Ian Maret - CFI/CFII, Commercial Pilot, Mechanical Engineer

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace Minor, Highest Honors
• Honors Baccalaureate, Summa Cum Laude

Ian’s time at Montana State University fostered in him a love of discovering how to improve processes within corporations. His internships and project work born out of his Mechanical Engineering background have set him up as an expert in recognizing and quickly solving inefficiency within operations. His technical research with protective engine fan blade coatings and drone impact risks have directly helped improve aviation safety.

• Undergraduate Researcher tasked with developing protocol for a sputtering deposition machine that provided a coating to be applied to the blades on high-bypass turbofan engines 01/15 – 05/16
• Designed and built Instrumented Impact Panel to study impact of Drones on Aircraft as part of ongoing FAA study for Senior Capstone Project; Study was successfully completed on-time and under budget. 08/16 – 05/17
• Invited and accepted as member of Tau Beta Pi for outstanding academic achievement as an engineering student.

Ian is currently a First Officer on the Nextant 400XTi with Global Air Charters.

As a Flight Instructor at Inflight Pilot Training, Ian was regularly recognized for his high student pass rate and ability to teach information in a relatable and easy to understand way. His technical engineering background gave him insights into aircraft systems and airport processes that his students and fellow instructors benefitted from. Learning modern aircraft avionics and flight characteristics was made easier for Ian’s students thanks to his extensive experience in Cirrus aircraft.

• Operated 100+ hours/month performing primary and advanced instruction with Private, Commercial, Instrument, and Flight Instructor students in a structured FAR 61 program.
• Certificated by Cirrus in February 2020 to instruct owners, students, and prospective buyers in the Cirrus SR20/22/22T aircraft.
• Administered Cirrus aircraft transition courses to comply with owner insurance requirements; instruction included basic and advanced avionics theory, maneuvers, automation management, oxygen usage and high-altitude flight regime, emergency and icing procedures, and utilizing aircraft-specific systems.
• Provided High-Performance and Complex endorsements for students as well as Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Checks, and aircraft rental check-out flights.
• Provided in-depth technical knowledge on aerodynamics and aircraft systems to students as well as practical cross-country flight knowledge; how to utilize FBO services, rent a crew car, or how to refuel the aircraft.
• Tailored instruction to specific learning requirements of students and teach course material in easy to understand way.
• Designed and procured updated logbook endorsement stickers on behalf of Inflight Pilot Training.

Ian’s foundation in airport and flight operations began not in the classroom, but out on the ramp at the MSP airport performing all of the routine tasks that make the wheels of aviation turn behind the scenes. From aircraft deicing to managing airport fuel operations and memorizing unique aircraft characteristics for each of Delta Air Lines aircraft, Ian became an expert in all aspects of ground operations.

• Provided line technician services to 20+ flights/day for Signature Flight Support and customers at the MSP airport.
• Responsible for quality control and inspections for all fuel facilities at the MSP airport including fuel trucks, fuel tanks, fuel lines, and vendor refueling services.
• Daily technician duties included but not limited to ensuring refreshments ready for the day, publications were current, verified expected fuel requirements and airport fuel tank quantities for the day, loaded and unloaded customer baggage, serviced lavatories and aircraft onboard water, moved aircraft throughout hangar facilities, marshalled inbound and outbound aircraft on the ramp, and escorted passengers to and drove the crew shuttle.
• Attended training for company-specific aircraft deicing procedures including deicing fluid identification, application, holdover times, and aircraft-specific procedures.
• Worked during Super Bowl LII (2018) and managed 200+ aircraft and parking on airfield with extremely limited ramp space.

• Responsible for ramp and customer service duties at the BZN airport on behalf of American Eagle.
• Performed equipment inspections, baggage loading and unloading, aircraft marshalling, lavatory and aircraft water tank servicing, cabin cleaning and servicing, and assisting customers with special needs on and off the aircraft.

• Selected to assist with 2 railway project solutions; not having a suitable vehicle available to assist locomotives with failed or depleted battery systems and project for how to best utilize railway facilities and logistic capabilities to maximize efficiency of equipment and spare parts storage.
• Designed a trailer insert for railway trucks that safely transported appropriate battery and equipment for locomotive battery system servicing.
• Sourced materials and fabrication services, locomotive-specific batteries, and equipment for personnel to utilize.
• Tasked with identifying risks and developing best practices and procedures for risk mitigation while utilizing locomotive-specific battery system servicing vehicles.

Optimization of the Sputtering Deposition Protocol to Fabricate Al, Cr, and C Thin Film Coatings for Ni­201 Protection in Low Temperature Hot Corrosion Environments.

• Responsible for fuel system management and aircraft refueling services for all Delta aircraft and facilities at MSP airport.
• Received training on aircraft-specific equipment and fueling procedures for entire Delta fleet of aircraft including Boeing, Airbus, McDonnel Douglas, Embraer, and Bombardier products.
• Trained new hire ramp and fueling agents on ramp environment, time management, refueling truck and hydrant refueling system operation, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Member of team trained to respond to fuel spill events including ground water contamination mitigation procedures and chemical and physical fuel absorbents to comply with the Metropolitan Airport Commission, federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

• Spent summers away from high school as counselor mentoring children impacted by socioeconomic hardship at camp whose mission was to encourage children to form healthy lifestyle habits through unique and exciting sports and activities.
• Taught skiing, mountain biking, orienteering, and canoeing principles and techniques to children ages 9 to 13.