Meet our Instructors
Leading Edge Aviation is focused on providing our clients with a wide range of flight training services. This is accomplished through highly qualified, motivated and customer-focused employees.
Our professional flight instructors enjoy providing safe and efficient ground and flight instruction to our customers.
We look forward to providing you with the highest quality in flight training services!
Scott Weaver
President & Owner
Scott grew up in the Salt Lake Valley and received his flight training from the Utah State University Flight Program. Scott began instructing in 1999. Scott is passionate about aviation and loves watching people succeed. Scott has over 3000 hours of instruction given, and is tail-wheel endorsed. When he’s not busy running the company, he’s flying his Husky around or fishing.
Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI, Tail-wheel endorsed, FAASTeam Representative
James Gale
Chief Flight Instructor
James is a graduate from Utah State University in the Professional Pilot Program. He has been instructing since 2006 with over 2000 hours instruction given. He is married with 3 great kids who keep him busy when he is not in the airplane.
Ratings: CFI, CFII , & MEI
Quinton Dunn
Flight Instructor
Quinton received his flight training at Utah Valley University. He enjoys skiing, going to the gym, traveling, and spending his time with family and friends.
Ratings: CFI, CFII, Commercial SEL and MEL
Alec Erickson
Flight Instructor
Alec grew up in western Wyoming, but did his flight training in the Eastern United States around the Carolina Piedmont. He enjoys the outdoors, tropical weather, and spending time with his family.
Ratings: CFI, CFII
Quinn Hopkins
Flight Instructor
Quinn graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelors CFI. He likes to snowboard, hike, camp, and travel.
Ratings: CFI
Luke Johnson
Flight Instructor
Luke received his training from Utah Valley University in the Professional Pilot Program. He is passionate about aviation and wants to help students achieve their goals. He spends his free time with his wife, skiing, biking, and golfing.
Ratings: CFI, CFII
Zachary Taylor
Flight Instructor
Zack graduated from Utah State University with a bachelors degree in Aviation Technology, Professional Pilot. In his free time he likes to ride dirt bikes, hunt, and spent time with his family.
Ratings: CFI
Kylee Baird
Flight Instructor
Kylee began her flight training the summer of 2022 with Leading Edge Aviation. She is very passionate about aviation and loves to fly. She is from Henderson, Nevada and loves all things outdoors: hiking, climbing, skiing, etc.
Ratings: CFI, CSEL
Andrew Payne
Flight Instructor
Andrew is a graduate from Utah State University in the Professional Pilot Program with a minor in Leadership and Management. He is married and enjoys spending time outside with family and friends. Some activities he enjoys are sports, reading, and of course, flying!
Ratings: CFI
Zach Smedley
Flight Instructor
Zach received his flight training from Utah State University and his private from his home town of Heber City. He is married with one baby and loves to spend time with them. He loves to be outside playing sports when he can.
Ratings: CFI, Commercial SEL and MEL
Kyle Kranz
Flight Instructor
Kyle Kranz grew up in North Carolina where he earned a degree in Zoology at NC State before moving West in 2018 to complete his flight training at Utah Valley University. His passions are aviation, fly fishing, wildlife, and mountain sports.
Ratings: CFI, Commercial SEL and MEL
Zach Zimmerman
Flight Instructor
Zach Zimmerman grew up in Las Vegas, NV and has been interested in aviation since childhood. He started flight training at LEA in 2022 and completed all his training in Logan, UT. In his free time he enjoys flying with friends & family, travel, hiking, and is an avid reader.
Ratings: CFI, CSEL
Braydon Sorensen
Flight Instructor
Contact Us