Like many pilots, I dreamed of flying professionally. After high school, I went away to a fancy flight university, but it really wasn’t in my family’s budget. I ran out of funding and had to put flying on hold. In the meantime, I worked as a flight attendant, airline customer service agent, and even a travel agent! I eventually got back to the front seat, completing the rest of my training at Bill Law Aviation. I became a flight instructor and worked for Bill, then as an independent CFI in Texas. I flew as a pilot for regional and major airlines, our local air ambulance, and Fortune 100 companies. I currently fly private jets for some local customers. In my spare time, I am a FAASTeam Representative with the Rochester FSDO, help chair local aviation safety events and serve on my local library board. My diverse experiences in the aviation industry have offered me a great variety of perspectives to use to help shape the customer experience here at RAC.

My primary focus these days is aviation education. I have a passion for helping aviators and instructors hone their skills with an emphasis on safety, critical thinking, and sound decision making. When I worked on my private pilot training, I was a terrible student! I didn’t come prepared and expected my instructor to spoon-feed me. This is not the way to go! I figured that out two days before my first checkride. Now I make it my mission to help customers learn to be voracious learners and drive their own paths toward success!

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI – Gold Seal

Specialties:
Quality assurance in aviation education. Ensuring top-notch customer service. Managing crews and resources. Matching instructors to candidates. Helping students learn to be voracious learners. Providing aviation career guidance and mentorship.

Other Professional Qualifications:
ATP Multi-Engine. Type Ratings: DC-9, BE-1900, DA50, CE550, LJ60

Availability:
You will typically find me in the RAC main office during business hours, greeting customers and overseeing day-to-day operations. You’ll often catch me giving impromptu ground instruction over the counter. I love to give advice! I occasionally offer supplemental flight instruction on an as-needed basis.

Chief Instructor John has likely trained more pilots than most other people on the planet. He has also provided a lifetime of service to both his country and community. John is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and beyond. John’s level of knowledge in aviation education is awe inspiring. He is a consummate professional, leader, and mentor. Every pilot who walks through the door aspires to have the longevity in their aviation career that John has had. He completed his first solo flight in 1952 and has since provided over 20,000 hours of flight instruction, which includes training several hundred Certified Flight Instructors for their initial ratings. John embodies the term “aviation expertise.” When John is not out flying, his office door is always open to any student who needs ground instruction, advice, or guidance- in flight training or otherwise. Stop by and visit with him!

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII, MEI – Gold Seal

Specialties:
Flight instructor training. Instrument and commercial pilot instruction, multi-engine rating, complex, high-performance, and tail-wheel endorsements.

Other Professional Qualifications: Recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

Availability:
Most weekdays. Some weekends.

My brother took me on an “intro flight” when I was 10 years old – and from that moment on I knew I was destined to fly. Family and life put that on hold for a “few” years, but finally getting that private pilot certificate turned out to be everything I thought it would be and more. It was an easy decision to leave the leadership of a 50 person $2.5B sales organization to become a flight instructor as a new career. I enjoy sharing the excitement a student pilots feels after a first solo, learning a difficult maneuver, or passing a check ride. That’s why I teach. I’m a decent golfer, a terrible drummer, but my most favorite interest is my ever-growing family.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII

Specialties:
Primary instrument instruction and proficiency, Cirrus transition, technically advanced aircraft, initial flight instructor training

Other Qualifications:
MBA, retired healthcare sales executive

Availability:
Full-time, weekdays

My flight instruction career essentially began with Bill Law Aviation in 1988. I worked as a full-time Engineer for Kodak, while also flying professionally and flight instructing. I’m currently an engineering manager for a local company, but I probably couldn’t engineer my way out of a paper bag. When I’m not flying, I enjoy skiing and golfing- but I’m not a very good golfer either. I am, however, quite good at teaching people how to fly airplanes. I enjoy the work of rebuilding and sharpening the skills of “rusty pilots” and teaching the fundamentals of instrument and multi-engine flying.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII, MEI

Specialties:
Instrument and multi-engine instruction, flight reviews and “rusty pilots”

Other Qualifications:
ATP, Mechanical Engineer

Availability:
Part-time, primarily weekday evenings

I am a Western New York native and full-time corporate pilot. I take pride in being detailed and safety-oriented and aim to instill those same values in my students. My instruction style focuses on mentorship and helping students find the most efficient way to accomplish their aviation goals.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI

Specialties:
Private and commercial pilot instruction, technically advanced aircraft, complex and high-performance endorsements

Other Qualifications:
ATP multi-engine rating, corporate pilot, HA-429 and C525 Type Ratings

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in management from St. John Fisher College

Availability:
Part-time, weekdays by appointment only. Please call 585-328-8839.

