Richard Morey
Rich is a third-generation pilot, FBO operator, and has been flying all his life. His formal training started in 1973 with his first solo on his 16th birthday in 1974. He has over 15,000 hours logged, with over 10,000 hours as a flight instructor. Rich holds a commercial certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings along with his CFI, CFII, and MEI.
As of June 2014, Rich now holds an ATP certificate. He also holds both Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificates with inspection authorization. He has owned and operated Morey Airplane Company since 2002.
Since then, he has also been the airport manager for the Middleton Municipal Airport – Morey Field. He started his aviation career as a lineman, and in the course of his 37 years at Morey Airplane Company, has held literally every job in the company. Besides flying charter, Rich teaches primary and advanced flight instruction as well as tail wheel endorsement.
Lucia Nieto
After graduating from UW-Madison, Lucia was preparing for law school. However, after her discovery flight, she was immediately hooked by the thrill of flying. She decided to change her career path and go all in on professional piloting. Since then she quickly obtained her certificates and ratings to become a CFI. She has already found a lot of joy and satisfaction in watching her students grow and progress. One of her favorite parts about aviation is the community and the friendships she has made along the way. As a hispanic pilot, she hopes to encourage diversity in the future of aviation.
Aside from instructing, Lucia also loves soccer, the Bucks, ping pong and her family.
Pete Aarsvold
Pete obtained his private pilot certificate while in college in 1980. He has been flying for fun ever since, having logged 4,500 hours, including 3,550 hours as a flight instructor.
Pete has been teaching at the Morey Airplane Company since 2006. In addition to commercial, instrument and CFI ratings, he holds a commercial glider rating with aero and ground tow endorsements.
Pete loves teaching tail wheel transition to pilots. Two of Pete’s clients had their first flights in their own tail wheel aircraft and went on to earn their private pilot and sport pilot certificates without ever having logged pilot in-command time in a tricycle gear aircraft.
Pete is familiar with sport pilot licensing requirements and can often be found flight training in client-owned light-sport aircraft.
David Blust
David received his CFI certificate in 1992 while studying electrical engineering at MIT. In his twenties, he spent three years rebuilding a 1940 Piper J4A Cub Coupe. After securing FAA approval for a float installation, he flew it extensively around the US and Canada, both on land as a taildragger and on water as a seaplane. Among his favorite aviation adventure memories is re-exploring the water routes of Lewis and Clark by float plane on a trip that started at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base and continued out to Seattle’s Lake Union. He has passed through the Rocky Mountains with 85 horsepower on multiple occasions and wouldn’t recommend it but says those were some of the best flying adventures he’s had.
David holds the following ratings & certifications: Commercial Pilot, CFI, CFII, Advanced Ground Instructor, ASEL, AMEL, ASES, Instrument Airplane
Sara Siddiqui
Though intrigued by airports and airplanes as a kid, and always wanting the window seat on family trips (nothing has changed!), Sara didn’t know that being a pilot was something “normal people” could do. In April 2016, a seemingly casual conversation with a hairdresser led to her discovery flight at Morey Airport and changed the course of her life.
Sara loves to flight instruct and help students work through challenges of flight training. She holds a commercial certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings, along with her CFI and CFII. She is involved with local aviation groups including EAA Chapter 93, WAI Four Lakes Chapter, and the Wisconsin 99s.
Mehdi Rahimi
Dr. Mehdi is a researcher and lecturer at the University. Because of his flexible schedule, he works as a part-time CFI at Morey. He started learning about flying using different flight simulators many years before even setting foot in an airplane. He completed all of his training in Reno, NV while n college. Studying, working, and flying at the same time made him a good person to talk to about flying lessons on a budget.
Dr. Mehdi immigrated to the U.S. based on the National Interest Waiver program. This gives him a unique perspective on how to teach international students by understanding their particular challenges.
He believes no two students are the same and so the instruction they receive should be customized to them as well. That’s why he always spends extra time learning about his students, their strengths and weaknesses, and especially, their fears!
Dr. Mehdi puts a special focus on safety, he has earned phases two and three of FAA Safety Advanced and Master WINGS, along with being an Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor. He teaches primary and advanced students.
Any evening that he’s not flying, he’s either practicing martial arts or spending time with friends and family.
Gaurav Dogra
Growing up in a remote corner of India, Gaurav always wanted to fly airplanes. It took him 37 years before he found himself at the controls of an airplane. Beginning with an introductory flight at Morey Airplane Company; he truly caught the aviation bug. He obtained his Private Pilot Certificate in 2020 and would go on to obtain his Instrument and CFI certificates through Morey as well.
When not flying, or dreaming about flying, Gaurav works as a manager at a local Biotechnology company. He enjoys volunteering as a pilot for PilotsNPaws, transporting rescue animals of all sorts across the Midwest; and is a senior member with the local Civil Air Patrol Squadron. He also enjoys piloting Young Eagles flights for the EAA and encouraging youth to choose a career in aviation and STEM.
Sam Wiltzius
Bio forthcoming
Christy Beneke
As a pilot and homebuilder, Christy’s grandpa introduced her to flying at a young age. Christy started flight lessons when her high school aviation teacher taught her that she could be a pilot and not just a passenger. Christy completed her private pilot and instrument training at the Madison airport. After obtaining a degree in bacteriology from UW Madison, she decided to move away to Phoenix, AZ to complete additional licenses. Christy holds a commercial certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings as well as a gold seal CFI and CFII.
Christy loves teaching her passion of aviation to others. She enjoys witnessing the growth in her students. When she is on the ground you can find her biking, hiking, canoeing or camping with her husband and two sons.
Josh Skiba
Josh is a dedicated flight instructor for Morey Airplane Company, known for his passion for aviation and commitment to inspiring future pilots. A graduate of Kent State University’s prestigious flight training program, Josh’s journey into aviation was fueled by the adventurous tales of his grandfather, a former airline pilot whose experiences in the skies left a lasting impression.
With a clear preference for the dynamic environment of the cockpit over a desk job, Josh brings an infectious enthusiasm to each lesson. He believes that flying is not just a mode of transportation but a magical realm that offers endless possibilities for discovery and mastery.
Outside of the cockpit, Josh is an avid enthusiast of active living, often found engaging in activities that keep both mind and body agile. His goal is not only to teach the mechanics of flying but also to instill a lifelong passion for aviation in his students encouraging them to soar beyond the ordinary.
Egor Cheranev
Egor has always had a passion for aviation. Through his learning at Morey Airplane Company, he has worked his way from a student to a flight instructor. Throughout his time at Morey, Egor learned the ins and outs of how different people learn to fly. He is patient and takes many approaches when it comes to teaching. Egor has obtained his private license, instrument, commercial, multi engine, CFI and CFII. His goal is to be personable with every student and available around the clock to help with both flying and ground school. Egor understands and shares the excitement of advancing one’s piloting career and he hopes to each of his students achieve their goals. Long term, Egor sees himself working for a major airline as a commercial pilot.
In his free time he enjoys pickleball, skiing, watching “The Office” and spending time with his girlfriend, friends and family.