Instructors
Meet our professional team of Certified Flight Instructors!
Our team of experienced and certified flight instructors brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the training experience. Each instructor is dedicated to providing personalized instruction tailored to your unique learning style and goals.
Our instructors are handpicked and specifically trained to teach the latest techniques in a Cessna and Cirrus aircraft. With a focus on safety, our instructors are here to guide you every step of the way, whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills.
Flight Instructors
David Chambless
Cirrus CFI/CFII
Cirrus Program Manager
Details
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
Ratings: Air Transport Pilot (ATP), CFII MEI, Advanced Ground Instructor Instrument, Type ratings in B737, A320, BE1900, BE300
Aircraft Specialty: Cirrus TAA aircraft and applying the training and operating philosophies of Cirrus into learning, understanding, and operating the aircraft efficiently and confidently.
Flight Experience: 52 years of flying, 33 years in the airline industry, retired American Airlines captain.
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
After a career of professional flying I enjoy working with people on the basics of flying and building a foundation of experience and confidence in their aviation endeavors.
Favorite Quote: “A good pilot is always learning.”
Andrew Hubler
Cessna CFI/CFII
Cessna Program Manager
Details
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
Ratings: CFI/CFI-I, Commercial Single, Instrument, High altitude
Flight Experience: B.S. Mechanical Engineering – Colorado State University. Sawyer Flight Academy (AZ), American Flyers (AZ), Greeley Flight School (CO).
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
I love seeing students progress from no experience to becoming a proficient pilot. It’s always a fun challenge to tailor my lessons to each student because everyone learns differently.
Favorite Quote: “Taking off is optional, landing is mandatory.”
Collin Walker
Cessna & Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Ratings: CFI, Commercial Multi/Single, Instrument, Complex/High Performance Endorsement
Flight Experience/Training: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Aeronautical Science Fixed-wing pathway
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
The most rewarding aspect of being a CFI is seeing the hard work and goals I put into flying transferred into clients, allowing them to achieve their dreams much like I did.
Favorite Quote: “Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.” –Roy T. Bennett
Kyle Sauvageau
Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Ratings: Commercial Multi/Single, CFI, Advanced Ground Instructor, Instrument
Aircraft Specialty: Cirrus TAA aircraft and applying the training and operating philosophies of Cirrus into learning, understanding, and operating the aircraft efficiently and confidently. Beech Bonanza, Diamond DA42, and Cessna 172
Flight Experience: 10 years of total flying experience with 9 years in the Cirrus; Scottsdale Executive Flight Training, Scottsdale, AZ (Primary and CFI); Blue Line Aviation, Smithfield, NC (Commercial)
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
Being able to give back to aviation, building confidence in my students, and helping them advance to new levels- altogether, I love making aviation more fun and safe at the same time for everyone.
Favorite Quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Nick Ford
Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Houston, TX
Ratings: CFI | CFII | MEI
Aircraft specialty: Cirrus
Flight Experience: The United Aviate Academy
What’s rewarding about being CFI: The best part about being a CFI is allowing others to experience the passion and joy of the aviation community. Seeing that initial breakout and the perseverance a student has to accomplish this goal is what drives me to become the best CFI I can.
Favorite Quote: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Nicolas Tan
Cessna & Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Auburn, CA
Ratings: CFI, CFII, Instrument Airplane, High performance
Flight Experience: B.S. Business Management – ASU (2025); Scottsdale Executive Flight Training
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
I would say the most rewarding aspect is witnessing the transformation of students from walking in as beginners to leaving as proficient pilots. Seeing their confidence soar as they master the art of flying is truly gratifying for me. It’s fulfilling to share my passion for aviation and knowledge with eager learners, guiding them through challenges and celebrating their achievements along the way.
Favorite Quote: “There are old pilots and there are bold pilots. However, there are no old, bold pilots.”
Steve Knott
Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Ratings: ATP, CFII, MEII, AGII, Remote Pilot, A&P, Inspection Authorization, types: B737, BD700, BE40, C56XL, CL604, DA50, HS125, LRJET, LR45, MU30
Specialty: Advanced Instruction
Flight Experience: 13,000+ hrs
What Makes Being a CFI Rewarding? I enjoy watching pilots hone their skills and become better than they thought they could possibly be!
Favorite Quote: “No matter what you do, have fun doing it!”
Nick Lane
Cessna & Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Kent, Washington
Certifications and Ratings: CFI, CFII, Commercial Pilot (SEL/MEL), Instrument, Complex, High-Performance
Aircraft Expertise: Cessna 172, Cirrus TAA, Garmin Avionics
Flight Experience: Over five years of flight experience across the Western and Southeastern United States
What Makes Being a CFI Rewarding? There’s no prouder moment than witnessing a student’s transformation—from hesitantly banking the airplane no more than five degrees to confidently standing on the ramp after completing their first solo flight.
Favorite Quote: “It’s always sunny at 36,000 feet.”
Nick Fournier
Cessna & Cirrus CFI/CFII
Details
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Ratings: CFI, CFII, CPL SEL/MEL, Instrument Airplane, Complex, High performance
Flight Experience/Training: B.S. Aeronautical Science Fixed-Wing; Minor in Applied Meteorology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Embry-Riddle’s Flight Honors Achievement Award Recipient
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
I enjoy being a servant leader in the aviation community. To be able to watch my student smile behind the controls makes me remember my time as a student when I first started this journey. I enjoy teaching my students how to be effective leaders in and out of the cockpit in hopes that they will one day share my teachings to other students.
Favorite Quote: “Stay the Course” – Pepere,/p>
Tim Carson
Cessna CFI
Details
Hometown: Perryopolis, PA
Ratings: CFI, Commercial Single, Instrument, High Performance Endorsement
Flight Experience/Training: Kent State University BS Aeronautical Studies, Minor Flight Dispatch.
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
Seeing that lightbulb moment when everything comes together and the joy the student and I can share together while reaching milestones in their aviation careers.
Favorite Quote: “Focus on the journey, not the destination.” – Chris Hadfield
Brandon Egercic
Cessna CFI
Details
Hometown: Petersburg, Ohio
Ratings: Comm SEL, High Performance, CFI
Aircraft Specialty: Cessna
Flight Experience: Arizona Flight Training Center / Civil Air Patrol
What is rewarding to you about being a CFI? In anything that I do, I enjoy seeing all steps of progression/growth and even a finished product if given the opportunity. To share the passion for aviation and have a direct hand in shaping and molding future airmen, provides the greatest excitement for the endeavor.
Favorite Quote: “The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience: – Frank Herbert