II am a retired United States Air Force Colonel who led space and missile operations during the majority of my distinguished 28-year military career. I served on Capitol Hill in the Air Force Office of Legislative Affairs, keeping the House and Senate Armed Services Committees informed on over $100B of Air Force weapon system procurement’s. A highlight of my career was teaching in the USAF Academy’s Department of Aeronautics. Following my Air Force career, I joined a corporation as a senior program manager for a major government program, leading my team on two highly acclaimed space payload deliveries. After an exciting and challenging 10-year run in the defense aerospace industry, I followed my passion to become a professional aviator by achieving FAA commercial multi-engine pilot and instrument flight instructor certificates. My wife Ellen and I have become very involved in Veterans support activities. I am an Air Force Admissions Liaison Officer, mentoring and evaluating candidates for appointment to the USAF Academy and ROTC scholarships. I enjoy providing flight instruction services on a part time basis at several flight training organizations at Rochester-area airports.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII

Specialties:
Instrument fundamentals, Cirrus transition, Mooney and Piper checkout, technically advanced aircraft

Education:
United States Air Force Academy graduate, BS in Aeronautical Engineering

Master’s degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University

Master’s degree in Information Systems from Lesley University

Master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the Air University

Graduate of University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business Executive Education

I have been flying airplanes (both airline and corporate) all over the world for more than 50 years, and I still love it! I have a passion for teaching. Passing knowledge that I have is the only thing that I can give away and still keep!

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII

Specialties:
Instrument instruction, Cirrus, technically advanced aircraft, professional pilot skills

Other Qualifications:
ATP multi-engine rating, airline and corporate pilot

Availability:
Seasonal by appointment. Please call 585-328-8839.

I flew for many years as a hobby and loved every minute of it. It was my flight instructors at Rochester Air Center who got me thinking my dream of flying professionally was a realistic one, and they helped me to realize that dream! As an instructor, I hope to help my students reach their aviation goals in the same way, whatever those goals may be. When not flying, I enjoy skiing, spending time at the lake, and sometimes running and biking, albeit very slowly.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII

Specialties:
Seaplane training, tailwheel endorsement, Cirrus, technically advanced aircraft

Other Qualifications:

Background in construction consulting with a Mechanical Engineering degree from RIT and professional corporate pilot

Availability: Part time, by appointment. Please call 585-328-8839.

I love to fly with other people and it’s very rewarding to help people achieve their aviation goals. I have been in the optical business for 30 years and have made aviation my second career. I have been involved in aviation as a hobby since I was five years old, flying radio-controlled airplanes. I started flying general aviation aircraft when I was 15. I still enjoy flying radio-controlled airplanes (aerobatics) and drones, and of course full-sized aircraft. Seaplane and tailwheel training are more recent obsessions. When I’m not flying, I enjoy spending time with my two kids and wife on our boat- cruising, tubing, or water skiing.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI

Specialties:
Seaplane training and tail-wheel endorsements

Other Qualifications:
Optical services, business management

Availability:
Weekdays and most weekend mornings

I have always loved the world of aviation and enjoy being able to help students reach their potential in the sky. I believe that students should enjoy flight training with the fun that aviation offers, while also emphasizing safety as a priority. My goal is to help guide you to become the safest pilot you can be, by enhancing your flight skills and aviation knowledge throughout training. In my free time, I like to either watch football, baseball, play golf, or sim racing.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI

Specialties:
Private pilot training, initial instrument instruction

Other Qualifications:
Bachelors in Aeronautical Science, minor in Applied Meteorology and Airline Operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Availability:
Full time, weekdays and weekends

I regularly fly single engine instrument cross countries, and after 50 plus years of flying I still love giving back to aviation.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII

Specialties:
Instrument training and flight reviews. I generally do not do primary instruction.

