Cody Wienk

Cody has been around aviation for most of his life.  His dad was a pilot and managed an airport, so Cody literally grew up at an airport.  He began flying early, soloing an Aeronca Champ at age 16 and earned his Private Pilot, Instrument, and Multi-Engine ratings while completing a B.S. in Biology at South Dakota State University.  After graduation, he taught high school science for a year before returning to graduate school at the University of Arizona for an M.S. in Renewable Natural Resources Studies. That led to nearly 25 years in federal service, most of that with the National Park Service Wildland Fire Program.  Cody was a Fire Ecologist supporting wildland fire planning, fuels management, vegetation monitoring, and applied research across multiple park units and regions.  In addition, he spent many weeks every summer supporting wildland fire suppression efforts across the country.

In early 2020, Cody decided to get back into the cockpit.  He completed his Commercial, Flight Instructor, and Instrument Ground Instructor certificates and flew as much as he could get away with.  He also had a chance to get his Seaplane rating.  Outside of teaching, Cody enjoys swimming, biking, officiating volleyball, and traveling with his wife, Heather.  He also provides some flight instruction at the Offutt Aero Club, and tailwheel instruction in a 1951 Cessna 170A.