Certified Flight Instructors
Flying Particles, Incorporated has a number of club members who are FAA Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) and have been approved by the club’s Flight Safety Officer to provide flight instruction in FPI aircraft. These club CFIs are independent contractors and, as specified in our bylaws, are the only CFIs who may instruct in club aircraft. Our club CFIs have a range of backgrounds and are highly experienced. We’re confident you’ll find a good student-teacher match with several of them.
Choosing a CFI
Each person has his or her own style of learning and the same is true of teaching styles, so it is important to find a CFI who works well with you. Many factors will influence your decision, but personality match and style of communication are surely among the most important. Keep in mind that a CFI’s hourly rates and total flight hours may have little correlation with how well you’ll succeed in learning from them. We recommend you talk with a few CFIs, and equally as important, a few of their references, before choosing one for your training goal.
While most members like the consistency of using one CFI as their primary private pilot or instrument rating instructor, many find it helpful to periodically fly with a another instructor to see a different viewpoint. Not every CFI will be a good match for every student; if it’s not working out, try another CFI—you’re in charge of your training. For more information about choosing a flight instructor, we recommend reviewing these resources: Flying Mag Article 1, Flying Mag Article 2, Aviation News Talk Podcast Ep. 285.
Contacting a CFI
If you are a club member and wish to contact a CFI, you may obtain their contact information from ScheduleMaster (click on the Group Info – User list tab. Right click on their last name to copy their email address). If you are not yet a member, or have just joined, please contact our Membership VP.
Jim Econome, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Occupation: Retired Airline Pilot
Primary flight instruction: Yes
Other instruction: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Check, FPI Checkouts.
Availability: All times
Pete Eltgroth, CFI, CFI-I
Occupation: Retired physicist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Primary flight instruction: No
Other instruction: Instrument Rating, Commercial, CFI, CFI-I, Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Check, FPI Checkouts.
Availability: Most days, except Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings
sicily giustino, CFI, cfi-i
Occupation: Full-time flight instructor
Primary fight instruction: Yes
Other instruction: FAA Flight Reviews, FPI Aircraft Checkouts, and Instrument Proficiency Checks.
Availability: Weekdays and Weekends
Nach Mishra, CFI, CFI-I
Occupation: Data Science
Primary flight instruction: Yes, only on weekends
Other instruction: FPI Checkouts, GFC500 Checkout, Mountain Checkout, IPC, FAA Flight Reviews.
Availability: Weekends preferably early mornings only.
Website: www.theeffectivepilot.com
Francis O’Connor, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Occupation: CPA, Flight instructor
Primary flight instruction: Yes
Other instruction: Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, FAA Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Check, Currency and Proficiency Flights, Mock Checkrides / Stage Checks, Multi-engine Training (in non-FPI aircraft)
Availability: Weekday afternoons
Tala Orngard, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Occupation: Full-time Flight Instructor
Types of Instruction: Private Pilot, Commercial, Instrument, Flight Review, IPC, Rusty Pilot
Always on the lookout for insightful ways to help my students fly with skill, confidence, and finesse. I bring a positive outlook, patience, and a can-do attitude.
Times Available: Flexible
Joshua Smith, CFI-I
Types of instruction: Private Pilot, Commercial, Instrument Rating, BFR, IPC, and aircraft checkouts
Occupation: FAA Part 147 School Director, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance and Flight Instructor
Availability varies — contact me at airbandit at comcast dot net or 925-339-9596.
Chris Trapani, CFI, CFI-I
Occupation: Engineering Leader at Cisco
Other instruction: FPI Checkouts and FAA Flight Reviews, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Mountain Checkout, Instrument Proficiency Check.
Availability: Weekday afternoons, and occasional weekends.
Bob Turner, CFI, CFI-I
Occupation: Retired, former LLNL physicist.
Primary flight instruction: dual only, no solo endorsements.
Other instruction: Instrument Rating, CFI-I, Instrument Proficiency Check, FAA Flight Reviews, FPI Flight Reviews.
Availability: Most days except Sunday mornings.
TED WADDELOW, CFI-A, CFI-I
Occupation: Part-time flight instructor and Government Affairs professional
Primary flight instruction: Yes
Other instruction: Instrument Rating, Commercial, Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Check, Aircraft Checkouts, Rusty Pilot.
Availability: Weekends and Evenings
Tyler White, PhD, CFI-A, CFI-I
Occupation: Retired Biotech Scientist, Part-Time Flight Instructor
Primary flight instruction: Yes
Other instruction: Commercial & Flight Instructor Certificates, and Instrument Rating. Also available for FAA Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Check, FPI Aircraft Checkouts, plus initial and recurrent flights reviews.
Availability: Weekdays and Weekends, Days and Evenings
jonathan wong, cfi, igi
Occupation: Full-time Flight Instructor
Primary Flight Instruction: Yes
Other instruction: FAA Flight Review, TAA, Instrument Ground, HP, FPI checkout, High and Low wing aircraft, Currency and Proficiency flights (Mountain flying and Complex in non-FPI planes).
Availability: Weekdays and Weekends, Days and Evenings
SHUAI ZHAO, PH.D., CFI, CFI-I
Occupation: Tech Lead, and Part-time Flight Instructor
Primary flight instruction: No
Other instruction: Specific advanced ratings, FAA Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Check, and FPI Aircraft Checkouts.
Availability: By appointment
