About

About Me

ABOUT BRIAN

My name is Brian Wattenbarger. I was born and raised in Kansas City , Missouri and moved to Phoenix , Arizona in 1998. Growing up I dreamed of being a pilot but as an adult I thought of it as a childhood dream that was unattainable. Then in 1998 I took my first trip on an airplane when going from Kansas City to Phoenix to interview for paramedic jobs before moving here. I was hooked from that point on! I began piloting in July 2004 and wouldn't trade it for the world!

I have worked in a professional job most of my adult life. I began as a Paramedic, entering Emergency Medical Services in 1991 and working in the field until 1998. During my field time, in addition to being a Paramedic, I began training other Paramedics in the field. In 1998 I became a 911 dispatcher for Southwest Ambulance-Rural/Metro in Scottsdale , Arizona and was promoted to EMS Communications Supervisor within two years. Shortly thereafter I took on the role of Senior Dispatch Trainer in Communications and became responsible for training 911 dispatchers within the department.

Now I fly as a career. When you do what you love for a living it is like having vacation every day and I love to teach! I am a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Multi-Engine Flight Instructor (MEI) and Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII). I hold a Commercial Single-Engine Land and Commercial Multi-Engine Land with Instrument ratings.

I am married to a beautiful woman, Tami, and have three wonderful sons: Blake age 16, Brandon age 15 and Brett age 14. (Blake just got his driver's license so everyone please watch out!)

Currently I am a First Officer flying Canadair Regional Jets with SkyWest Airlines. We contract and fly as United Express, Delta Connection and Midwest Connect. I have over 3000 hours of total flying time. I continue to teach pilots and am also finishing up a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology.

My family and I work together in a volunteer effort to help in a cause that we are all mutually passionate about: Horses. We give of our time, energy and money to the Dreamland Rescue Ranch to help save horses that have been mistreated in the pharmaceutical business. There are over 50 horses on property that we help care for along with 20+ goats, several chickens, peacocks, turtles and whatever other animals are found abandoned and in need of a loving home. This ranch is overseen by a mother and her daughter (Susan and Jamie) who have dedicated their lives and every penny they have in this endeavor and they survive only through donations and volunteer work. If this sounds like something you would like to learn more about then please click the icon below to go to their home page and see what they do and how you can help us in this monumental task. We really appreciate your consideration!