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

Kyle Sauvageau

Cirrus CFI/CFII
Cirrus Program Manager

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

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.”

David Chambless

Cirrus CFI/CFII
Head of Training and Simulation
CFI 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.”

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.

Luke Rhinehart

Cirrus CFI/CFII

Details

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI

Flight Experience: Air Venture – KOLV Olive Branch, MS
ATP Flight School – KIWA Mesa, AZ

What is rewarding to you about being a CFI?
I love the fact that I get to experience the joy and eagerness that these new pilots feel. It’s crazy to watch them grow and learn from myself and their peers. Reminds me everyday why I joined aviation in the first place.

Favorite Quote: “Work for that feeling that you have accomplished something… Don’t waste your time on this earth without making a mark.” – Joe Rogan

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!”

Justin Feldewerth

Cirrus CFI

Details

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Ratings: CFI | Commercial single | Instrument | Private Pilot Glider |Advanced Ground Instructor

Specialty: Cirrus Aircraft

Flight Experience: 12 years of flight experience flying Cirrus Aircraft

What Makes Being a CFI Rewarding? Getting to take all of my knowledge and years of flight experience and pass that on to the next generation of aviators to help them become better not only as aviators but as individuals as well.

Favorite Quote: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence” -Vince Lombardi

Timothy 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

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.”

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

Nicholas Fournier

Cessna & Cirrus CFI/CFII

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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>

Bobby Wendt

Cessna & Cirrus CFI/CFII

Details

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Certifications and Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI, Commercial Pilot (SEL/MEL), Instrument Airplane, Complex, High-Performance.

Aircraft Expertise: Cessna 172, Cirrus TAA, Piper PA-44 Seminole, Diamond DA42

Flight Experience: Over four years of flight experience operating in Arizona and Southern California, with extensive familiarity throughout the Southwestern United States. Scottsdale Executive Flight Training; Emory University B.A. (2023).

What is rewarding to you about being a CFI? I have wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid. Now, as an instructor, watching my students’ confidence grow and knowing I have played a part in their development as safe, skilled pilots is deeply rewarding.

Favorite Quote:“Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.” – Eddie Rickenbacker”

Maddie Moles

Cessna CFI/CFII

Details

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Ratings: IRA, CSEL/MEL, CFI, CFII, Complex

Flight Experience/Training: Illinois Aviation Academy, Leopard Aviation, Sierra Charlie Aviation

What is rewarding to you about being a CFI? Being able to share my passion for aviation with others & being able to help shape the next generation of aviators.

Favorite Quote: “The most effective way to do something is to just do it.”