About Us

We are a growing FAR Part 61 Flight School and a Part 135 Operation located in Talkeetna, Alaska. We offers a full range of both ground instruction and flight instruction. We have been flying in Alaska since 1998. Our flight instructors are members of NAFI (National Association of Flight Instructors).

Drew Haag, CFI, A&P, IA, Owner

Drew has been flying for 18 years, and has been in Alaska for the past 13. He has run Above Alaska Aviation for the past 9 years. He grew up in Northern Idaho and has lived and flown in Florida, Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona. He started his career by flying skydivers and then worked as a mechanic for NAC, K2, and Aurora Air Repair. He earned his A&P at University of Anchorage Alaska in 2001. He has been an IA since 2004. He has also lead the development of two subdivisions, one of which is a fly-in airpark community. In his off time he has served as the Chairperson for the Talkeetna Airport Improvement subcommittee of the Talkeetna Community Council. He also spends his time volunteering at several local events, including fly-ins, and Talkeetna Build-A-Plane.

Sarah Russel, Manager at Above Alaska Aviation LLC

Sarah Russell, Manager

Sarah grew up traveling through the US and parts of Europe. She settled down in Alaska in 2005 and has no plans of ever leaving. Sarah is the Manager at Above Alaska. She is in charge of scheduling students, instructors and aircraft, billing, keeping the employees in line, and entertaining the customers in between flights. She maintains the website, is working towards her private pilot certificate, and is a mother of three awesome kids.

Adam Baker, CFI

Born and raised in Maine in the year of the tiger, Adam moved to Fairbanks, AK 9 years ago. Here he began his flying career. He managed to fund his flight training as a commercial fisherman, late night cab driver and an underground gold miner. His first commercial job as a pilot was banner-towing up and down the Jersey shore. He has worked as a Certified Flight Instructor in the dessert canyons of Arizona. Spent last winter instructing students over the Knik Glacier in Palmer, AK. He is now living the dream as a Tailwheel instructor at Above Alaska, where he was first introduced to the gentleman's art of tail-wheel flying over 5 years ago.

Leighan Falley, CFI

Leighan is a lifelong Alaskan whose first memories are of flying around the interior in the back seat of her father's Supercub. In addition to being a third generation female pilot, she is also a climbing guide on Denali, an artist, and mother of a baby girl. She loves to fly just about more than anything.

Jared Wheeler, Mechanic’s Helper

Jared was born and raised in Texas and that’s where he got his license. He has 100 hours and is working on his commercial. He is currently attending the University of Wyoming. Jared is the mechanic helper.