Brian Dubois

Certificated Flight Instructor

Brian began flying years ago with a goal of becoming an airline captain. After 9/11, and with career prospects not looking great at the time, he accepted a position as an air traffic controller with the FAA. That career has sustained him for close to twenty years and he is now able to spend his off duty time flying and instructing, making good on the dream he had years ago.

Freudy Gonzalez Castillo

Certificated Flight Instructor

After completing his career in the US Marine Corps, Freudy decided to pursue the thing he dreamt about as a young boy; flying. Already an accomplished skydiver, Freudy took to aviation naturally. He looks forward to showing his students just how much fun flying can be. The more fun you’re having, the more you’re learning. 

Alexis Hesse

Certificated Flight Instructor

Alexis took an early interest in aviation and learned to fly in North Dakota. She was a member of the University of North Dakota flying team and spent the summer flying for the North Dakota cloud modification project. Afterwards, she came to New England to pursue her instrument instructor rating and is looking forward to teaching others and cultivating a passion for aviation

Eugene Kang

Certificated Flight Instructor

Eugene has always been fascinated with machines that move whether it be trains, buses or airplanes. He worked for a time as a bus driver, only to be left feeling that he could and should do more. He decided it was time to fly and with the support of his wife and children, embarked on a career as a pilot. As a flight instructor, he hopes to work to the benefit of others in pursuit of their dreams of flight. 

Tess Kuenzi

Certificated Flight Instructor

Tess grew up around aviation and was somewhat destined to become a pilot. Hailing from the great state of Wisconsin, and not at all far from EAA, flying has been a part of Tess’s life from the get go. Now, she is excited to inspire the next generation of up and comers and help them make flying part of their life, too. 

Andrew O’Connor

Certificated Flight Instructor

For some, the idea of jumping out of an airplane is unfathomable. Remarkably, it was that experience that inspired Andrew to pursue a career in aviation. As an Army paratrooper, he logged many jumps in a variety of conditions that gave him an insight few have. Now as a CFI, instead of jumping out of airplanes, he is guiding students in the fine art of flying and landing them.   

Schyler Sapinski

Certificated Flight Instructor

Schyler grew up in the northeast, where from an early age, he had a dream to learn to fly. That dream became a reality when he began his training in Connecticut and continued his education in Florida. There he completed his Certified Flight Instructor training, However, he wanted to return home to be closer to family and enjoy the New England climate. Now Schyler wants to share the joy of flight with his new community. 

Jake VanHouse

Certificated Flight Instructor

Jake was about to become a doctor when he took a commercial that rekindled his childhood obsession with flying. He had taken some flight lessons while in high school, but a bad experience with a bad instructor led him to believe that flying wasn’t for him. After that transformative commercial flight, he attacked his flight training with renewed vigor and redirected his studies towards the skies. 

Vicky Kuo

Chief Flight Instructor

Vicky was given an introductory flight as a gift several years ago. She was instantly hooked and devoted herself to her training. She completed all of her flight training in only a year and a half and has amassed close to 7,000 hours of providing flight instruction to students. When she is not instructing, she may be found exploring southern New England in her Falco F.8L.

Bobby Hamrick

Director of Maintenance

Bobby’s biggest hero is his grandmother. As the first female certificated auto mechanic ever in the state of Arkansas, she inspired Bobby to explore the world of machinery and to become an expert in his craft. With a world class work ethic and an unwavering devotion to family, Bobby brings his best to everything and everyone he encounters.

Julian Natale

Mechanic Apprentice

Pursuing aviation professionally was never a thought for Julian, it was just something he knew he would do. He began flying at Horizon Aviation when he was just 15 and obtained his private pilot certificate at only 17 years old. Now a graduate with a degree in aviation management, Julian is working to complete his A&P as well as his commercial pilot certificate.

Steve Derosiers

Manager

Steve grew up near the New Bedford Airport and remembers watching airplanes come and go as a child alongside his father, also a pilot. An invitation to explore an early Gulfstream I cemented a lifelong fascination with flying. The airplane that continues to consume Steve’s imagination is the 7-ton, P-47 Thunderbolt fighter/bomber from World War II.

Tori Kennedy

Manager

Matt McMerriman

Manager

Zeke Valtz

President

Zeke has been surrounded by aviation his entire life. After years spent flying throughout the midwest, Zeke acquired Horizon Aviation in 2002. Flying is his life’s passion and is matched only by his love of teaching new pilots the art of flying, and providing a path for people to realize their dreams of flight.