Caitlin McCarthy, CFII
Sun Valley Aviators Owner &
Chief Flight Instructor
With over twenty years of flight training and commercial aviation experience, Caitlin McCarthy brings unmatched depth and breadth to every lesson she teaches. After earning a degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, she built a diverse career as Chief Pilot for an engineering company, a Part 135 charter pilot, and later as a specialist in training owners and operators of PA46 aircraft.
Now serving as both owner and Chief Flight Instructor of Sun Valley Aviators, Caitlin takes pride in fostering a strong aviation community in Idaho’s Wood River Valley. Her extensive knowledge and professionalism are complemented by a genuine enthusiasm for teaching, ensuring her students not only gain technical skill but also confidence in the cockpit.
Whether guiding a new Private, Instrument, or Commercial pilot in Sun Valley Aviators’ training aircraft, or developing a customized mountain flying program for a technically advanced turboprop, Caitlin and her team emphasize safety, efficiency, and thoughtful instruction—all while keeping the joy of flying at the forefront.
Mark Megonigal
Mark is our Aviation Ambassador at Sun Valley Aviators. He is occasionally available for flight instruction and plays an active role in community outreach, mentorship, and fundraising efforts that support scholarships for the next generation of aviators.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree and completed all pilot certifications at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After graduating, Mark instructed in Cessna and Piper light aircraft at Orange County Airport in Newport Beach, CA. He later founded Air Anywhere, an air ambulance service that transported patients across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
In 1984, Mark was hired by AirCal as a first officer on the Boeing 737. Just three years later, AirCal was acquired by American Airlines, where Mark upgraded to Captain on the MD-80. Over the course of his distinguished 39-year airline career, he flew McDonnell Douglas MD-80s as well as Boeing 737s, 757s, 767s, and 787s—spending 34 of those years as Captain.
Mark retired from American Airlines in 2023. Today, he enjoys backcountry flying in his Cessna 182 and traveling with his wife between their homes in La Paz, Mexico, and Ketchum, Idaho, in their Cessna P210.
Spencer Gaudreau
Certified Flight Instructor
Spencer was born and raised in the Wood River Valley and graduated from Wood River High School. His passion for aviation took off with a discovery flight in Laramie, Wyoming, and soon after he earned his Private Pilot License in Twin Falls, Idaho. He went on to complete advanced training with ATP Flight School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he earned his CFI, CFII, and MEI certifications. Spencer also holds his ASES rating, obtained in Needles, California.
When he’s not in the air, Spencer enjoys snowboarding, fishing, and hunting. He’s continually expanding his aviation expertise through ongoing study and a lifelong commitment to learning.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Mountain & High-Density Altitude Operations
Performance computations, canyon turns, route selection, oxygen & fatigue considerations, go/no-go frameworks, and practical scenario flights tailored to Sun Valley and surrounding terrain.
Instrument Proficiency & Currency
IPCs, approaches in actual or simulated IMC, advanced autopilot management, and abnormal procedures with realistic ATC scenarios.
Rusty Pilot Refresh
A confidence-building return to the cockpit: regs, airspace, comms, systems, and hands-on refresher flights that bring you back to proficiency—gracefully.
Destination & Seasonal Training
Visiting Sun Valley? Build a focused mini-syllabus around your trip. We’ll plan ahead so every hour counts.
Tailored Flight Training
Customized pathways for primary, instrument, and advanced ratings. We map your syllabus to your aircraft, time horizon, and learning style—no one-size-fits-all.
Initial & Recurrent (Insurance-Approved)
Targeted sign-offs for technically advanced aircraft, aligned with major underwriter standards. Need a specific form or matrix? We’ll coordinate your insurer’s documentation and training objectives.
Glass Cockpit & Transition Training
From legacy round-dial to G1000/G3X/Perspective-style systems: workflows, automation management, abnormal/emergency use of the avionics, and scenario-based decision-making.
TESTIMONIALS
“Caitlyn McCarthy was our CFI. She is by far one of the most comprehensive and fun CFI's I've worked with. If I could give her 10 stars I would. . . you can rest assured that after the completion of [her] course, you'll know the aircraft in and out and will be the safest one can be in that specific aircraft.” - Charlie Berichi, MPA CEO/FOUNDER BERICHI AVIATION M350
“The information and training I received from Caitlin has made me a much more proficient, confident and knowledgeable pilot - it’s more fun and less stressful to fly as PIC after gaining the understanding and experience I received during our training with her.” - Jay Laxson, Matrix
“I recently I completed my M600 transition with Caitlin. 10/10. Caitlin was assigned to me and I had only heard good things about her from friends of mine who had used her in the past. I came prepared with a list of multiple fears/anxieties I had with flying. She immediately took note and planned our week around hitting all of them. I used her for my initial as well as my mentorship which totaled 25 hours and in that time she pushed me to my limits and had me doing the very things I was nervous about in the beginning. Caitlin is very knowledgeable on all the PA-46’s but I walked away from training with a much greater knowledge of flying in general.” - Stephen Mongie M600
“Caitlin did her usual excellent job. She wore me out on the flight testing and was very knowledgeable of all the details of my Piper Mirage. Could not have wished for better treatment.” - Larry Schumacher, Mirage