Our Instructors
Over 30 years of aviation experience
Our dedicated full-time flight instructors will guide you through our flight program.
We will provide you with that sense of accomplishment and completion.
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GARY SPARKS Chief Flight Instructor EmeritusCFI, CFII, MEI |
As a native of San Luis Obispo, Gary has a long history of flying in the San Luis Obispo area. He began his love of aviation at the ripe age of 15. Before he could drive a car, Gary would ride his bicycle to San Luis Obispo airport to take flying lessons.
As a flight instructor, Gary’s commitment to working a student through the process of becoming a pilot and fulfill their dream, is evidenced by the fact that he presented twenty-four student pilots to the FAA Designated Pilot Examiner in 2006. That’s more than any other flight instructor in San Luis Obispo County.
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SCOTT SETTLECFI, CFIIGrowing up in San Luis Obispo, Scott learned early on about the joy and excitement of aviation. A second generation pilot, Scott spent many memorable days at the field with his father, flying up and down the state in their Cessna 172. Scott is passionate about sharing his love of aviation with his students. As an instructor, Scott brings his background as a collegiate level professor and a desire to make each lesson a positive and meaningful learning experience for his students. Being a pilot opens up the freedom to travel. To this day one of his most memorable flying adventures was island hopping in the Bahamas in a Cessna 172. A truly unforgettable experience! |
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ERNESTO SANCHEZCFI, CFIIBorn and raised in SLO County, Ernesto Sanchez is married to Heidi and has two grown sons, Daniel and David. As long as he can remember, he’s always loved aviation. He would build model aircraft, go to the library to check out every book they had on airplanes, and attend the Paso Robles Airshow when the USAF Thunderbirds were featured. Joining the USAF at 17, he graduated from Tactical Aircraft Maintenance School in 1982. In 1987, Ernesto joined the California Highway Patrol and worked the road for over 26 years starting in Downtown Los Angeles. In 1997, taking to the air seemed like a nice hobby, but stopped just after soloing. Fast forward to 2015: he restarted his flight training, and with the help and encouragement of Aerocademy completed Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, CFI and CFI-I. His desire now is to help others achieve their aviation goals. |
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DYLAN KRASSENSKYCFI, CFIIDylan grew up in San Luis Obispo County, and began flight training in 2000. He earned his private and commercial ratings here at SBP, and finished flight training as an Instructor in Kentucky. He has considerable experience teaching in glass-panel cockpits, with the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 line specifically. He has taught at various locations in California, Kentucky, and Texas. Out of the cockpit, Dylan’s is an Air Traffic Controller, and has worked at various facilities in Texas and California. |
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GOKI YAMADACFILong time SLO resident, Goki Yamada grew up relatively close to the airport. The proximity to the variety of flying aircraft sparked his interest in aviation. Graduating SLO High in the Class of 2017, he decided that an aviation career path was in his future. Late nights on the internet playing FPS and MMO games and working during the day, led to a decision to find a career he could love just as much. In addition to planning his future, Goki wisely realized that being a pilot was a key to open up his travel opportunities. Obtaining his Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI through Aerocademy, he enjoys being able to share his love of aviation with other pilot candidates. |
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ZAC NORDEENCFIZac Nordeen comes from the Monterey Bay. His father, grandfather, uncle, and brother are all pilots, so aviation is second nature to him. Zac was seven years old when he first flew an airplane and has never forgotten the feeling it brought him. Zac believes that flying is the greatest job and or hobby in the world (it’s not hard to see why!) As much as Zac upholds the utmost highest standards of safety in aviation, he also believes that flight training should be a fun overall experience for the both the student and the instructor. |
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KYLE HYDECFIKyle Hyde was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. He left to attend college in the "Big Sky" country of Montana. When he wasn’t scaling mountain peaks or trekking through the woods, he was submersing himself in aviation, which quickly became his new found passion and career path. During his time in Montana, Kyle earned his instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings, while being exposed to a variety of adverse weather conditions. Kyle recognizes that aviation is a pinnacle in most people’s lives and he is honored to be a part of the pilot training experience. He yearns to instill safety and professionalism into all of his students and believes that pilots are not born...they are made! Through hard work, dedication, and determination Kyle’s students can transform themselves into outstanding aviators. |
