Meet Thorny
Michael "Thorny" Brewer
Aviator. Educator. Leader.
Michael "Thorny" Brewer has spent a career doing what most pilots only dream about — and then dedicated himself to helping others do the same. His path through aviation spans general aviation, the United States Air Force, the USAF Thunderbirds, commercial airline operations, and a deep commitment to aviation education.
What sets Thorny apart is not just the breadth of his experience — it is the way he brings it to bear for the people he works with. Whether in the cockpit, in front of an audience, or at the design table for a training program, the mission is the same: help people get better.
A Career in Aviation
the foundation
education & early education
Brewer’s aviation career began well before the military. A lifelong general aviation pilot, he graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, in 2005 before commissioning through Officer Training School in 2010. He later completed Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base as a Distinguished Graduate, receiving the Air Education and Training Command Commander’s Trophy and Flying Training Award.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
MILITARY aviation
Following pilot training, Brewer served in multiple assignments flying the F-15E Strike Eagle, including roles as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and RAF Lakenheath. His military flying includes combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. Across the F-15E and F-16, he has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours, including more than 315 combat hours.
USAF THUNDERBIRDS
THE THUNDERBIRDS
Brewer was selected to serve with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, flying the F-16 as Thunderbird #3 and #4 before later serving in a training and instructor role. The experience brought together precision flying, teamwork, preparation, public outreach, and mentorship while representing the United States Air Force before audiences across the country and around the world.
test & evaluation
operational test pilot
Brewer served as an F-15E operational test pilot at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, evaluating aircraft systems, capabilities, tactics, and emerging technologies before their introduction to operational forces. The assignment combined operational flying experience with disciplined test and evaluation, providing a unique perspective on how new capabilities are developed, assessed, and ultimately employed by frontline aircrews.
professional aviation
AIRLINE CAPTAIN & AIR FORCE RESERVE INSTRUCTOR
Brewer continues to fly professionally across both civilian and military aviation. Today, he serves as a Boeing 737 Captain with United Airlines while continuing his military service as an F-15E Instructor Pilot in the United States Air Force Reserve. These parallel roles keep him actively engaged in airline operations, advanced military flight instruction, crew dynamics, standardization, human factors, and the continued development of professional aviators.
teaching & mentorship
aviation educator
Teaching has remained a constant throughout Brewer’s aviation career. He holds a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Aeronautics for Embry-Riddle Worldwide. In addition to higher education, he continues to instruct and mentor pilots across military, professional, and general aviation, bringing together decades of operational experience with a passion for developing the next generation of aviators.
Speaker Introduction Bio
For event organizers, meeting planners, and hosts — copy or download the text below for use in printed programs, introductions, and promotional materials.
Short Bio
Michael "Thorny" Brewer is a United Airlines captain, adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and F-15E Instructor Pilot in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. With more than 25 years of flying experience, he has accumulated over 7,000 hours in more than 50 aircraft types. His military career has included service as an F-15E operational test pilot, instructor pilot, flight commander, and combat aviator, as well as flying the F-16 with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as Thunderbird #3 and #4. He has more than 2,500 hours in the F-15E and F-16, including over 315 combat hours. Brewer holds a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle and has received multiple awards for his contributions to aviation education. He continues to promote aviation through teaching, public speaking, mentorship, and outreach while sharing his passion for flying with his wife and four sons.
Full Bio
Michael "Thorny" Brewer is a United Airlines captain, adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and F-15E Instructor Pilot in the United States Air Force Reserve. He has more than 25 years of flying experience and has accumulated over 7,000 flight hours in more than 50 types of general aviation, transport, and military aircraft.
Brewer is a 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, and was commissioned through Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in 2010. He attended Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate and receiving both the Air Education and Training Command Commander's Trophy and Flying Training Award.
Following pilot training, Brewer served in multiple assignments flying the F-15E Strike Eagle. His military career has included assignments as an F-15E Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and RAF Lakenheath, England, as well as service as an F-15E operational test pilot at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. In the operational test community, he helped evaluate aircraft systems, capabilities, tactics, and emerging technologies before their introduction to operational forces.
Brewer later served with the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, flying the F-16 as Thunderbird #3 and #4. During his time with the team, he also served as the Thunderbirds' Training Officer and Lead Instructor Pilot, where he helped redesign and modernize the team's training program by combining military flight instruction with civilian instructional concepts and adult-learning principles.
He has accumulated more than 2,500 hours in the F-15E and F-16, including more than 315 combat hours over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
Brewer's civilian aviation career has been equally diverse. He has served as an airline captain, instructor, and evaluator, including previous flying positions with Mesa Airlines and in Part 135 operations. Today, he serves as a captain with United Airlines while continuing to instruct and mentor pilots across military, professional, and general aviation environments.
In 2020, Brewer earned a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide, with a specialization in Adult Education in Aviation. His passion for teaching extends into higher education, where he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Aeronautics for Embry-Riddle Worldwide. His contributions to aviation education have been recognized through honors including Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Visionary Educator awards.
Outside the cockpit and classroom, Brewer is an advocate for aviation education and the next generation of pilots. Through public speaking, outreach, mentorship, and flight instruction, he works to share the opportunities and responsibilities that come with aviation. When not flying professionally, he enjoys traveling with his wife and four sons and introducing his family to aviation through their Cessna 150.
Event Introduction
Michael "Thorny" Brewer is a United Airlines captain, adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and F-15E Instructor Pilot in the United States Air Force Reserve.
Over more than 25 years of flying, he has accumulated more than 7,000 hours in over 50 aircraft types. His military career has included service as an F-15E operational test pilot, instructor pilot, flight commander, and combat aviator, as well as flying the F-16 with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as Thunderbird #3 and #4.
With more than 315 combat hours and extensive experience in aviation education and instruction, Thorny has dedicated much of his career to developing pilots, instructors, and future aviation professionals.
Please welcome Michael "Thorny" Brewer.
Work With Thorny
Whether you are looking for flight instruction, a speaker for your event, or consulting support for your organization, reach out to start the conversation.