Decades of aviation experience

Meet Our Crew

Glidepath Aviation is owned and operated by military aviators who bring real-world experience and a deep commitment to safety to every flight.

Kevin Ryan

Chief of Operations | Owner

Kevin was born in Rexburg, Idaho, and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1993. He served for 15 years with deployments to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. After transitioning to civilian life he put roots down in San Antonio, Texas. Kevin pursued a Bachelor of Science in Management and is currently working towards his Private Pilot's License. An entrepreneur at heart, Kevin founded three companies before launching Glidepath Aviation in 2024, aiming to bring safe, affordable aircraft to pilots looking to build time, train, and travel.

kevin@glidepathaviation.net

Chris Ryan

Chief Pilot | Owner

Chris is a Utah resident who embarked on a journey with the Army in 2005. Driven by a lifelong passion for aviation, he was selected to attend flight school in 2009. For the last 15 years, he has served as an Army Aviator, flying UH-60 Blackhawks. His career has taken him on deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and various countries in the Middle East. Chris currently serves as a full-time Senior Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner with the Utah Army National Guard. He holds a Certified Flight Instructor and Commercial Rotorcraft Instrument rating, plus a Fixed Wing Private Pilot rating, and brings thousands of flight hours of experience.

chris@glidepathaviation.net

Paul Merrill

Owner

Originally from Arizona, Paul has called Utah home for over 20 years. He began his career in the Utah Army National Guard in 2009 as an aircraft mechanic, later earning a spot in flight school to fly UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Paul has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and is currently a full-time Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner. With extensive experience flying military and civilian helicopters, Paul is now working toward his fixed-wing private pilot certificate.

paul@glidepathaviation.net

Brady Cloward

Co-Owner

Brady Cloward is a Salt Lake City, Utah native. He joined the Army in 1996 and found his passion in aviation in 2008. After graduating flight school in 2008 as a UH-60A/L Aviator he deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq. He has completed multiple Army aviation courses including the UH-60 A/L Instructor Pilot course, AH-64D qualification and Instructor Pilots course, and obtained his private fixed wing rating in a PA-28-181 Piper Archer.

brady@glidepathaviation.net

Operations team