Ryan Van Haren
Airline pilot and instructor, former corporate chief pilot and training captain, former IFR Air Traffic Controller, and a Certified Executive Coach — a rare view of aviation from the flight deck to the control centre to the boardroom.
Aviation from just about every seat
I started out in remote and arctic bush operations, then flew air ambulance, cargo, and commuter aircraft. In 2013 I left full-time flying to become an air traffic controller, working the radar and terminal environment from the other side of the radio. I later returned to the flight deck in corporate aviation as a chief pilot and training captain, and went on to the airlines as a pilot and instructor. Along the way I’ve flown more than 55 aircraft types — from bush planes and floatplanes to business jets — and founded a non-profit to give back to the general aviation community.
That breadth gave me a rare, multi-disciplinary view of aviation: from the flight deck to the control centre to the boardroom.
Cardinal Aviation grew out of it almost by accident. While I was controlling, pilots started asking me for in-aircraft coaching. I said yes because I love sharing what I’ve learned — and as the requests grew, it became clear that my particular mix of experience filled a real gap. So I built Cardinal to put that experience to work for aircraft owners, operators, and pilots.
But there’s a deeper reason I do this. Over the years I’ve lost too many friends and colleagues to aircraft accidents. That loss is the driving force behind everything Cardinal does. My mission is simple: to help my clients and the wider aviation community advance flight safety and awareness — to help you make sound decisions, operate your aircraft more effectively, and bring the professionalism of commercial aviation to private flight.
A career built where the stakes are highest
55+ aircraft types across 3,400+ flights
A rare range spanning heavy business jets, turboprops, bush and float aircraft, and light singles and twins — including tailwheel, high-performance, complex, and turbine time.
Airports I’ve flown to and from
A snapshot of the airports I’ve operated to and from over the course of my career — from remote strips to major international airports.
Want to put this experience to work for your operation? Let’s talk.