The Sky Doesn't Intimidate Us.
It Calls Us.
Neal “Ping” Hinson brings an exceptional depth of military and civilian aviation experience to the cockpit, combining high-performance military flying, advanced instruction, leadership, and professional aviation.
During his military aviation career, Neal served as a Functional Check and Test Pilot, Four-Ship Flight Lead, and Mission Commander, operating in environments where precision, sound decision-making, and disciplined execution were essential.
A significant part of Neal’s career was dedicated to developing and evaluating other aviators. He served as a U-2 Instructor Pilot, Evaluator Pilot, and Interview Pilot, helping select, train, and evaluate pilots for one of the most specialized and demanding aircraft programs in aviation. He also served as a T-38 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, providing advanced instruction and evaluating pilots in high-performance jet operations.
Neal’s experience extends extensively into civilian aviation. He holds CFI, CFII, and MEI instructor certificates, along with Airline Transport Pilot certificates for both Single-Engine Land and Multi-Engine Land aircraft.
His aircraft qualifications include type ratings in the Beechjet 400 (BE-400), Boeing 757/767, and Cirrus Vision Jet (SF50), giving him experience ranging from general aviation and advanced flight instruction to military high-performance aircraft and transport-category jets.
Today, Neal brings that extraordinary range of experience to Altivol Aviation Group, where his focus goes far beyond simply teaching someone how to pass a checkride. His approach emphasizes professionalism, precision, aeronautical decision-making, aircraft mastery, and the mindset required to become a safe, confident, and highly capable aviator.
From primary flight training to advanced aircraft and professional aviation, Neal offers students something difficult to replicate: the opportunity to learn from an aviator who has spent a career not only flying at an exceptionally high level, but training and evaluating other pilots to do the same.
Neal (Ping) Hinson -Owner
Collin Davis - CFI
My name is Collin Davis, and I’m from Orangevale, California. I hold my Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial Single Engine, and Commercial Multi Engine ratings, and I’m also a Certified Flight Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor.
Before aviation, my world was professional motocross racing. Racing taught me to push myself, stay focused, work hard, and never settle for just being “good enough.” I’ve carried that same mindset into aviation and into the way I teach my students.
As a flight instructor, I want my students to have fun and love flying, but I also want to challenge them to become the best pilots they can be. It’s not just about passing a checkride. It’s about building the skills, confidence, and mindset to be a safe and capable pilot every time you get into an airplane.
Aviation has completely changed the direction of my life and given me opportunities and experiences I never imagined. If becoming a pilot is something you’ve always dreamed about, go after it! Don’t sit around wondering if you can do it. Take that first step, put in the work, and see where aviation can take you.
You never know where that first flight might lead.
Lexi Kochevar - CFI /CFII/MEI
Hi all! Welcome to Altivol aviation. My name is Lexi. I’ve been instructing for two years now, getting close to my hour minimum.
Pursuing aviation with zero aviation background in my family was the best decision I’ve made thus far in my life. I wasn’t sure how to get to where I was going but I knew where I was headed. Along the way I had some amazing mentors show me the ropes, guiding my steps along the way.
The opportunities I’ve been presented with along with the people this community has connected me to have been irreplaceable. I really had no rhyme or reason to start my flight training other than an intrinsic passion for flight from a young age. I heard my first jet engine, saw my first cockpit and knew what I needed to do.
Flight training is HARD. Be ready to fail, succeed, sacrifice, and try again. You’re striving for something that .011% of the worlds’ population succeeds at, and it is so so worth it.
Myself and my fellow flight instructors are here to see you accomplish your goals and provide instruction necessary to be safe pilots. At Altivol we fly TAA (technically advanced aircraft) lightsport planes equipped with autopilot. Maintenance is done in house making it efficient and timely. Looking forward to training new faces around the airport!