The Team
Felipe Santiago, DOO — ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI
Felipe Santiago is an experienced commercial aviator from Miami, Florida. Born in Havana, Cuba, Felipe and his family came to the United States when he was very young. Wanting to make use of all the new opportunities before him and with a passionate love of flight, Felipe began his career working at a flight school at just 12 years old. While other kids were saving up for video games, young Felipe was exchanging work for flight time.
It wasn't very long before Felipe obtained both his Private and Commercial Pilot's licenses and was flying banner towing operations to pay for his Instrument Rating. Upon receiving his Multi-Engine rating, Felipe began flying charters to the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean region (work he misses dearly!) as he built sufficient experience to become an airline pilot.
Felipe celebrated his 21st birthday not in a bar alongside so many others his age, but at Flight Safety in Missouri obtaining his Airline Transport Pilot certificate and Embraer 170/190 Rating. Not long after, after managing to rack up an astounding 2300 hours of flight in just 18 months, Spirit Airlines offered Mr. Santiago a first officer position. He spent much of his free time pursuing general aviation, his first love.
Mr. Santiago is now a Captain of the Airbus 320 family. When he is not flying jets he returns to his passion, general aviation. Where he contributes back to the community by educating current and future pilots. He is also a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Aux.
Mr. Santiago is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor.
Juan Pineda, Chief Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI, CFII, MEI
Juan Pineda, the Chief Flight Instructor at Aviator Zone Academy, is an accomplished aviation professional with roots in Medellin, Colombia. After moving to the U.S., he pursued his passion for aviation, beginning his career at 18 in New Smyrna, FL, and later achieving his Flight Instructor credentials in South Florida. Juan, at just 24, has accumulated over 4000 hours of flight time and has over three years of experience as a Flight Instructor. His exceptional teaching abilities, coupled with his dedication and passion, have enabled over 60 students to achieve their licenses, ranging from Private Pilots to Certified Flight Instructors. Juan, known for his unparalleled commitment to aviation education, is also a distinguished Gold Seal Flight Instructor, a testament to his excellence and expertise in the field.
Joaquin Celestino, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI, CFII, MEI
Joaquin Celestino was born and raised in Lima, Peru. His vocation for aviation started when he was 15 years old and flew for the first time in a plane on vacation with his family. At that moment he fell in love with aviation. When he was 17, he got his private pilot license before he got his driver’s license. He looks forward to training future pilots sharing his knowledge and motivating them to achieve their goals. His long-term goals are to become an airline pilot and fly different types of airplanes around the world.
Mr Celestino is a Gold Seal and a Check Airmen Flight Instructor
Maria Marin, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Maria Marin was born in Armenia, Colombia. From a very young age, she saw her dad work as a pilot and her mom as a flight attendant, growing up around aviation. She knew that she wanted to be a pilot and started loving everything related to aviation.
In 2019 she moved to the United States to get her Private, Instrument, and Commercial Pilot Certificate, followed up by her CFI certificate in order to be able to share her knowledge with new candidates that want to pursue their dreams of being pilots.
Yojan Agudelo, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI, CFII, MEI
Yojan was born in Ibagué, Colombia. After finishing high school at 15 years old, his biggest dream was to become a pilot. He moved to Miami when he was 17 years old to start his path in aviation. He describes his training as an amazing experience full of different emotions and wonderful sunset. Once he got his commercial pilot license, he discovered that in the future he wanted to teach other students to achieve their dreams; and that’s how he became a CFI, the feeling of transmitting the information and seeing other people reaching their goals is satisfying for him. As a long-term goal, he wants to fly in an airline and discover every place in the world. Mr Agudelo is a Check Airmen Flight Instructor.
ELIJAH WESSEL, FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - CPL, CFI, CFII
Elijah Wessel was born and raised near Cleveland, OH. He was introduced to the world of aviation when a family friend took him up on a discovery flight at a very young age. Ever since that flight, Elijah knew that he wanted to pursue a career in aviation. He began his flight training at a small municipal airport in Wadsworth, Ohio, but eventually moved to Miami, FL to study full-time, where he earned his Commercial Certificate and his CFI Certificate. Elijah hopes to provide excellent instruction by sharing his knowledge and love for aviation. He hopes to one day fulfill his dream of becoming an airline pilot.
