Certificates
Aircraft Categories
Kirby Victor Ortega is a cornerstone of the Wichita aviation community, boasting over five decades of flight experience and serving as a high-profile FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. His distinguished career is highlighted by a 33-year tenure at Cessna Aircraft Company, where he eventually rose to the position of Chief Pilot for Piston Aircraft. Following his retirement from Cessna, he continued his leadership in the industry as the Chief Pilot for Jet Management at Yingling Aviation and co-founded Ortega Aviation Services with his wife, Teresa.
With more than 28,000 total flight hours and zero recorded accidents or incidents, Ortega exemplifies a supreme safety mindset. He has provided over 16,500 hours of dual instruction and holds an ATP certificate with multiple Citation type ratings. His contributions to aviation safety and education have been recognized with the 2002 National Flight Instructor of the Year award, induction into the National Flight Instructor Hall of Fame, and the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Ortega specializes in Cessna piston and turbine transitions, particularly focusing on mentoring pilots through complex glass-cockpit and multi-engine environments.