Instructors & Staff

Our instructors and faculty are highly experienced and committed to serving the Lord our God.

Our instructors and faculty are committed to providing a high standard of training through academic excellence, quality personnel, and facilities conducive to the real-world missionary environment.

Instructors and Faculty:

Mr. Terry Yoder, President/CEO

Educational Background:

Grace College of the Bible (Grace University), Mission Aviation, 1988-1991; Certificate of Completion, Iowa Western Community College, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, 1991; Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Cornerstone University, 2002; Master of Education degree in School Administration and Supervision, Liberty University, 2008.

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Airframe and Powerplant (A&P), 1991; Private Pilot – Single Engine Land, 1992; Inspection Authorization (IA), 1997.

Mr. Nik Nagy, Maintenance School Director/A&P Instructor

Educational Background:

A.A. – Computer Support Specialist, Bismark State College, 2006; Certificate of Completion, Airframe and Powerplant Technician – School of Missionary Aviation Technology, 2012

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Airframe and Powerplant, 2012; Inspection Authorization, 2016

Mr. Steve VanBeveren, Director of Flight Operations/Flight Instructor

Educational Background:

B.S. degree Missionary Aviation Technology, Moody Bible Institute

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Airframe and Powerplant license 1991; Private Pilot 1991, Commercial Pilot: SEL/MEL/Instrument 1993, Flight Instructor: Airplane/Instrument/Advanced Ground 1993

Mr. Duane Linsley, Adjunct A&P Instructor

Educational Background:

Diploma, Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, Missionary Aviation Program, 1973; Associates degree in Applied Science, Chochise College, 1974

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Private Pilot, 1971; Commercial Pilot, 1972; Instrument Airplane, 1975; Airframe and Powerplant, 1974; Inspection Authorization, 1978; Flight Instructor, Airplane Single Engine, 1985, Flight Instructor: Instrument Airplane, 1986; Commercial Pilot: Single Engine Sea, 1987; Commercial Pilot: Multi-Engine Land, 1987, Commercial Pilot, Helicopter, 1981, Helicopter Instructor, 1987, FAA Designated Mechanics Examiner, 1996.

Mr. Dean Peterson, A&P Instructor

Educational Background:

Associate degree in Applied Science, DeVry Technological Institute, 1969; diploma, Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, 1976; Inspection Authorization from Love Aviation Training Center, 1986; Bachelors degree in Organizational Development, Cornerstone College, 1995; Certificate of Completion, Avco Lycoming Reciprocating Engine School in Williamsport, PA, 1984; Designated Mechanics Examiner,1996; FCC Radiotelephone license, 1998.

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Private Pilot, 1973; Commercial Pilot, 1975, Airplane Single Engine; Commercial Pilot, Helicopter, 1985; Commercial Pilot, Seaplane, 1985.

Mr. Ryan Owen, A&P Instructor

Educational Background:

Coosa Valley Technical School – Autmotive, 2003; Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate, Missionary Aviation Institute, 2005-2006; Bachelor of Science – Aviation, Piedmont Baptist College, 2004-2009; Master of Arts – Intercultural Studies, Maranatha Baptist Seminary, 2009-2011; Advanced Credits toward DMin, Faith Baptist Seminary, 2019-2020.

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Private Pilot – SEL, Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating – Airplane Single Engine Land; Airframe and Powerplant Technician with Inspection Authorization.

Ms. Christina Lehigh, A&P Instructor

Educational Background:

Associate Degree in Surgical Technology, Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 2009; diploma, School of Missionary Aviation Technology, 2020, 2021.  Certificate, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Study Program, 2017.

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Airframe and Powerplant Technician, 2020; Private Pilot, 2020; Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating, Airplane Single Engine Land, 2021.

Mr. Paul Kimball, Flight Instructor

Educational Background:

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science degree in Missionary Aviation Technology, Moody Bible Institute, 1985

FAA Licenses or Certificates:

Airframe and Powerplant (A&P), 1983; Private Pilot, 1983; Instrument Airplane, 1985; Commercial Single Engine Land, 1985; Flight Instructor, Airplane Single Engine Land, 1985; Flight Insturctor, Instrument Airplane, 1987; Flight Instructor, Multi-Engine Airplane, 1998.

Other Certificates:

Safety & Quality Management, 2005; Aviation Lead Auditor, 2018; Aviation Accident Investigaor, 2019.

*Lyle is on loan to SMAT from Mission Safety International (MSI)