Christopher Del Rosario, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Christopher Del Rosario, a Flight Instructor with CPL and CFI certifications, hails from Homestead, Florida. His deep-seated passion for aviation comes from his father, an American Airlines pilot, and his grandfather, with fond childhood memories of flying during his father's early training. Deciding post-high school to pursue aviation as a career, Chris aimed to eventually fly for an airline. He embarked on his aviation journey with a discovery flight and continued through to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor, completing all his training at Aviator Zone Academy in Miami Executive Airport. Chris is excited to give back to the community that nurtured his love for flying, teaching and inspiring future pilots at Aviator Zone Academy.
Miguel Angel Martinez, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Born in Cuba, Miguel A. Martinez arrived in the United States in 2013 with a deep-seated passion for aviation. Despite initially pursuing a different field in his educational journey, his heart always longed for the skies. It wasn't long before Miguel realized that aviation was his true calling. Today, he is proud to be a part of Aviator Zone Academy, where he has the privilege of sharing his love for aviation with aspiring pilots. Miguel’s story is a testament to the power of dreams and the boundless opportunities that aviation offers.
Mark Sadky, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Born in Cairo, Egypt, Mark has harbored dreams of becoming an airline pilot since childhood. He relocated to New York City with his family in 2010 at the age of 16, where he would often watch planes at JFK Airport, envisioning himself as a captain. Seeking a quieter life, his family moved to Nashville, TN, in 2015, where Mark earned an associate degree in Languages. After saving money for his training, he moved to Brooksville, FL, to start flight training, achieving his Private Pilot Certificate. His pursuit of better flying conditions and larger airports led him to Miami, where he earned his Instrument rating, Commercial certificate, and CFI at Miami Executive Airport. Mark aims to pilot a Boeing 777 cargo plane as a commercial pilot.
Valentina Salinas, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Valentina, born in Colombia, was raised by her father, a pilot, and her mother, a flight attendant. Growing up in an aviation environment, she developed a deep passion for becoming a pilot herself. In 2019, she moved to Miami to obtain her licenses and underwent additional training to become a CFI. Her goal is to share her expertise and ultimately achieve her dream of becoming an airline pilot.
Colin Rodriguez, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI, CFII, MEI
Colin Rodriguez was born in Michigan but raised in Miami. Since he was little, he always had a passion for flying and all he could remember was looking towards the skies whenever he had
heard a plane fly by. After graduating high school Colin had plans to attend Miami Dade College and obtain a degree in Criminal Justice but even in the middle of school and working full time the desire of flying never left. From there Colin made the decision that he was going to pursue a career in aviation and make flying his art that he wanted to perfect, as well as share to others the passion he’s found in aviation with the dream of becoming an airline pilot one day.
JAVIER RODRIGUEZ, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
I've been drawn to flying ever since I can remember, a passion that's grown from the cheerful atmosphere of Miami. After graduating from the University of Tampa with a degree in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations, I took to the skies first as a flight attendant and then found my true calling as a pilot. Guided by my family's aspirations and the constant presence of planes in St. Petersburg, I worked hard to get my Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine Pilot licenses. Now I teach as a Certified Flight Instructor at Aviator Zone, where we're all committed to our work and treat each other like family. My journey is a testament to the idea that if you're passionate and persistent, you can find your place in the sky.
Gabriel Marquez, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Born in Havana, Cuba, Gabriel emigrated to Spain at the age of two, sparking his deep passion for aviation. His journey began at the Festa del Cel, an annual air show on the beaches of Barcelona, a tradition he upheld every September until his 11th year when his family moved to Miami. After completing his studies in Miami, Gabriel worked full-time while pursuing his initial goal of obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate. However, the allure of flying captivated him, leading him to shift gears and pursue a career in aviation. In 2022, he relocated to Arizona to pursue the path of becoming a Commercial Pilot. Back in Miami now, armed with his Flight Instructor Certificate, Gabriel is dedicated to shaping the next generation of pilots, inspiring them to become the best aviators they can be.
