay Area. He learned to fly out of the Oakland International Airport and completed his advanced ratings with the United Flying Club while working as a Supervisor for United Airlines. Now a full-time instructor, he believes in quality instruction and emphasizes highly on risk Management and Single-Pilot Crew Resource Management.

Whether you are ready to get started on your private pilot certificate, want to start flying into the clouds, or it's been a while and you want to brush the rust off, feel free to reach out to Ed.

Letitia Zhao

Letitia began her aviation journey as a flight attendant with United Airlines in 2015, where her love for travel and connecting with people from all walks of life truly took flight. Over the years, her interest in flying grew stronger, ultimately inspiring her to take the leap from cabin crew to the cockpit. Now a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII), Letitia is passionate about fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for her students. She provides flight training for Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Commercial Pilot License (CPL).