Other Qualifications:
Mechanical Engineer and Tax Accountant

Availability:
Available by appointment only. Please call 585-328-8839

I can truly say that flying is my favorite pastime. That’s why I decided to study Aviation Science and receive my bachelor’s degree in this area through Liberty University. Now, I really enjoy sharing my love of aviation with the students I teach. I thoroughly appreciate introducing the joy of flight to people and watching them grow and succeed in their aviation goals. Safety is my number one priority, and I strive to ensure my students are enjoying the learning process along the way. When I am not flying (on any beautiful weather day, I can promise that is what I’m doing) I love spending time outdoors. My hobbies include hiking, boating, jet skiing and sailing.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI

Specialties:
Private pilot instruction, Cessna 172 checkouts

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science from Liberty University

Availability:
Full-time, weekdays

My first flight was taken through a program in junior high. After three great flying lessons, I made the tough decision at the age of 14 to choose volleyball over flying. In 2018, I picked up where I left off in aviation, and I found the Rochester Air Center. I attribute my success to the support of excellent flight instructors, knowledgeable and experienced pilots, and really hard work. I have had the chance to fly on a C135 tanker refueling mission as a member of Civil Air Patrol, ferried a Cessna Skyhawk from Oklahoma to Rochester, and have flown Tri-Pacers in Alaska as instructor in an accelerated CFI training school. I have taught a variety of subjects in the medical and forensic fields for a couple of decades, so teaching people how to fly is the perfect combination of two things I really enjoy!

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, AGI, IGI

Specialties:
Private Pilot Training, Liberty FTA students and Ground Instruction. Tailwheel coming soon!

Availability:
By appointment. Please call the RAC front desk to schedule.

It was clear that Mr. Kuper could not be trusted with writing his own bio, so we’re doing it for him. He claims to have begun flight instructing at the Ray Hyland School of Aeronautics in Rochester many years ago (he won’t tell us the specific year) before moving on to a long and illustrious airline career. After retirement, Kuper decided to give back to the next generation of pilots by returning to flight instruction. If you want to learn from one of the most capable and knowledgeable instructors in the business, you should probably look elsewhere. (That’s a joke.) You will not find a finer flight instructor anywhere in the country! If it has wings and an engine or two, Kuper can teach you how to properly fly it. We can assure you that you will have a lot of fun doing it. Just don’t forget to remind him not to leave empty soda bottles in the airplane at the end of the lesson, and if you find a half-eaten apple in any Cessna, that probably belongs to him too!

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII, MEI

Specialties:
Instrument and commercial pilot instruction, multi-engine rating, technically advanced aircraft, complex and high-performance endorsements, Cirrus transition training.

Other Professional Qualifications:
ATP multi-engine. Retired airline Captain. Flew U.S. Troops around the world to various war zones in B737, DC10, MD11, DC9, MD82. Also doubles as the “Social Director” and “HR Manager” for RAC, in between flight lessons!

Availability:
Most weekdays, some weekends, but almost never earlier than 10:00 a.m. I need my beauty sleep and some nice, flavored coffee before we can get started.

Like most pilots, my first aviation experience was flying as a young kid with my Dad, who is a Private Pilot. I am a safety minded first pilot with 18 years of flying experience, who will apply real-world experience and situations into your fight training. I adapt to teaching how a student likes to learn, whether it be visually or more book style.

Some of my interests are tattoos, animals, baseball, classic cars, classic music and flight simming on X-Plane 12 to keep my skills sharp. I also have two dogs whom I spend a lot of time outdoors with. I’d like to eventually travel to every state in the U.S.

Flight Instructor Ratings:
CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI – Gold Seal

Specialties:
Class Bravo Airspaces, Aircraft Checkouts, 141 Private Instrument & Commercial check pilot, Aviation Acronym Guru-Need an acronym? If I don’t have one for your memory item, just give me a minute and I will!

Education:
Associated in Applied Sciences from Monroe Community College, Bachelor in Aviation Science from Lewis University (Chicago, IL). Flight trained from Private, Instrument, Commercial out of Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW)

Availability:
By Appointment Only.