GAA Live 2026

Mike Kloch

Presenter

Mike “Cuckoo” Kloch of Bend, Oregon was the 2026 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, recognized for his specialization in Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT).

Roger Whittier

Presenter

Roger Whittier of Phoenix, Arizona was the 2026 National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year. An A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization, he operates an aircraft maintenance shop specializing in owner-assisted inspections, previously served on the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association board and as its president, and founded its College of Advanced Technology.

Mike Jesch

Presenter

Mike Jesch of Orange, California was the 2026 National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. With over 40 years of professional flying, he is a senior Captain on the Boeing 787 for American Airlines and an active flight instructor. He serves as an FAA Safety Team lead representative, supports the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program, and since 2024 has chaired the Southern California Airspace Users Working Group.

Paul New

Host

Paul New has flown and worked on piston-engine airplanes since grade school. After earning a degree in Aircraft Electronics, he started and managed two avionics shops. In 1986, he and his wife, Helen, took over the family business his father began in 1974, Tennessee Aircraft Services, Inc in Jackson, TN. It is now a Cirrus and Textron factory-authorized service center. The shop performs routine scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and specializes in structural repairs for metal and composite airframes. Paul is an FAA certificated Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization. In addition, he’s a private pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He enjoys flying his 2002 Cirrus G1 for personal and business use. Paul writes a monthly technical column for the Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) magazine, serves as a technical advisor to their membership, and presents Cessna model-specific Systems and Procedures classes for CPA as well. He presents technical classes for the Cessna Advanced Aircraft Club (CAAC), which is the Columbia series aircraft. Paul began presenting technical classes at the COPA CPPP events in 2017. He also takes part monthly on the AOPA podcast “Ask the A&P” along with his friends Mike Busch and Colleen Sterling. Host Bio

PAUL NEW - Presenter

Paul New has flown and worked on piston-engine airplanes since grade school. After earning a degree in Aircraft Electronics, he started and managed two avionics shops. In 1986, he and his wife, Helen, took over the family business his father began in 1974, Tennessee Aircraft Services, Inc in Jackson, TN. It is now a Cirrus and Textron factory-authorized service center.

Paul is an FAA certificated Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization. In addition, he’s a private pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He enjoys flying his 2002 Cirrus G1 for personal and business use.

Paul writes a monthly technical column for the Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) magazine, serves as a technical advisor to their membership, and presents Cessna model-specific Systems began presenting technical classes at the COPA CPPP events in 2017. He also takes part monthly on the AOPA podcast “Ask the A&P” along with his friends Mike Busch and Colleen Sterling.