We strive to not merely fly, but to become excellent aviators and to never slow in the pursuit of that perfection.
The Finer Points is about excellence. As pilots we strive to not merely fly, but to become excellent aviators. As an instructor I work to create the most efficient and effective training experience. I often tell my students that I have two goals for them: one is that they pass the check ride on the first attempt, and the second is that they never die in an airplane. I believe those two goals are one and the same. Over the last 20 years I have worked to refine the art of flight instruction, working to understand where and when to employ various tools of teaching. As a company we are driven to optimize our performance in everything we do and to never slow in the pursuit of that perfection. We find focus in the guiding principle that what we do must be excellent—both the result and the experience of getting there.
Our original, flagship product is “The Finer Points – Aviation Podcast,” a bi-monthly training podcast that elaborates on many of the above-mentioned strategies. The critically acclaimed podcast has delivered more than 3m flight training files to pilots all over the world and has grown into a popular YouTube channel through which we publish bi-monthly training videos. These practical training videos stand out because they are derived from real flight training experience.
— Jason Miller
Founder, The Finer Points
Jason Miller
Jason Miller is a CFII with more than 20 years of aviation experience and nearly 10,000 hours of instruction given. Jason is a member of the FAA safety team, an instructor for AOPA’s Air Safety Institute and was named by the FAA as the western pacific CFI of the year for 2009 and 2016.
“I am passionate about developing systems that help pilots become safer and more efficient.” Says Miller.
Using his background as a performer and experience on the flight line, Jason created “The Finer Points – Aviation Podcast,”, one of the most recognized and well respected aviation podcasts in the world.
Todd Eichel
Todd Eichel is a software engineer working in San Francisco. Having previously served as the founding engineer of two companies, Todd now helps startups with full stack technology solutions. Todd values simplicity and clarity in design, good user experience, and quality products. With The Finer Points he's working to apply the ideas and principles of Silicon Valley to aviation.
An instrument rated private pilot, Todd loves to use his Cirrus SR22T for travel. When not flying himself, Todd enjoys flying commercial to new destinations and learning new things on the internet.
Jacob Cross
Jacob is a video producer and editor working in San Diego. He’s worked with companies big and small to create digital content that’s been seen hundreds of millions of times by viewers around the world. Jacob heads up Creative at The Finer Points, helping create digital assets and develop brand partnerships.
As an instrument rated private pilot, Jacob enjoys flying around Southern California with his family and friends.
Christopher Bordenave is an Air Force veteran, active CFII, and major airline pilot. He is typed in the C-130, Lear 35, Global Express, and is currently flying the A300 when not flying in his PA-12. He has been an active team member with The Finer Points since 2019 and is also one of our instructors on the Airplane Camp Adventure Trips.
Harald Snook is an accomplished airline pilot with over 16,000 flight hours and extensive experience across multiple aircraft types, including the Airbus A321 and A330, Boeing 747 and 767, and Bombardier CRJ series. Currently a Captain at Hawaiian Airlines, he has held various positions since joining the company in 2008, showcasing his proficiency in both domestic and international flight operations. Prior to his aviation career, Harald worked as a software engineer at Hewlett Packard in the USA and Germany. He holds multiple aviation certifications, including FAA and JCAB ATPLs and an EASA PPL, and is fluent in both English and German.
Since 2007, Ben Samra has been collecting FAA ratings, building on his background in aircraft maintenance to become a dedicated flight instructor. Known for his commitment to aviation safety and the long-haul of pilot education, Ben founded Aircraft Quali-Fly in 2020. He focuses on specialized training, assisting pilots transitioning into new aircraft. Ben always enjoys learning a new type and sharing his knowledge thus far. If he's not reviving an airplane barn find, you might find him at the nearest SkyClub, off to get lost in a foreign language, all made possible by the folks that love aviation.
Kurt is a CFI, CFII, and MEI who has been a part of the Finer Points team since 2020. He has had experience working as a Flight instructor for a Part 141 school as well as working with the FAA doing currency flights and pre-employment check rides for FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors. He now is a First Office for a regional airline flying the CRJ-700 out of DFW.
Susannah Weaver is a student pilot in Oregon with a Master’s Degree in Education. She got her start in aviation with The Finer Points online ground school in 2023, and was brought on as a content copy editor shortly thereafter. She has been a dedicated teacher in the Portland area for over a decade, an inductee to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame as a local singer/songwriter in 2019, and is the proud mother of an OSU Honors College sophomore. Working on her Private out of Aurora State Airport, she plans on Instrument and Commercial ratings, and hopes to eventually be an effective CFI.
Ryan is a full-time CFI, CFII, and MEI in Portland, Oregon. He's also the Director of Maintenance for his local flying club.
Janelle Hayibor grew up globe-trotting and savors every chance she gets to fly. She's passionate about providing quality customer service and helping others reach their goals. She's now settled in Chicago and works from home as a full-time, home-schooling mom of two.