EFA Flight Instructors
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Edward (Ed) Keins - General Manager, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor After retiring from the business world, Ed started with EFA in Nov 2002 as a CFI, developed the fast track programs, and moved into the open position of Assistant Chief Instructor. From there, he has taken on the newly created position of General Manager, responsible for the daily operation of the company. He brings a background of experience from many facets of aviation. With a BS in engineering, Ed entered the cold war Air Force and served as a B 52 Navigator/EWO for six years, followed by 22 years of AF Reserve flying as an instructor navigator in “trash haulers” (C-141s, C-130s and others). He has been to every continent except Antarctica, but claims that Greenland almost makes up for that. Ed holds an ATP, and has been a CFI since 1967 with nearly 4000 hours of instruction given. He is also a committed runner, with two marathons completed in the 90’s, and still runs regularly (that’s why his 0730 blocks are not usually available). He and Carole live in Westford, with two dogs to provide the chaos when their five grown kids and 10 grandchildren aren’t on site. |
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Marc Nathanson - Chief Flight Operations Marc first learned to fly in his father’s Stearman in 1964. He was bitten by the flying bug as a 5 year old when his dad took him up in his Cessna 170 at Marlborough in 1952. Marc graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and began flight instructing soon after. He joined the Air Force in 1970 and retired after over 20 years of service. Marc flew the F-4 Phantom as a line pilot and as an Operational Test and Evaluation Test Project Officer. He also flew the T-33 and was Director of Operations of a unit as well as Chief of Flight Safety for ADTAC command at Langley AFB, VA. Marc has been stationed in Europe, Asia and the US. He is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and Chief of the Multiengine training program for Executive Flyers. Marc teaches all disciplines, including aerobatics. Marc recently retired from FedEx where he was an MD-11 pilot, and has been a member of the Executive Flyers family since 1987. Best tips: Earning a rating is a ticket to continue learning; and have a plan for each flight. |
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Jake Kasprzyk It seems like only yesterday that Jake was sitting with his father at the end of Buffalo International’s runway 05 watching planes land. Listening to stories of his grandfather flying P-40s and watching formations of F-16s overfly his house in the rural burbs of Niagara Falls inspired his desire for a career in aviation. Jake originally attended SUNY Farmingdale in Long Island to start his aviation career before decideding to transfer to Bridgewater State College to be with Red Sox fans. Jake completed his BS degree in Aviation with a minor in Management in the Spring of 06. In the meantime he was conducting his flight training with Delta Connection Academy who had a joint partnership with Bridgewater State College. He is currently instructing all certificates (PVT, INST, COMM, CFI, ATP, and Multi) His goal in aviation is to be free and have fun. He hopes to inspire in his students, the same love for aviation that he has. |
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Richard “Rick” Mangione As a former Naval Aviator, and Civil Air Patrol - USAF Auxiliary pilot with a BA in History, I grew up building model airplanes in my hometown of Philadelphia, PA. As an adult I still feel the same excitement, and enthusiasm for flight that I felt as a kid pedaling my bike to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to watch airplanes takeoff, and land. I have my Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument and Multi-Engine Instrument ratings with over 4,000 hours total flight time. A tip I like to leave with students is, whenever there is any question in your mind that your flight cannot continue safely, land ASAP. Even if your not sure. |
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Sean A. Brodeur Sean received his BS in Aviation Management/Flight Technology from the Florida Institute of Technology in May of 1996. While in school, he obtained his commercial/instrument, single and mulit-engine land, and CFI ratings. He hopes to use his time as a CFI to refine his instrument instructor skills as well as obtain his mulit-engine instructor rating. Sean applied to the USAF Academy while still in high school, and although he narrowly missed the cut, the experience motivated him to pursue a career in aviation. |
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Tony Catanese Tony was raised in Westchester, NY, and his passion for flying was born in the co-pilot’s seat of his father’s Piper Cherokee 140. He spent many summers planning cross country trips around NY and up the eastern seaboard. Tony received his private pilot certificate while still in high school, and put his new skills to work flying the ladies around on twilight dates over NYC and out to Block Island. Tony is a CFII, and also provides instruction in our aerobatic aircraft. Tony is pleased to be one of the newest flight instructors at EFA, and is excited to be able to give his students the benefit of all his flying experiences. |
