Instructors

Mark Frankum Chief Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI, DPE

Originally from Toccoa, Georgia, Mark Frankum began flying in 1973. After graduating from Emmanuel College, he entered the U.S. Air Force where he served eight years of active duty as an Aviation Meteorologist. Upon leaving the Air Force in 1986, he took a position with Eastern Airlines as a Staff Meteorologist at Miami, FL. Within a year, Mark moved to Memphis, TN and became one of the founding members of the Federal Express Meteorology Department. He rose to the position of Senior Meteorologist for the Federal Express in 1989. While living in Memphis, he acquired a part-time position at the CBS affiliate at Memphis as the Weekend On-Air Meteorologist while continuing his duties at Federal Express. In 1993, Frankum left Federal Express for full-time employment with WREG-TV as an On-Air Meteorologist.

 

Throughout the years in Memphis, Mark continued to fly regularly and earned his Flight Instructor Certificates. While working as a Television Meteorologist, he instructed on a part-time basis for flight schools such as Douglas Aviation at Olive Branch, MS and Central Flying Service in Little Rock, AR. In the fall of 2000, Frankum accepted the Chief Meteorologist position at KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR. While instructing part-time for Sharp Aviation at Jonesboro, he met Kathy Moore. Ms. Moore had come to Sharp Aviation to earn her Private Pilot Certificate. Mark and Kathy purchased the flight school from Sharp Aviation and transformed it into an FAA Part 141 Approved Pilot School and a Cessna Pilot Center. The school was remanted "SkyVenture Aviation". SkyVenture opened a second flight school at Jackson, TN in 2004. This school was relocated to Drake Field, Fayetteville, AR in May 2006.

 

You may contact Mark Frankum by email: mark@skyventureinc.com

 

Eddie Beaudry CFI, CFII, MEI

Originally from Houston, TX Eddie graduated from Deer Park High School in Spring 2008 and spent the following 4 years attending Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. Eddie received all of his flight training at Henderson gaining his Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi Engine and CFI. Upon graduating from Henderson with a Bachelors of Science in Aviation in May 2012, Eddie joined SkyVenture’s team of Flight Instructors. Eddie enjoys the outdoor life ranging from golf, fishing, tennis, disc golf and hiking

Bryce Wright CFI, CFII

 

Originally from Stratford, Texas, Bryce Wright graduated from Stratford High school in May of 2007 and spent the following five years at Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. There he completed all of his flight training earning his Private, Instrument, Commercial, and multi engine rating, as well as his CFI, and CFII. In June 2012 he graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Aviation. Bryce joined the SkyVenture Aviation Team as a Flight Instructor in February 2013. 

On his time off, Bryce enjoys photo editing and graphic design with Photoshop. He has had three years of training and attended several seminars hosted by Photoshop in Boston, MA and Miami, FL.

 

James Beckett CFI, CFII, MEI

 

Born into a geologist's family living in the far reaches of northern Canada, James was brought up around the wild north and bush flying legends such as Punch Dickins and Max Ward. Moving to Vancouver led to the opportunity to start training towards the dream of many, to become a pilot and subsequently earned his wings on April 13th 1994. A new commercial certificate with the ink still drying, he went looking around the world for job that would give him the opportunity to enjoy everything flying, leading to his first job as a banner tow pilot in Florida. One suitcase, a bag of dreams and 19 years later he has enjoyed being a part of building a successful CFR Part 141 flight school, first as a flight instructor and then moving into the position of chief flight instructor. He later operated another Part 141 flight school as a chief flight instructor while working at a 'head-hunter' firm recruiting technicians for major airlines, military contracts and high end corporate companies. He was then invited to join a team to develop a training program for charter flight operations to the Bahamas and become the first captain and instructor pilot approved on the certificate.

James's has help may students by maintaining a safe and effective learning environment and by observing professional practices required of our aviation community andSkyVenture Aviatio

 

Martin Young II. CFI, CFII, MEI

 

Certified Flight Instructor & Certified Flight Instructor Instrument

Born and raised in North West Arkansas, Martin went on his first flight when he was 3 years old and began flying at the age of 18.  Instantly hooked on aviation, he went and received his private pilots certificate at 20 years old.  Pursuing his passion he got his bachelors degree in Aviation Business Management with a minor in Aviation Applied Sciences all from Spartan College of Aviation and Technology.

While attending Spartan, Martin was a captain for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA).  He competed in NIFA from 2007 through 2010; one of the competitions was a national event.  Additionally, he is an Alpha Eta Rho (international aviation fraternity) Alumni; member of the Sigma Beta Chi chapter.

Martin has experience flying multiple types of aircraft's and was an instructed for another flight school.  When not flying, he is either at the airport either to watch aircraft's fly or to go flying in his spare time.  He is eager to help you pursue your passion whether that be private, commercial, or instrument rating.