Staff

While going to school to be a professional musician, I decided to try flying after dreaming about it all my life. About half-way through my first lesson I decided I had found my calling, and I’ve been addicted to airplanes ever since. I love everything about aviation, but flying bush planes in Alaska is hard to top. I’m over the moon to be back for another season here in the Last Frontier, and this time I’ll have my trusty Husky “Rudy” in tow. When I’m not flying, I still love playing music, going on motorbike adventures, and I’ve recently started trying my hand at film photography.

Hello! I’m Jessica from Salt Lake City, Utah. My love for adventure was shaped by the mountains, where I grew up skiing, snowboarding, camping, and embracing the outdoors. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of Utah, initially planning a career in Occupational Therapy. However, my first skydive in 2012 ignited a passion that changed my path.

I spent several years instructing wingsuiting, setting a women’s world wingsuit formation record and multiple state records. Through skydiving, I connected with incredible pilots who inspired me to earn my ratings (ASEL, ASES, CFI/CFII Gold Seal). I always suspected I’d love seaplanes, but after an unforgettable experience flying them in Alaska in 2024, I knew it was time for another exciting chapter!

When I’m not in the air, I enjoy hiking with my husband, exploring the outdoors with my German Shepherd, and cooking healthy meals.

I’m Lisa, a CFII and the accountant for the company. My path to becoming a flight instructor wasn’t exactly traditional—I earned all my ratings in just 15 months, driven by a determination to prove that it’s never too late to take off. Before aviation, I spent over two decades managing multiple businesses, making high-stakes decisions, and learning that there’s no substitute for grit and precision.

Flying, for me, is more than a skill—it’s freedom. It’s about pushing limits, mastering the unknown, and teaching others to do the same. My call sign, “Wild Dragon,” was given to me as a reminder of the resilience and fire it took to get here. I like to keep my instruction clear and straightforward, making sure my students leave each lesson more confident than when they started.

When I’m not in the air, I’m working on my property in Talkeetna, turning it into a retreat for those who need a place to reconnect and rebuild. It’s a vision that’s still in progress, but it’s one that keeps me grounded and inspired.

Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just starting out, my goal is to help you build the skills and mindset to fly with confidence. Aviation has changed my life—I’m here to help it change yours.

Dan Barella is a Brazilian-American programmer, physicist, climber, bassist, archer, goofball, and pilot (against better judgement). You can typically find Dan on the outskirts of Boston, squinting at computer screens on behalf of Google’s corporate overlords, falling off bouldering routes at the climbing walls of Central Rock Gym, and flight instructing in anything from the Piper Tomahawk to the Cirrus SR22 at East Coast Aero Club (KBED). Dan first ventured to Alaska in 2022 to earn an ASES rating in the mighty DHC-2 Beaver, and again in 2024 to splash around in Super Cubs. Returning for the 2025 season, Dan's goals this time around are to land shorter than 50' and to stay reasonably far away from bears and rotorcraft, neither of which should be allowed to fly.

Hi, I’m Chase. I took a bit of an unconventional route to becoming a certificated flight instructor. This isn’t my job – it’s a passion I want to share with others.

I lead an IT Security team for a living. My background is scattered – I went to school for Economics and Political Science. Grad school for Business and Finance. I’ve taught as a college professor, own a restaurant, worked in management consulting, and renovate and own real estate investments. I also sail, rock climb, do ultra endurance races, snowboard, and scuba drive. Absolutely obsessed with traveling the world.

So how did I become a pilot? As a young kid, my uncle (a decorated Air Force pilot) invited me to fly with him. I was hooked. I knew, one day, I’d become a pilot as well. A few years later, he took me on a fishing trip to Alaska. While we were up there, we flew a C180 on floats. Fast forward 20 or so years later, I took a job across from Montgomery Airport in San Diego. Walked over one day at lunch, and signed up for the Plus One Flyers club.

I became a private pilot – saying I’d never go further. I lived in San Diego – why would I ever want to fly on anything but a perfect day? Then one day I got stuck, unable to return home, because of that pesky marine layer of clouds – thus, I now needed the instrument rating. Then a commercial rating because I thought I may want to fly for a skydiving company for fun. My instructor (Travis) told me that I needed to become a flight instructor having the instruction/teaching background already – and now the rest is history.

I have two vintage fabric taildraggers – co-owner in a 1941 Taylorcraft BL-65, own a 1959 Piper Pacer. The former has no electronics, a wood prop, does about 75mph, 12 gallons of gas, no flaps – the truest form of flying. The latter (pictured right) is an IFR and backcountry powerhouse in an old frame that I’ve flown to the Arctic Cirlce in Alaska and back. They are both incredibly machines that I get to be the caretaker for – and have touched both coasts in both of the airplanes (flown them both coast-to-coast).

I also own an experimental project airplane that I’m building – aided by being in A&P School at Miramar College part-time. Lastly, have an experimental aerobatic biplane – a 1982 Stolp Acroduster Too – sort of a knock-off of a Pitts S2B. You can see I’m a bit of a tailwheel junkie.

Being a flight instructor allows me to merge my love of flying with my passion for teaching. I’ll be a life-long, part-time flight instructor. I’ve taught more than 2,000 hours of dual given, recognized as an FAA Gold Seal CFI (the top population of all flight instructors), and have created countless pilots. Teaching tailwheel, multi-engine, instrument, and mountain/bush flying are my jams .

A consummate aviator, Artun has been sharing his passion for aviation with friends and family his whole life. Growing up, Artun absorbed a steady diet of tall tales from the Golden Age of aviation. Consequently, tailwheel and bush flying remain close to his heart (along with sunglasses and a trusty silk scarf).

In pursuit of a career as a flight surgeon, Artun received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin. It was there that Artun obtained his PPL and subsequent ratings. When he’s not chasing the perfect glassy water landing, you’ll probably find Artun noodling around on a guitar.

I started flying in 2003 out of Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.  20+ years later, I am still flying around Alaska – bouncing on beaches, lakes and gravel bars.  There is no place like Alaska to go exploring with an airplane.  My day job as an Air Traffic Controller at Anchorage International and Lake Hood airports hasn’t taken me far from where I started flying.  Winters in Alaska are spent wrenching on airplanes, flying on skis, and traveling to warmer, sunny places.  I’m certified for SEL, SES, MEL, MES and instrument instruction and when I’m not flying for APEX, I spend quality time with my family – we fly, enjoy beach combing, camping and exploring new places.

Being someone who is in his element in the outdoors, learning to fly just seemed like a natural step to add another dimension to possible experiences. I got my PPL in 2003 in Eagle Colorado, opening up a world I couldn't have made up if I tried. As I made my way through different ratings and certifications, what I found most valuable was the instructors I had the pleasure of learning from. They kept it exciting and real, allowing me to remain passionate about flying, and pushing me out of my comfort zone to achieve my goals. It is a privilege to be in a position as a CFI to watch my students and fellow pilots achieve their own personal goals. Flying inherently has a serious side when it comes to the practical and knowledge aspects, but there is no reason why it can’t be fun at the same time!