About the Company
Strike Flyers took off in 2020 when Chad “PB” Robbins, a seasoned U.S. Air Force F-15E fighter pilot, recognized a critical gap in civilian pilot training—one that PB saw his military expertise bridging. With a mission to save lives in aviation by elevating pilot proficiency beyond standard FAA training, Strike Flyers offers an immersive, high-performance experience that equips aviators with life-saving skills like Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), spin awareness, basic aerobatics, and formation flying. Addressing the alarming fatality rates of Loss of Control – Inflight (LOC-I) accidents – THE leading cause of fatal aircraft accidents year-over-year – Strike Flyers delivers military-grade decision-making and upset prevention and recovery techniques to civilian pilots. By 2024, Strike Flyers had transformed from vision to reality, securing two Extra 330LX aircraft and assembling an elite team of fighter pilots, aerobatic champions, and airshow performers. Now serving Colorado’s Front Range and the Rocky Mountain region, Strike Flyers stands at the forefront of advanced aviation training, ensuring pilots are not just competent—but Better. Safer. Prepared.
About the Team
Chad Robbins
Founder & CEO
Chad Robbins has spent a lifetime chasing the sky. A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Chad piloted the formidable F-15E Strike Eagle across the globe, flying combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan between 1999 and 2007. From high-speed dogfights to precision Close Air Support (CAS), he thrived in the high-stakes world of tactical aviation.
His journey began early—at just nine years old—when he was inspired by his father, an F-111 pilot and Vietnam veteran. Determined to follow in his footsteps, Chad graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996 and launched a legendary career in the Strike Eagle.
As an instructor in the supersonic T-38A/C, he trained the next generation of fighter pilots in advanced aerial maneuvering, both in the U.S. and abroad. One of his most rewarding assignments was in Europe, where he continued to push tactical boundaries and refine his teaching craft.
After retiring from the Air Force in 2017, Chad transitioned into the civilian sector with equal intensity. He flew demanding single-pilot missions in the King Air 200 and PC-12 for air ambulance services, then advanced into corporate aviation as a Chief Pilot flying the CJ4 and later as a Part 135 instructor and check airman in the Citation XL/XLS.
Since 2020, Chad has provided contract pilot services in the PC-12, PC-24, CJ4, and XL/XLS—while never losing sight of his true calling: training elite aviators. Today, he leads Strike Flyers, bringing over 30 years of experience to high-performance flight instruction. He also teaches in the Aerospace Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver as an affiliate instructor.
For Chad, aviation is more than a career—it’s a calling. Through Strike Flyers, he continues to share that passion, elevate pilot performance, and keep the spirit of flight alive.
Nick Slabakov
Chief Pilot & UPRT Division Lead
Nick Slabakov is a highly accomplished instructor pilot and aerobatic expert who serves as Chief Pilot at Strike Flyers. With more than a decade of experience in tailwheel operations, Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), and aerobatics, Nick has trained pilots across the spectrum—from student pilots and CFIs to seasoned airline captains and private aircraft owners.
What sets Nick apart is his ability to tailor instruction to any pilot’s background, goals, and skill level. His reputation for clear, effective, and safety-focused training has made him a sought-after mentor in the industry.
In addition to instruction, Nick is an active competitor in the Advanced category of aerobatic flight, piloting the Extra 330LX with precision and intensity. As coach of the MSU Aerobatic Team, he develops top-tier collegiate talent in the Xtreme Decathlon and Gamebird GB1, promoting structured aerobatic competition as a path to elite-level stick-and-rudder skills.
Nick also serves as a Senior Aerobatic Judge for the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, where he evaluates the most skilled pilots in the Unlimited category. He leads training programs for new judges and serves as Contest Director for one of the top regional aerobatic events in Colorado.
Soon, Nick will bring his aerial mastery to the airshow circuit, where he’ll showcase his flying skills to crowds across the region.
With deep expertise in both instruction and competition, Nick continues to raise the bar in aerobatic training, UPRT, and precision flight instruction—one pilot at a time.
Patrick “Krown” Killingsworth
USAF Test Pilot & Elite Instructor
Patrick “Krown” Killingsworth brings unmatched precision, technical mastery, and combat-tested experience to Strike Flyers. A cutting-edge USAF Test Pilot, Krown has flown and instructed in some of the most advanced aircraft in the world, including the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and T-38 Talon.
Krown’s aviation journey began with the F-15C, where he established his air dominance pedigree before moving on to the next generation of fighters in the F-22. He soon distinguished himself as an elite instructor pilot, training aviators in air combat, tactical maneuvering, and systems employment across multiple fighter platforms.
A graduate and former instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS), Krown is a leader in flight test innovation. He has logged extensive experimental flight time across fighters, attack aircraft, trainers, and transports—specializing in high-risk stall, spin, and departure training, and leading both classroom academics and live sorties in platforms like the F-16 and ASK-21. From 2020 to 2023, he served as Chief T-38 Instructor Pilot at TPS, shaping the next generation of test pilots and engineers.
His résumé is lined with elite honors:
- Distinguished Graduate of ENJJPT, the F-15C initial course, and USAF TPS Class 12B
- David B. Barnes Outstanding Flight Instructor Award (4x recipient)
- Bobby Bond Memorial Aviator Award (2014), recognizing excellence in flight test
- Top 50 NASA Astronaut Finalist (2017), chosen from over 18,000 applicants
Outside of military service, Krown holds an ATP certificate for multi-engine aircraft and CFI ratings in airplanes and gliders. With over 3,300 flight hours in 75 different aircraft types, his experience is broad, deep, and unparalleled.
