About Painted Rock Aviation

Aviation has been a part of Kurt Campbell’s life for as long as he can remember. Growing up around Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, beginning in the 1980s, airplanes, pilots, and the aviation community were a constant presence in his life. More than four decades later, Falcon Field is still home—and that lifelong connection to aviation ultimately became the foundation for Painted Rock Aviation.

Before beginning his professional aviation career, Kurt served in the United States Army and is a veteran of the Iraq War, serving in Iraq from 2003–2004. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. After returning home, he began formal flight training in 2005 and went on to build a career that has given him experience across nearly every side of aviation.

Kurt holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate as well as Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Instrument Instructor (CFII), and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) certificates. Throughout his career, he has flown more than 30 different aircraft variants and earned six aircraft type ratings.

His experience extends well beyond the cockpit. Kurt is also a certificated Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA), giving him a perspective on aircraft ownership, operation, maintenance, and safety that few pilots or instructors possess. He has flown corporate aircraft, managed aircraft for companies and owners, and helped guide pilots and aircraft owners through the operational and technical sides of aviation.

His professional airline career has included flying for SkyWest Airlines and Allegiant Air, and he currently flies for Southwest Airlines.

But despite thousands of hours spent flying professionally, Kurt’s passion has always remained rooted in general aviation and teaching.

Painted Rock Aviation was built around a simple idea: aviation knowledge should be passed on, not kept to yourself.

Kurt brings together more than 40 years of exposure to aviation with experience as a military veteran, Bronze Star recipient, airline pilot, corporate pilot, flight instructor, aircraft manager, and A&P/IA mechanic. His goal is to pass those lessons on to the next generation of pilots—not simply teaching them how to pass a checkride, but helping them become knowledgeable, confident, safe, and capable aviators.

For Kurt, Painted Rock Aviation is more than a flight school. It is a continuation of a life spent around airplanes and the aviation community at Falcon Field—and an opportunity to share everything he has learned along the way.

Earn your PPL at your own pace through our one-on-one flight training and ground instruction courses. You will learn all of the foundational knowledge and skills to pilot your own aircraft in visual conditions. This is the first step towards an airline pilot career. 

With a commercial license, you may pilot an aircraft carrying passengers and receive compensation for doing so.