JORDAN RIPLEY HAUPTFELD, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI
Jordan, who hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, relocated to Miami in 2014 to work as a flight attendant for American Airlines. During her time there, she fell in love with aviation, which sparked her ambition to become a professional pilot. In the fall of 2023, she achieved a significant milestone by earning her commercial pilot license and completing the Professional Pilot Technology program at Miami Dade College. Not long after her graduation, she obtained her flight instructor certification. Now, as an instructor, Jordan is excited about guiding new pilots as they embark on their own adventures in aviation. She has set her sights on the captain's seat of an airliner as her ultimate career destination.
Juan Andres Mugica, Flight Instructor - CPL, CFI, AGI
Andrés, originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, developed an early passion for aviation. Moving to the U.S., he spent nearly a decade working to finance his flight certifications while supporting his family. His career in finance in Michigan took a turn when his father's illness led him to move to Miami in 2021, where he started his pilot training. Now, he is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor, an experience that has strengthened his goal of flying for the U.S. Air Force in active duty status.
Andro Bixente Bailly, Flight Instructor – CPL, CFI
Andro Bixente Bailly is a Miami native. He has a bachelor's degree in international business from FIU. As a kid Andro was always captivated by WWII aircraft that he observed in museums across Europe. Shortly after graduation and a career switch he realized that becoming a pilot was his calling. Andro completed all his training from his first solo flight to being a flight instructor at Aviator Zone Academy. Along the way he had multiple mentors that provided him with guidance and support throughout his training. His goal now is to be a teacher and hopefully a mentor that will help people actualize their dreams of becoming a pilot.
Brayan Abreu - Maintenance Coordinator - PPL
Brayan Abreu was born in Havana, Cuba. He emigrated to the United States at the age of 9 and it was that very first flight that sparked his passion for aviation. After graduating High School while living in the Midwest, he earned his Private Pilot's License. He plans to reach the airlines in the future and is currently working towards his Instrument Rating. His favorite aircraft to fly in our fleet is the Diamond DA20.
Kevin Naranjo, Dispatch - PPL - IR
Born in Miami, FL, Kevin was always passionate about aviation. As a child, he watched Top Gun and knew the airplane cockpit is where he wanted to be. Kevin went to FIU and got his bachelor’s degree in Biology before starting at Aviator Zone and getting his private pilot license. He’s currently working on his instrument rating and hopes to one day be an airline pilot as well as fly for the Airforce as a reserve pilot.
Nicole Santiago, Student Enrollment
Born in Miami, FL, Nicole has always been around the world of aviation. Watching her brother succeed in aviation from a young age made her grow an interest in flying. After High School, Nicole plans on attending Miami-Dade College and majoring in aviation administration to further her education. Nicole hopes to have a career in aviation in the future.
Nathalie Santiago, Dispatch - Pilot Shop
Nathalie was born in Miami, Florida. From a young age, Nathalie has been around the aviation world because of her older brother. Being around this environment has grown onto Nathalie; since then, she fell in love with the idea of being a pilot. After high school, Nathalie wants to major in Aviation Administration at Miami - Dade College to pursue her passion for aviation.
Rachel Alonso - Scheduler
Rachel was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. She emigrated to the United Sates at the age of 7 and for as long as she can remember her one true dream is to become an Airline Pilot. The dream of flying people around the world fuels her heart with excitement. After graduating from High School she attended Miami Dade College for an associates in the Professional Pilot Program and she is currently working on her Instrument Rating .
Robert Bastori - Scheduler
Robert was born in Miami, Florida. Since Robert was 12 years old his neighbor that is a captain at Atlas Air has always encouraged him to try out aviation. Robert finally gave in and till today has been the best decision he says he has have ever made. After highschool Robert got a full scholarship at Miami Dade College to major in Professional Pilot Technology, which has taught his so much about aviation. Robert hopes to go a long ways in his career of Aviation.