Heather Armstrong

Shortly after graduating high school, Heather was gifted a discovery flight that sparked a lifelong passion for aviation. Arriving with little idea of what to expect, she was immediately hooked. This enthusiasm led to earning certificates and ratings at a flight school based at Thun Field in Puyallup, WA, where she later became a flight instructor. During this time, Heather also completed a Bachelor of Science in Professional Pilot from Utah Valley University.

After building hours as a flight instructor, Heather was hired as a First Officer with Empire Airlines, flying the ATR 42/72 under Part 121 operations. She flew routes across the United States, with a primary route between Seattle and Southeast Alaska. After four years at Empire, Heather chose to step away from airline flying to focus on starting a family. This move led to Northern California, where she served as Chief Pilot for seven years at the Beale Air Force Aero Club, located at the Air Force base where her husband was stationed. Now happily settled in Central Washington, Heather draws on 20 years of aviation knowledge and instructing experience to teach and mentor the next generation of instructors and students at CWU.

Although Heather originally intended to pursue a long-term career in the airlines, and greatly valued the experience, aviation education has become her true passion. Outside of the airport, she enjoys exploring new places with her husband and two children.