Alex Gornakov
Chief Pilot - CSIP/CFI-AIM
Alex Gornakov
Chief Pilot - CSIP/CFI-AIM
"I give a lot to my clients and expect focus and commitment in return. An experienced instructor and 'avgeek' through-and-through, I seek to instill a deep sense of passion in my students. As a Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot, I train to the highest levels of safety and proficiency."
Jeff "JJ" Gutowski
Asst. Chief Pilot - CFI-AI
Jeff "JJ" Gutowski
Asst. Chief Pilot - CFI-AI
"Like many pilots, I traded a desk for a cockpit after my first flight. A passionate aviator with a deep-rooted love for sharing knowledge with others, I seek to inspire curiosity in my students. I train aviators with a mindset towards developing skills that will serve across a lifetime of flying."
Bryan Ferrell
Check Instructor CFI-AIM
Bryan Ferrell
Check Instructor CFI-AIM
"Born and raised in Portugal, my ongoing journey in aviation has opened an incredible world of experiences. Following time in the Air Force, I found passion in flight instruction. Detail-oriented and with precise and elevated standards, I look forward to helping you achieve your flying goals."
Parsa Malekpour
CFI-AI
Parsa Malekpour
CFI-AI
"As a child, my mother showed me how to make paper airplanes and I remember my wonder at how they glided through the air. This passion for aviation grew with age and led me to become a flight instructor. My goal is to teach students core skills that can be built upon as they grow."
Benedikta Unter Ecker
CFI-AI
Benedikta Unter Ecker
CFI-AI
"Bridging the fun and serious aspects of aviation, I work with my clients to create well-rounded, knowledgeable pilots who safely explore their passion. I aim to unlock students' full potential with an adaptive learning environment catered to their unique and individual learning styles."
Asher Young
CFI-AI
Asher Young
CFI-AI
"With an academic background including degrees in Aeronautical Management Technology and Human Factors in Aviation, my passion has always been flight. I enjoy applying these learnings to my flight instruction and seek to offer students a safe, welcoming environment."
Supreet Wahi
CFI-AIM
Supreet Wahi
CFI-AIM
"After becoming infatuated with aviation from an early age, it was always my intention to gain my wings. Having switched careers to pursue flight instruction full-time, I dedicate a significant amount of my time to providing training for our tailwheel, aerobatics and upset recovery clients."
Chris Fussner
CFI-AIM
Chris Fussner
CFI-AIM
"Born into a family fascinated by flight, my zeal for aviation has been lifelong. I strive to provide my students with the best education about the science and safety of aeronautics while allowing them to explore the exhilarating lifestyle avenues made possible by earning a pilot’s license."
Noah Clark
CFI - AIM
Noah Clark
CFI - AIM
"Growing up near an airport in Hawaii, my earliest memories consisted of plane-spotting large airliners flying out of Honolulu. As an instructor, I aim to reveal my clients’ passion for aviation through a welcoming, exciting, and safety-focused learning environment tailored to each unique learning style."
Michael Sahakian
CFI - AI
Michael Sahakian
CFI - AI
"When I was very young, I got to sit at the controls of a B737 simulator at Boeing- let’s just say that leaves an impression! After getting lost in the jungle of life, I realized I had it right the first time with my passion for aviation! I love sharing this journey with my students in creating the best aviators out there."
Jett
CFI-AIM
Jett
CFI-AIM
"Unlike many aviators, my passion for flight didn't come until later in life. I was in an entirely other career. But, from my first discovery flight, I was hooked. My goal is to aid students in safely pursuing their aviation goals while maintaining the excitement that only comes from flying an airplane."
Jessica Vasquez
Operations Manager
Jessica Vasquez
Operations Manager
"I aspire to one day earn my wings and even find my way to the flight deck of an airliner. Coming from a diverse background, but one not rooted in aviation, I have fully embraced the incredible community and am eager to learn and work with our pilots to find ways for all of us to continue to grow."
Tess Mcdaniel
Client Success Adviser
Tess Mcdaniel
Client Success Adviser
"If you had to pick a superpower what would it be? I always answered with the ability to fly. Until I grow wings of my own, I am honored to be surrounded by some of the best aviators in Los Angeles. My dedication is helping aviators pursue their dreams and reach higher than the sky’s limit."
Emma Young
Office Coordinator
Emma Young
Office Coordinator
"Growing up constantly traveling, I formed a love for the adventure of flying. My goal is to provide that same inviting, affable experience for our aspiring and established pilots as I experienced. Majoring in psychology, the interaction with clients and team members perpetually benefits my growth in learning."
Alex Garcia
Flight Crew Support
Alex Garcia
Flight Crew Support
"My passion for aviation has always been deep-seated in me. After working for a corporate company for almost 10 years, I decided to pursue this passion by becoming a pilot. I have never looked back!"
James Raffini
President
James Raffini
President
"Born and raised in Hong Kong, my interest in aviation began as a passenger on many long-haul flights. Since receiving my pilot's license in high school, flying has given me 15 years of adventure. Transitioning from a career in finance to aviation has allowed me to continue this journey."
Charles Raffini
President
Charles Raffini
President
"My lifelong passion for aviation has expressed itself in several ways. As an active pilot since high school and a former aviation consultant, both my personal and professional lives have revolved around this space. My hope is that Clipper Aviation allows many others to experience the joy of flying as I have."
