Our Team of Certified Flight Instructors in Durango, CO

The chief pilot is Bruce Odiorne II. Bruce is a pilot in Durango that has a commercial pilots license and instrument ratings as well as being Spin endorsed. Bruce is also a Certified Flight Instructor. He has over 900 hours in this aircraft. Most of his these hours have been spent flying in the mountains in the Four Corners area. 

Emily embarked on her flight training journey in 2021. After earning her Private Pilot's certificate in Fort Collins, Colorado at a Part 141 Program, Emily returned home to complete my Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) ratings in Farmington, New Mexico. From the moment Emily took to the skies alone for the first time, she knew she wanted be a career flight instructor and share her passion for flying with others. We are proud to have Emily Kloster on the Durango Flight Instruction team. As a flight instructor, Emily's goal is to offer our community the same incredible opportunity she was fortunate enough to receive, and help others achieve their aviation dreams. Emily is committed to providing the highest quality instruction and guidance to help aspiring pilots become safe and proficient aviators.

Russell has been flying since 1986 and is a certified flight instructor in Durango. His first rating, private pilot, took awhile due to flight school closures, lack of money and instructors leaving. When it all came together for Russ , he dedicated himself to becoming a good aviator. Private and Instrument ratings were completed at Part 91 schools. Then, he enrolled at Comair Academy, a Part 141 school, in Sanford, Florida., for commercial multiengine and flight instructor ratings. At the completion of his training in Florida, Russ decided to take his checkride back home in Maryland with the FAA. The examiners in Florida were just too proud of their 95% failure rate for CFI initial ratings. Russell offers professional flight instruction from a seasoned pilot. Russ has a nicely equipped Cessna 182 for instrument training and an older Cessna 172 for initial flight training.

Jaden Mankins is a lifelong Durango resident with a deep-rooted passion for aviation. He began his flight training in high school, swiftly advancing through his ratings to become a certified flight instructor. All of his training was completed at a local Part 61 school, where he honed not only his flying skills but also a keen understanding of the unique challenges posed by the terrain and weather of Southwestern Colorado. Jaden offers instruction in a variety of aircraft, including the Cessna 172, 172RG, and 182, tailoring each lesson to the individual needs of his students. His ultimate goal is to share his love for aviation with the next generation of pilots, providing fun, safe, and high-quality training across the Southwest.

Mario is a Harvard, Yale and Columbia University trained Interventional and Abdominal Radiologist. A native of Puerto Rico, he has been in Durango for 10 years. He’s the son of a Vietnam veteran fixed wing pilot and has been around aviation since birth. 

He has been a certificated pilot since 2001 and holds numerous certificates including: Single and Multi-Engine Land & Sea ratings; Commercial Pilot License, Instrument rating, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFI-I); Advanced Ground Instructor and Advanced Ground Instructor Instrument designations. He also holds Tailwheel and High Altitude Operations endorsements. 

He has received extensive Aerobatic training by International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Hall of Famer Ret. Admiral Bill Finagin and nationally known California based aerobatic competitor, mentor and judge Chris Olmstead. Mario is a certified flight instructor.

He completed his ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) training certification and eligibility requirements for such rating in 2024. Mario has accumulated over 1,350 flying hours as pilot in command in 41 different kinds of single and multiengine land, sea and aerobatic aircraft.

He’s owned multiple aircraft with the most recent one being a classic 1946 Piper J-3 Cub. He’s an avid alpine skier and mountain biker who enjoys the outdoors with his wife and 2 young kids.

Garrett Coleman was born in Austin, Texas, grew up in Durango, Colorado, and pursued his flight ratings throughout the Southwest, most recently earning certification as a certified flight instructor in Alaska. With over 900 logged flight hours, the bulk of Garrett's experience involves navigating cross-country routes in mountainous terrain. This diverse experience has equipped Garrett with the skills to handle challenging environments, high-altitude conditions, and the dynamic weather systems that come with flying in rugged landscapes. Garrett is also well-versed in the air traffic control environment. Garrett flies as second-in-command of a Cessna jet, consistently operating in high traffic airspace such as Denver, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Durango Flight Instruction is proud to partner with professionals like Garrett.

Michael Erwin pursued a career as an intensive care unit clinical pharmacist at a large academic medical center in Omaha and started flight training in 2010. Shortly after obtaining his private pilot certificate Michael moved to Durango, Colorado. In 2019 Michael got back into flying and over the next few years obtained all of his advanced ratings. At the Nebraska Medical Center, Michael was heavily involved in teaching pharmacy students and residents, so flight instruction came naturally.  Michael's greatest moments in aviation are sitting quietly in the right seat and watching his students who have been struggling in a particular maneuver or landing finally “nail it” on their own. Michael's instruction motto is three-fold: be safe, have fun, and always learn from your and other’s mistakes.