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Jeff Schlicte Unlike most instructors, Jeff wasn’t bitten by the flying bug at an early age. He actually spent most of his time on or around the water in Gloucester, MA. One trait he did have, was a love for anything mechanical. After high school, Jeff enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at Virginia Tech. Then, during his freshman year, he was bitten by the flying bug after a Discovery Flight. Jeff transfered to Bridgewater State College and received a degree in Aviation Science. He also completed the majority of his flight training while in school with the Delta Connection Academy at the New Bedford Airport. He is now an 1100+ hour pilot who has been instructing at EFA since October 2007. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities, and still gets excited every time the wheels leave the runway. |
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Joseph Friel Joe graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied electrical engineering before entering active duty with the US Air Force. His specialties include communications systems and avionics design. He is currently a program manager at Avidyne, where he helps to implement next generation integrated flight decks. He also remains active in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as a communication officer. Joe took his first flight at 6 weeks old, and has been flying ever since. Joe received his Private Pilot’s license as a senior in high school, and his CFI rating as a senior in college. He has flown all over the United States and Canada, and particularly enjoys mountain flying in Colorado. He was an early instructor in the G1000 platform, and continues to specialize in that system. Joe is also a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, and has previously served as an operations officer, managing all search and rescue, and disaster relief flights in New Mexico. |
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Russell Robison Russell started flying for fun at an uncontrolled airport in Wyoming. To mix things up a bit, he moved to Los Angeles to work on a degree in Film and Television. Russell completed his various ratings while in LA, and he soon found himself looking forward to making a career switch… from film to flying! One year and ten months from his first flight, Russell was a flight instructor. With the feelings of being a student still fresh in his mind, Russell found it easy to relate to his students. Now, many hundreds of hours later, he still looks forward to encouraging his students at EFA. |
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Mike Peaslee Mike’s interest in flying began in high school, but it wasn’t until he enrolled in the USAF ROTC program while studying at the University of Lowell that a career in aviation seemed to be possible and within reach. He began flying as Navigator/EWO on B-52’s, and has been deployed several times in support of Desert Storm, and Operations Iraqui and Enduring Freedom. Mike completed his civilian training right here at EFA, where he earned everything from Private up through CFI. As a CFI, Mike’s primary concern is getting to know the student themselves. He takes great pride in helping pilots reach their goals with confidence in their abilities. |
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Al Moreno After 11 years working in television as a broadcast engineer, Al decided to roll the dice, and follow his dream to become a pilot. Shortly thereafter, he loaded up all his stuff and headed for the Westwind School of Aeronautics in Arizona. Al knew he was hooked as soon as he took his first flight! Al is an avid aviation advocate, and is reminded everyday how much he loves the aviation business. He thinks that everyone should fly, and says that sharing his enthusiasm with all his students is the best part of his week. |
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Ben Wilder Originally from Philadelphia, Ben remembers traveling with his family as a child, and sitting glued to the windows of a plane that was departing in a heavy rain storm, thinking that the runway and the rain flying by was just about the coolest thing ever. Ben began flight training at age 16, and continued through college, which he started at Daniel Webster, and finished at Bridgewater State. After college, Ben began instructing at Executive Flyers. He has been with the company for more than a year, and has logged over 1,000 hours as an instructor. Ben is a CFII/MEI and has recently been promoted into our “Instrument Fast Track” program as an instructor. |
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Joshua Morin Born and raised in Clinton, MA, Josh got hooked on flying at a young age by flying “Cape Air” back and forth to Nantucket Island as a kid. Taking advantage of their open seating policy, Josh would grab the co-pilot seat whenever possible. Before he could even see over the glareshield, he was mesmerized by all the instruments, and knew right then that he wanted to be a pilot. Josh attended Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, FL., and received a degree in Aeronautical Science. He then spent 7 years instructing at various flight schools in Florida, including, ERAU and American Flyers, while also working in guest relations for Disney. Josh is a CFII/MEI and is pleased to be part of the Goulian family tradition here at Executive Flyers. |
