Billy Vaughn
Flight School Co-Manager, Master Rated Pilot, Advanced Hang–Gliding Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Rogallo Foundation Historian, 2020 USHPA Instructor of the Year
Billy has been a hang–gliding pilot since 1984 and started instructing in 1985. Billy has flown sites all over the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, but some of his favorite and most memorable flights happened right here on the Outer Banks, where he grew up. Billy is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in English, but still found his way back to hang gliding on the Outer Banks. He is an inspiration to the younger generations of instructors and pilots who look up to him as the “The Modern Father of Hang-Gliding”.
Megan Turner
Flight School Co-Manager and Events Coordinator, Hang–Gliding Instructor
Megan stumbled into the hang–gliding community while she was delivering cookies one night while in college at Virginia Tech, and the rest is history. She then joined the Hang–Gliding Club while at Virginia Tech, where she eventually worked her way up to being Vice President. Megan is a 2018 graduate of VT with a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology and after graduating she started working at Kitty Hawk Kites and has worked her way up to being the Flight School Co-Manager. When in doubt, call and ask for Megan!
Jonny Thompson
Flight Park Manager, Master Rated Pilot, Advanced Hang-Gliding Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Private Pilot, Tug Pilot, FAA Flight Instructor and Examiner, USHPA mentor; Administrator for tandem, aerotow, platform and static launch
Hang glider pilot since 1975, an instructor since 1977. Jon is a member of the US National Sport Class Hang Gliding Team. Jon has flown over 9,000 safe solo and tandem flights. His mustache can sniff out thermals better than most of the local birds, making for a great tug pilot!
Andy Thompson
Tandem Hang-Gliding Instructor
Andy is one of our tandem hang-gliding instructors and he will make sure your experience in the sky is unforgettably exciting. If his long, blonde hair isn’t blowing in your face, you’ll have a great view of the Outer Banks with this awesome tandem pilot! At this point he might as well be a bird, because when he isn’t hang-gliding you can find him somewhere in the sky in either his paraglider, paramotor, or his trike. Come fly with Andy this summer!
Mike “Too-Tall” Pattishall
Tandem Hang-Gliding Instructor
While straining your neck to greet this towering, friendly fellow, you may be surprised to learn the extensive flight experience behind his young visage. Mike has been a tandem instructor since 2013 and is also and experienced paraglider and trike pilot. When he’s not flying in the sky, you may see Mike surfing the waves at the beach, or looking for a ride back to his car after a long downwind kiteboarding session. You won’t forget your aerial tour of the Outer Banks with “Too-Tall”.
Charlie Trossbach
Lead Dune Hang-Gliding Instructor, Tandem Hang-Gliding Instructor
Charlie’s been working on the sand dunes, all the live long day! He took his first hang–gliding lesson when he was 14 and is now entering his 5th summer as a hang–gliding instructor. Recently, Charlie earned his tandem-rating certification and is excited to split his time between our Dune School and Cotton Gin flight park. During the summer if you don’t see Charlie out flying, he is probably out catching some waves or at the skate park. He has a passion for teaching and in the winter–time Charlie swaps his hang–glider for a snowboard and heads out west to continue teaching the world to fly in other ways. Come have a gnarly time flying with Charlie!
Michael Vaughn
Lead Dune Hang-Gliding Instructor
Coming from a long line of hang glider pilots and instructors before him, Michael was born into the hang-gliding community and was destined to become a pilot and instructor himself. Despite having such strong hang-gliding origins, Michael’s first passion was for snowboarding. After becoming a snowboarding instructor, he wanted to be able to teach a sport during the summer months when snowboarding wasn’t an option and thus, he came back to his roots – hang-gliding. Since then, he has made the family name proud by instructing students of all ages and experiences!
Larsen Christiansen
Lead Dune Hang-Gliding Instructor, 2021 KHK Flight School Rookie of the Year
Growing up in the rainy, Pacific Northwest, Larsen quickly learned how to make those dreary Washington days a little bit brighter. This is a skill he carried across the country with him and continues to implement today! Whether it’s his personality or his colorful and eccentric outfits, Larsen will no doubt brighten your day! Come fly with Larsen and make sure you catch him on Romper Friday’s!
Jude Denton
Lead Dune Hang-Gliding Instructor
Jude “The Dude” Denton is a flying machine! Not only does he fly hang gliders, but he also loves flying through the sky while skydiving, as well as flying down the road in a firetruck when he is volunteering as a firefighter. Make sure you sing “Hey Jude!” to him when you greet him – he loves when people do that because as his name suggests, he is The Beatles #1 FAN! Come fly with Jude for a one of a kind experience!
Braden Yundak-Moran
Dune Hang-Gliding Instructor
Born and raised in central Minnesota, Braden (a.k.a. Brad) grew up with a love for the great outdoors. Some of his favorite outdoor hobbies include snowboarding, ziplining, and teaching hang gliding in his khakis. Make sure you wear your khakis when you come fly with Brad for a more classy hang gliding experience!
David Schechter
Lead Dune Hang-Gliding Instructor
David hails from Baltimore, MD where he competes as a D1 athlete on the Loyola University Maryland rowing team. David took a tandem hang gliding flight at the Cotton Gin with “Lucky Luke McFly” back in 2020 and the rest is history. When he’s not on the sand dunes hauling gliders, you can find him at the gym or on a long pleasant hike. Come fly with David (he never skips leg day)!
Pilot
Flight School Greeter
From a little pup, Pilot was born and raised in the hang gliding world. As such, she was a natural born pilot, rightfully earning her name as she has been on many flying adventures. She is an adventurous outdoor pup that loves flying, hikes, and swimming in the ocean! Come say hi to Pilot!