At Strike Flyers, Krown delivers high-stakes expertise in UPRT, spin dynamics, and precision flight testing, offering civilian pilots access to a level of instruction rarely found outside elite military environments.
Sam Robinson
Aerobatic Instructor & UPRT Specialist
With over eight years of instructional experience and more than 2,000 hours of dual given, Sam Robinson is a skilled and passionate aviation educator. As the 2017 IAC Collegiate National Champion, Sam brings a strong foundation in competition aerobatics, specializing in advanced UPRT, spin training, and performance-focused instruction.
Sam’s instructional repertoire spans a variety of aircraft platforms, including the Decathlon, Pitts, Extra, and Gamebird, giving him the versatility to work with pilots of all skill levels—from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Currently flying as a First Officer at Southwest Airlines, Sam combines real-world airline experience with deep aerobatic expertise. His ability to bridge the gap between professional airline operations and grassroots stick-and-rudder flying makes him a valuable resource for pilots seeking to elevate their skills, confidence, and safety margins.
Whether in the cockpit of a high-performance taildragger or a commercial jet, Sam brings a passion for aviation excellence and a commitment to the highest standards of flight training.
Josh Gregg
Aerobatic Instructor & Competition Pilot
For the past five years, Josh Gregg has been chasing the thrill of aerobatic flight, mastering the art of precision, speed, and gravity-defying maneuvers. As a rising star in the Intermediate category of IAC competition, Josh has landed on the podium an impressive eight times, including three first-place finishes—a testament to his focus, discipline, and passion for the craft.
Josh brings boundless energy and a relentless drive for improvement to every flight. Whether it’s refining a snap roll or perfecting a vertical tumble, his approach is methodical, yet fearless. A proud Colorado native, he was born for altitude—and the sky is his playground.
When he’s not twisting and tumbling through aerobatic routines, Josh serves as a First Officer at Southwest Airlines, where he brings the same dedication to professionalism and safety at 35,000 feet as he does in a low-level aerobatic box.
For Josh, aerobatics is more than sport—it’s art in motion. And in his words, “sometimes the best view comes when you’re flipping the world upside down.”
Jared Hulse
Instructor Pilot & Aerobatics Specialist
Jared Hulse is a seasoned aviator whose career spans diverse roles across both commercial and specialized aviation. Currently flying for Flexjet since May 2024, Jared brings a wealth of airline experience from his time with Frontier Airlines and Mesa Airlines, where he refined his skills in high-tempo commercial operations.
Before transitioning to business aviation, Jared built a strong foundation in aerial patrol work with KCSI Aerial Patrol Inc., and developed instructional expertise at Aspen Flying Club. His aerobatic credentials were forged at Sky Combat Ace, where he specialized in both aerobatic and formation flight instruction—giving him the edge in high-energy maneuvering and precision flying.
Jared holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Metropolitan State University of Denver, underscoring his technical understanding of aircraft systems, navigation, and performance. His well-rounded background includes experience in aerobatics, IFR operations, and general aviation, making him a versatile and capable instructor.
Before aviation, Jared honed his communication and customer service skills in the hospitality industry as a bartender—an experience that shaped his approachable and engaging teaching style. Today, he blends technical expertise with a passion for performance flying to help Strike Flyers students unlock their full potential in the cockpit.
Wayne Forbes
Senior Aerobatics & UPRT Instructor
Wayne Forbes brings a legacy of aviation excellence to Strike Flyers, with a 37-year flying career and over 32,000 hours logged in more than 45 different aircraft types. From the remote airstrips of Alaska to the flight decks of major airlines, Wayne’s journey has been defined by adaptability, leadership, and an unwavering love for flight.
Wayne began his aviation path at Colorado AeroTech, earning his A&P certifications before joining Pratt & Whitney as an engine technician. But the pull of the cockpit soon led him to Emery Aviation College, where he completed every pilot certificate from Private through CFII and MEI.
His first instructional post took him to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he trained pilots from private through commercial levels in Cessna and Piper aircraft, and introduced spin training and basic aerobatics in a Citabria.
In 1991, with 1,000 hours logged, Wayne pursued a dream of flying in Alaska—a chapter that would define the next decade. He amassed nearly 15,000 hours flying rugged bush aircraft like the Cessna 180/185, Beaver, Otter, King Air, and even the DC-3, on wheels, floats, and skis across some of North America’s most unforgiving terrain. He also served as an Instructor Pilot, Check Airman, and Director of Pilot Training under both Part 135 and 121 operations.
Wayne later joined United Airlines, flying the Boeing 757 and 767, then transitioned to Frontier Airlines after 9/11, where he now serves as a senior Captain on the Airbus A320 and A321.
Beyond the airlines, Wayne is an elite-level aerobatic competitor and coach. Over the past five years, he’s competed at the national level, earning 2nd place at the 2023 U.S. Nationals and winning the L. Paul Soucy Award—given to the highest-scoring aerobatic pilot of the year.
Wayne’s deep operational background, instructional experience, and national-level aerobatic performance make him an invaluable asset to Strike Flyers and an inspiration to every pilot he mentors.