Discover Excellence at Pinnacle Aerospace Academy

Richard Whittemore
Founder/​Owner and Chief CFI

Richard first soloed an aircraft at 16 and got his pilot's license when he was 17. He has been passionate about aviation for his whole life.

He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate for Airplane Multi- and Single-Engine Land and also Helicopters. He holds commercial pilot privileges for Airplane Single Engine Sea. He is a current 2-time Master Flight Instructor from the National Association of Flight Instructors and holds Certified Flight Instructor certificates for Airplane Single- and Multi-engine fixed-wing and helicopter as well as Instrument Instructor for airplane and helicopter. 

Richard has served for several years as an FAA safety team representative. He flew EMS helicopter for two years and owns a general aviation service company (Cimeira Aviation), specializing in crewing and managing aircraft. He currently operates as a contract pilot and instructor in CJ and Hawker series aircraft. 

Richard has experience flying in multiple countries and lived for five years in the Amazon region of Brazil and Colombia. He and his wife have three children and reside in Birmingham, AL.

Adam Mirra
Co-Owner and Lead CFI

Adam's first experience flying was when he was very young, flying above the swamps and beaches of Florida in Cessnas with his family. Becoming a pilot himself was a dream of his for as long as he can remember. He first soloed at the age of 17 while training in St. Petersburg, FL, where he is from. 

After moving to Birmingham, AL, he had the opportunity to complete his current ratings with Richard and now holds a Commercial, Instrument, and CFI in ASEL, with more planned in the near future. 

​He currently resides in Birmingham with his wife and two daughters.