MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Bruce started his flying career later in life at age 40. He always wanted to learn to fly, but thought "that is only for the rich and famous.”  In December of 2000, Bruce began to fly and never looked back. He became Chief Instructor at Middle River Aviation in the Spring of 2014, when Middle River became a part 141 flight school. Bruce has over 4500 hours of instruction given, a total which grows daily.

Bruce is a competitive bowler and as a member of the Professional Bowlers Association, has multiple professional titles. He is in the Maryland State and Greater Baltimore bowling halls of fame. He enjoys tennis, golf, and playing the piano. He has a wife of 30 years, Donna, and three Children, Ryan, Abby, and Rob.  

“If learning to fly is something you have ever thought about, give us a call. No matter your age or budget, we can make it work.”

BRUCE HOLLEN

CHIEF AIRPLANE INSTRUCTOR,

CFI, CFII, MEI, CIRRUS INSTRUCTOR

Kevin, who is a Maryland native and U.S. Navy veteran brings over 20 years of experience as a business owner to Middle River Aviation. His dedication to flight training, flight instructors and employees is reflected in the team atmosphere. Although Kevin is an experienced commercial pilot, he spends his days running the business and “steering the ship in the right direction”. Kevin learned to fly while taking a break from auto racing and never looked back. In his free time he enjoys boating with his wife Nicole and his son Zac.

KEVIN WALSH

PRESIDENT

Bruce started his flying career later in life at age 40. He always wanted to learn to fly, but thought "that is only for the rich and famous.”  In December of 2000, Bruce began to fly and never looked back. He became Chief Instructor at Middle River Aviation in the Spring of 2014, when Middle River became a part 141 flight school. Bruce has over 4500 hours of instruction given, a total which grows daily.

Bruce is a competitive bowler and as a member of the Professional Bowlers Association, has multiple professional titles. He is in the Maryland State and Greater Baltimore bowling halls of fame. He enjoys tennis, golf, and playing the piano. He has a wife of 30 years, Donna, and three Children, Ryan, Abby, and Rob.  

“If learning to fly is something you have ever thought about, give us a call. No matter your age or budget, we can make it work.”

BRUCE HOLLEN

CHIEF PILOT,

CFI, CFII, MEI

Michael “Strike” Messer has been a pilot and instructor for over 31 years with over 3500 hours in military and civilian aircraft. Originally from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he holds an ATP, CFI, CFII, and MEI license/rating in airplanes and has been an instructor/evaluator in the F-15E, T-6, T-37, T-38 and a wide range of Piper, Cessna, and Grumman aircraft.

In his spare time he flies his RV-8A that he built himself. 

MICHAEL "STRIKE" MESSER

ASSISTANT CHIEF PILOT,

CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP

Dave found a book on how to get a private pilot’s license in a bargain bookstore. He became fascinated while reading it and scheduled a demo flight with Middle River Aviation. Dave was hooked and decided to get his instrument rating, CPL, and CFI in airplanes. He has flight experience in many aircraft including: Cessna 152, 172, 182, Piper Arrow, Cherokee 6, and Beechcraft Bonanza among others.

Dave lives with his wife and daughter in Parkville, Maryland. His hobbies include astronomy, archery, reading, and watching movies.

DAVE STEWART

CFI

Don was one of those kids who rode his bicycle to the local airport almost daily with dreams of one day getting to fly. Since his first flight at the controls of a 1946 Taylorcraft at age 12, Don knew aviation would be a major part of his life. Now, having earned two aviation retirements through military aviation and public service, Don continues to enjoy and share his flight experience as a flight instructor at Middle River Aviation. He is dual rated in airplanes and helicopters, with over 4000 hours of flight time, and countless hours of ground time that he wished was flight time. Don has extensive operational experience in search and rescue, medical evacuation, public safety, and many other operations. Don is also a musician, singer, and songwriter.

DON TEESDALE

CFI, CFII

Florina Winkler was born and raise in Oradea, a beautiful growing town in Romania. She is a former journalist. During her college years she worked at the local newspaper for three years. Florina always had a interest for aviation, but she discovered the true love for flying when she jumped on the back seat of her husband’s RV8 experimental airplane.

Since that moment, all she really wanted was to fly. She wants to make her dream true not only for her, but to show her twin sons that what you want you can achieve.

Florina’s goal is to be the best instructor and someday fly for the airlines.

FLORINA WINKLER

CFI,CFII,MEI

Brandon Dill holds an airplane CFI, CFII, and UAV certificate. From Harford County, Maryland, Brandon has been around aviation for most of his life. At 14 years old, Brandon was inspired to take a demo flight because of a photo of New York City taken by his dentist who is a private pilot.

At 17 years old, Brandon joined the Marines infantry and was deployed twice to countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kenya, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Germany, and Kyrgyzstan.  When his contract was over, he came back home and worked construction until finding the Aviation Program at the Community College of Baltimore County. He has experience in the Cessna 172, Citabria, Piper Arrow, and Grumman Cougar.

Brandon joined our team of flight instructors here at Middle River Aviation after becoming an instrument rated airplane commercial pilot and flight instructor through our program.  

BRANDON DILL

CFI, CFII, MEI, CIRRUS INSTRUCTOR

COMING SOON

JONATHAN MORRIS

CFI

Duane is a retired Elementary School Principal who loves to fly and to teach.  When not in airplanes or helicopters, you may find him at the Athletic Club or on the tennis court.  Duane holds a CFI rating for single-engine airplanes and for rotorcraft-helicopters.  He has been flying since 1982 and has accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours. 

DUANE WALLACE

CFI

Mark Brennan, our Chief Helicopter Pilot, has been flying for almost 20 years and has over 7,500 hours in helicopters. He holds a CPL, CFI, and CFII in helicopters and brings experience flying both charters and Med-evac.

Mark was born and raised in Southern California with 10 siblings. Mark has 3 children and 3 grandchildren and enjoys rock climbing and spending time with his family. 

MARK BRENNAN

CFI

NATHAN DULL

WEBMASTER