ProMark Aviation - About
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ken_and_cub_5x5Ken Wittekiend, Jr.

Ken Wittekiend is a professional instrument flight instructor, aircraft owner and founder of ProMark Aviation Services, a flight training and air tour company based in Burnet, TX.

Ken is a commercial pilot with over 9000 hours of experience in a wide variety of general aviation aircraft. He began flying in 1970 while attending the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, Ken purchased a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub with no brakes and no electrical system. In fact, this was the airplane he soloed in. By 1974, Ken had added a Certified Flight Instructor certificate and instrument rating. A series of flying jobs followed including Part 135 Air Charter, banner towing, air hearse and air ambulance work, along with a steady schedule of flight instructing.

After a move to Houston, and a career in retail marketing and advertising, Ken joined his wife Judy’s successful retail service company. In 1995, Ken purchased a 1976 Beechcraft Bonanza. During the next 10 years they flew the bonanza from coast to coast and from Mexico to Canada for both business and pleasure.

Ken gradually came to recognize that that many pilots do not have an easy or effective way to gain the additional knowledge and training necessary to fly safely and confidently especially when operating single pilot IFR. The need for a more effective continuing education program for pilots was becoming more evident.

In 2001, Ken returned to central Texas and began to develop an advanced training program to provide the additional knowledge and skill that pilots could use to improve aviation safety through continuing education. He established a flight training company to provide beginners and accomplished pilots a better way to learn the critical skills and knowledge necessary to fly safely and confidently. Today, Ken provides a wide range of training services, with emphasis on single pilot IFR, fundamental maneuvering skills and tailwheel training. www.promarkaviation.net

In October, 2006, and again in 2008, Ken was selected as a Master CFI by the National Association of Flight Instructors. Only approximately 26 Flight Instructors in Texas have earned this recognition as one of these teaching professionals.

Ken serves as a FAASTeam representative for the Federal Aviation Administration, helping pilots by conducting seminars and counseling activities to reduce accidents and improve pilot safety practices.

Ken is a frequent contributor to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s magazine and the Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Report.

In 2008, Ken qualified as a “Gold Seal” Certificated Flight Instructor. This is issued to instructors with a high level of activity and who meet certain criteria for ratings and certificates.

In February, 2009, Ken was selected as the Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year for the FAA Southwest Region.

 

In May, 2009, Ken joined the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) www.safepilots.org as a charter member. SAFE is a member oriented organization of aviation educators which fosters professionalism and excellence in aviation through continuing education, professional standards, and industry accreditation. Ken chairs the SAFE Communications committee. 

Ken is a dedicated teacher, and a staunch advocate for general aviation safety and a student of all things IFR.

Ken and his wife Judy live along with two sons, three dogs, multiple cats and two airplanes on 9 acres under the approach to runway 01 at the Burnet Texas municipal airport (BMQ).

 

 

 

 

rebecca-ae-pic06-002Rebecca Hempel

My life in aviation began in 1992 when I took my first lesson shortly after my birthday in September that year.  I obtained my PVT in May 1993.  I was working as a Physician Assistant for an Orthopedic Surgeon at that time.  He owned a beautiful A-36 Bonanza at the time so I got lots of quality stick time outside of my own lessons.  At the time I found flying to be a great way to relax outside of a stressful medical practice and a place that I could just be "by myself."  What I didn't realize immediately was what it did for my self confidence and self esteem.  All the sudden I had a whole new world to explore and a whole new group of amazing friends!

I was soon realizing medicine was not turning out to be all that I had envisioned and after several jobs (tailored around a schedule that would fit my flight training schedule!) I decided to make a commitment to leave medicine and fly full time.  Along the way I took an unconventional way to time build by flying numerous air races over a few years including the Air Race Classic, US Air Race, Great Southern Air Race, Caribbean Air Race, Nebraska Make A Wish Race, and the Great Hawaiian Air Race. I flew my first air race with just over 100 hours in my log book!  What a great way to see the US among other places as well as put time in my logbook.  Thanks to two Amelia Earhart Scholarships in 1998 and 2006, (for my SE COMM and MEI respectively) I have completed all my Flight Instructor ratings and my ATP. Now, having flight instructed, flown charter and worked for FlexJet based in Dallas, TX where I was flying the Challenger 605, I am enjoying being back into the grass roots of aviation - giving instruction.  One of the greatest aspects of my job is watching students experience that "a ha moment" and really find the fun and joy of flying.

Rebecca serves as a FAASTeam member for the San Antonio FSDO. She is an active member of Women in Aviation and the 99's. Currently, she is helping to develop scenarios for the ProMark syllabus and training programs for the Remos GX. She is actively working on her Master CFI accreditation as well.

 

 

img_0719Tres Clinton

Tres Clinton has joined ProMark Aviation Services as our newest instructor. Tres has been instructing with the University of Oklahoma's Department of Aviation, working with students who are pursuing an aviation degree. He has decided to return to his hometown of Burnet and join our flight training program. Tres graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management. While attending OU, he served on the Student Advisory Board. Tres received the Arinc Scholarship, which was the largest departmental scholarship awarded. Tres is excited to be associated with a flight training program that features scenario based training. He realizes the importance of training pilots in proper decision making as well as basic piloting skills. Tres holds an FAA Commercial Certificate and CFII with Multi Engine rating.