Meet Robert Marshall! He is our newest member to the High Flight Academy team, assuming the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor role. To help us get to know him, we recently sat down with Robert to allow him to share a bit about his background and ask some questions. A native to the Pittsburgh area, we discovered Rob is the product of a variety of unique educational and career experiences.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science, Rob turned his part-time college work for Carnegie Science Center into a full-time program development role with the institution’s renowned Buhl Planetarium & Observatory. There he discovered not only his passion for astronomy and aerospace but also his talent for educating learners of all ages.
In 2014, Rob joined Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global science company, as a product manager. He was responsible for growing the Fisher Science Education K-12 portfolio in the United States. Building on his previous museum work, he traveled the country inspiring the teaching community at national science teacher conferences. After three years, Rob began leading the company’s global STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) community engagement programs through the development of colleague-led hands-on activities as well as corporate partnerships. One of these partnerships was a long standing relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. These initiatives solidified his enthusiasm for science and teaching.
Rob transitioned to First Officer at Envoy Air in 2023. How was he able to make this monumental leap? Seven years prior, he began the CCBC (Community College of Beaver County) professional pilot program. After finishing all the 141 academic requirements and earning his flight instructor certificate, Rob began flight instructing in 2019 at the Beaver County airport. He worked relentlessly on behalf of his students while maintaining a full-time corporate career and raising a family too.
When did you first become interested in aviation?
During middle school, my dad first started taking me to air shows. I was overjoyed by military demonstration teams such as the Thunderbirds – so much that I joined Air Force ROTC in college. I later discovered though that I required corrective lenses and could not be awarded a pilot slot. I did not consider a civilian aviation career until years later.
Tell us a bit about your experience at a regional airline.
I was thrilled to fly the Embraer 170/175. It is an extraordinary aircraft with unique capabilities. At Envoy, the largest wholly owned regional of American Airlines, I enjoyed the best non-rev flight benefits in the industry. I was also a beneficiary of the highest pilot pay rates to present time. I am happy to tell anyone all about what full-flight simulator training and flying 121 line ops is like! Feel free to find me and ask.
What is your most unique aviation experience to date?
While volunteering during the 2005 Pittsburgh Air Show, I was privileged to ride backseat in a Fouga Magister CM-170 French trainer during their formation flight. I’ll never forget being positioned left wing and the entire flight-of-three doing a barrel roll. A highlight to this day!
Do you have any advice for current students as our Assistant Chief Flight Instructor?
Study and practice consistently. Have you heard learning to fly is NOT like riding a bike? Knowledge and skills are perishable. “Use them or lose them,” we say. I equate flight training to learning a new musical instrument. Cramming a double lesson once a week does not allow your brain to develop properly. Rather, frequent repetition is what allows for the quickest progression through your certificates and ratings. And stay motivated.
How do you have fun outside of work and aviation?
I enjoy spending time with my wife Angie and our three young children: Teddy (6 yrs), Gwen (3 yrs), and Nadia (1 yr). Special excursions to my former employer, the Science Center, or Living Treasures are always a hit. But who says aviation is only for work? My son and I like to go find the “$200 hamburger” every now and then – another way I like to inspire the next generation of aviators.