OUR STAFF
Excellence in training begins with a dedicated, professional staff. From instructors and ground crew all the way to administrative personnel, California Flight Academy is proud of the quality and competence of all of our employees. |
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Len Mooney
Owner
Click Here for a message from our CEO! |
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Kent Parrish
Instructor
Graduated University of San Diego with a Business and Psychology degree, previously owned a banner towing business and a flight school doing Citation Type Ratings. My passhion for aviation came from my father who is a retired TWA pilot. There is nothing like the freedom of being in the sky and going where you want to go on your own schedule.
Hobbies: fitness, skiing, diving, backpacking, wine collecting and travel. |
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| Accounting |
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| Housing/Student Affairs |
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Justin Crews
Student Affairs/Housing |
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Shelly Adamson
Department of Student Affairs Assistant |
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| Flight Instruction Staff |
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Esa Harvela
Director of Flight Operations
Esa was born and raised in Finland, but has been living in the United States since 1994. Esa is an FAA Gold Seal flight instructor and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Before relocating to San Diego, Esa worked more than a decade at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. At Embry-Riddle, Esa held various management positions including the Flight Standards Manager’s and Chief Instructor’s positions. |
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Ashraf Dakwar
Private Pilot Team Leader and a check pilot
Ashraf Dakwar was Born and raised in Haifa, Israel and he's wanted to be a pilot for as long as he can remember. He started taking flying lessons back in 1996 and became a certified flight instructor in 2004 for single/multi engine land and instrument airplanes. His teaching motto is: :If you are responsible and safe, this career is for you." |
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Adam A. Hettinger
Instrument Pilot Team Leaders and a check pilot
Adam wanted to be a pilot ever since his first flight in a Cessna when he was four years old. Originally from Colorado, where he began his flight training in 1999, Adam served in the United States Army and has returned to San Diego after an overseas tour in Iraq. He has been a CFI for over a year and looks forward to the future of aviation. Someday soon he will start training his one-year old son how to fly. |
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Frank Trenti
Instructor |
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Jason Adams
Instructor
I was Born and raised here in San Diego and from as early as I can remeber I've wanted to be a pilot. I started taking flying lessons durring high school, and advanced my certificates and ratings as I could over time to become a flight instructor and start a career. I have been flying for 7 years and instructing for six months now. My teaching motto is give it your best, and never give up. |
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Rob Mai
Instructor
I was born and raised in New York City. I was introduced to the Aviation field while attending and graduating Aviation High School in the late 1980's. I earned my Airframe & Powerplant license along with my high school diploma.
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Shigeki Morita
Instructor
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Jeremy Prus
Instructor |
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Tatsuya Sone
Instructor |
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Luke Wilcox
Instructor |
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Jared Podbieslski
Flight Instructor
I was born and raised in Northern California, but have been living in Sunny San Diego for almost a year. I have been flying continuously since 2007 when an into flight got me hooked! I completed an accelerated career pilot program at ATP in Dallas, TX after attending Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. As a flight instructor I am pleased to educate new pilots as well as share stories from my own coasts to coast flying experiences. In addition to flying my hobbies include snowboarding, camping, fishing, and diving. |
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Gabriel Keller
Instructor |
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Glen Abdelnoor
Instructor
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Kyle Rogers
Instructor |
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| Maintence Department |
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Ernie Reynolds
Airframe Technician
21 years in the navy in aircraft airframes. Retired Senior Chief. Background and experience has improved our production and training experiences for all of those who work with him. |
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