Aidan B.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Aidan grew up attending airshows, where his passion for aviation first took flight. Originally from Simsbury, Connecticut, he turned that interest into a career path by enrolling in the professional flight program at Purdue University. There, he earned all his certificates and ratings. Along the way, he also discovered a strong enthusiasm for instructing and helping others succeed in the cockpit. Outside the airplane, Aidan enjoys golf, working out, traveling, and all things military aviation. He’s excited to pass on his knowledge and inspire the next generation of pilots.

Jonathan C.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Jonathan’s first dream in life was to learn how to fly. After pursuing a career as an actor in NYC, he finally realized that first dream. Inspired by the life of possibilities that aviation presents, he loves helping students achieve their dreams. An experienced instructor, Jonathan is excited about the busy Horizon schedule and the beautiful scenery that New England flying has to offer.

Maddie D.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Growing up in Vermont, Maddie’s first taste of aviation was flying over the Green Mountains with her dad (a former Horizon student). At 10 years old, she met a female Southwest captain and realized exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up. After moving to Florida to complete her training at ATP Flight School, she is back home in New England to teach the next generation of pilots. As a licensed seaplane pilot, Maddie wants to someday fly seaplanes, ski planes, and bush planes in the middle of nowhere Alaska.

Emerson H.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Emerson has always been fascinated with all things mechanical. From cars to motorcycles and naturally, airplanes. After 18 years in the automotive motorsports industry, he decided to have his childhood dream of becoming a pilot realized. He now wishes to share his enthusiasm for flying and feels deep pride in his privilege as an ambassador for aviation.

Woosuk J.

Check Instructor

Woosuk’s journey into aviation began with a deep fascination with the skies. From a young age, he was drawn to the beauty of airplanes and the precision involved in aviation which led him to take his first discovery flight over the Pyramids. This curiosity grew into a passion as he attended Kansas State University to pursue an aviation degree. His dream is to not only earn his wings but also use his experience to inspire others to pursue aviation and believe in their potential. Whether it is in the cockpit, or in the classroom, he strives to keep learning, flying, and helping others soar. 

Joseph K.

Certificated Flight Instructor

From a young age, Joseph has always been an aviation geek. He loves sharing his passion for aviation with others!

Joseph also believes that the aviation community is truly special and unique! He loves being a part of it and looks forward to giving back and growing that community as a flight instructor.

Bernd M.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Bernd was always interested in aviation from a young age. He didn’t realize that he wanted to become a pilot until after graduating from college though. After a trip to Alaska with a few buddies where he saw airplanes everywhere, Bernd quickly booked a discovery flight with Horizon Aviation. After that flight, he was immediately hooked. He is now eager to pass this love for aviation to others and help his students achieve their aviation goals! 

Lily P.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Aviation was never on Lily’s radar before college. She was originally going to school for the medical field. A friend convinced her to take a discovery flight just for fun and she found a hidden passion for aviation. Lily’s ultimate goal is to combine the two fields as an aeromedical pilot flying patient transport missions for hospitals.

Safa S.

Check Instructor

Safa knew she wanted to be an astronaut at age 8, and that led her to pursue a career in the Air Force. She served as a flight instructor, F-15C pilot, F-15/F-16 experimental test pilot and she flew over 35 different kinds of aircraft. When the time came to apply for the space program, she realized that people were more important to her than space. This began a different journey where she spent time overseas helping people, became a 737 pilot for American Airlines, transferred to an overseas airline, and, at a mentor’s suggestion, finished a PhD in engineering. She now works at MIT and serves as a Check Instructor at Horizon Aviation, passing on the lessons and help she’s received along the way.

Harry S.

Certificated Flight Instructor

We could not be more excited to have Harry with us as a Certified Flight Instructor! Harry was born and raised right here in Boston Mass. He is a Salve Regina alum and a graduate from the New England School of Photography! Early in his career, he began was a professional photographer, capturing moments through his lens. Now, the cockpit is the right fit for Harry to merge his love for visual arts with the thrill of aviation! Outside the cockpit he is a proud father with a dream of flying for the airlines and being able to introduce more people from his community to the world of aviation. As a Black-American he looks forward to contributing to the diversity and inclusivity of Horizon Aviation!

Brian Shamblen

Chief Flight Instructor

Brian became a Private Pilot with Horizon years ago before completing all of his advanced flight training at the University of North Dakota. Competing on his school’s flying team fine tuned his prowess in the cockpit, particularly in spot landing competitions. He aspires to one day own an amphibious Super Cub. Now, Brian serves as Horizon’s Chief Flight Instructor.

Alexis H.

Assistant Chief 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

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. The FAA recognizes this commitment to be the best with an A&P certificate with Inspection Authorization (A&P IA).

Julian N.

A&P Technician

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 fully fledged A&P as well as a future commercial pilot.

Tim C.

Maintenance Assistant

The aviation bug bit Tim at a young age. He was given an introductory flight as a birthday gift. Once given the controls,Tim found the freedom of flight. As he considered career options he knew it had to be in aviation – regardless of the role. Eventually Tim enlisted in the United States Air Force and became an aircraft mechanic. After leaving the Air Force, his love of aviation and joy of working with his hands solving puzzles lead Tim to Horizon Aviation as our Maintenance Assistant!

Tori Kennedy

Director, Student Services

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.

Jake Payne

Manager

Growing up in an airline family, Jake was introduced to aviation at a very young age. Some of his fondest memories include visiting his Dad at the airport to watch the planes and as a Rhode Island native, going to the Quonset Air Show every year. He reignited his passion when took his first introductory flight later in life at Horizon, as he was finishing up his degree at URI. He continues to take flight lessons as he works towards his dream of becoming a pilot. 

Mike Mayer

President

Mike grew up next to the Dutchess County Airport in New York, and has always looked up when an airplane flies overhead. From about age 5, Mike took every opportunity to fly in his Grandpa’s Cessna P210 and turned his own flying dreams into reality by earning his wings with Horizon Aviation. After earning his CFI certificate with Horizon in 2020, Mike decided it was time to make the slow transition from a successful career as a cloud software executive and volunteer SkyHope and Pilots ‘n Paws pilot to full time flight instructor. In January of 2026, Mike purchased New Horizon Aviation, Inc. to make this dream a reality! You might find Mike outside of Horizon buzzing around in his BL8 Super Decathlon, T-6C Texan, or Cessna 303 Crusader.