JDM Aviation
About
Life has many paths with no limits to those who seek their passion. Words I learned to live by as I take my walk through life.
Out of high school, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my father who served in the military. After 5 years serving in the Marine Corps, I left with a new foundation for which to base life on and a trade I could build upon. Most of my time in the Marines was spent working as a Precision Measuring Equipment Technician where I was tasked with calibrating and diagnosing issues with various types of equipment used to maintain our aircraft fleet.
The skills I learned while serving afforded me the opportunity to join the developmental department of Intel working as a manufacturing technician in Oregon. There I worked with a team of people dedicated to improving the company and assisting each other in the process. My skills in leadership and hard work paid dividends as the pace of work was just as high as the expectations of production. I learned the operations required by multiple large production machines in order to be successful at such a large company. The experience I earned there in high-speed operations and considerable teamwork is something I carry with me every day.
That brings me to the present. I left Intel after a tough battle was internally waged on whether I was satisfied with my position for the rest of my career or not. I saw a man who was settling when there was still so much to see and do. With that in mind, I gathered the courage to quit, move my family 1,500 miles, and chase the dream of being a pilot. As part of a degree program, I achieved a level of Certified Flight Instructor with an Associate's in Aviation Science from Chandler-Gilbert Community College. It was one of the hardest things I've ever trained for, and I wouldn't trade that hardship for anything. I work every day to strengthen my knowledge in the field of aviation and strive to become an instructor everyone will enjoy.
https://jdmaviation.squarespace.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mares-b6334885/
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We'll either talk via phone or meet and discuss a plan of action that will fit your needs. Once we've established your goals, we can move straight into your training and get the ball rolling.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I obtained my Associate's in Applied Science in Aviation Science which directly relates to how well I understand all things aviation.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Instructor Fees:$40/hour
Aircraft Fees: $95/hour (fuel not included)
Discounts for bulk hour purchases available
How did you get started teaching?
It started at my previous job. I was responsible for training all new engineers in the details of how our operations worked at Intel. Over 2 years of doing that, I finally had the chance to change careers and become a pilot, so I took that leap.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don't feel pressured into anything. Aviation is a tight-nit community and flight training is a passion of ours as flight instructors so we want all our students to be as comfortable as possible throughout the process. Sometimes, personalities don't work well together and that's perfectly ok. Simply look for recommendations for another in your area.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Have a general idea of what you look to achieve in aviation. There are a few different pilot certificates and abilities that you can earn that come with different restrictions. You don't necessarily have to know it all, but it helps us as flight instructors to know what your goals are with flight training. Are you trying to fly for the airlines someday? Do you just want a pilot certificate to experience flying? Do you want to fly friends and family around?