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Our Flight Instructors

Preparing for an airline career? Professional IFR preparation for ATP candidates with airline captains and first officers.

Elijah Burgess, ATP-rated Flight Instructor and Embraer 145 Captain at Aviator.NYC

Elijah Burgess

(ATP, CFII)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Multi/Single Engine, Instrument, Commercial Airplane.
  • Instructor Specialty: High Performance, High Altitude, Turbine, Simulators, Technically Advanced Aircraft, Fear of Flying.
  • FAA Airman Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot, Typed: ERJ-170/190

Elijah Burgess is an FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor and the founder of EBFlight.com. He holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and currently flies the ERJ-170/190 as a First Officer for Republic Airways. Elijah's background includes developing training programs, managing a team of instructors, and operating a flight school under Part 61. Known for his structured approach and mentorship, Elijah has taught at Embry-Riddle as a Ground Instructor and specializes in helping students master complex concepts efficiently.

Julian Alarcon, ATP-rated Flight Instructor and Boeing 777 First Officer at Aviator.NYC

Julian Alarcon

(ATP, CFII, MEI)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Multi/Single Engine, Instrument Airplane, FAA Gold Seal Instructor.
  • Instructor Specialty: Complex, High Performance, High Altitude, Turbine, Simulators, Technically Advanced Aircraft, Fear of Flying.
  • FAA Airman Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot, Typed: LR-JET, DHC-8, and EMB-145, Airbus 320, Cessna 525S, Boeing 777.

Founder of Aviator.NYC, Julian is an FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor with over 1,000 hours of instructional time. He has flown everything from gliders to charter jets to wide body airliners and earned all his instructor ratings while serving on active duty. Julian holds a Master of Degree in Project Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is currently a First Officer for a major U.S. airline. He's also a long-time FAASTeam Representative, passionate about elevating flight training through real-world experience and simulator-based instruction.

Charles Steward, ATP-rated Flight Instructor and DHC-8 Captain at Aviator.NYC

Charles Canavan

(ATP, CFII)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Multi/Single Engine, Instrument, Commercial Airplane.
  • Instructor Specialty: High Performance, High Altitude, Turbine, Simulators, Technically Advanced Aircraft, Fear of Flying.
  • FAA Airman Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot, Typed: CL65 and B737

Charles is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor and current Boeing 737 pilot for a major U.S. airline. He brings a broad range of experience as a charter pilot, airline Captain and First Officer, and aviation educator. Outside the flight deck, Charles is the Founder and President of Four-Legged Fliers, a non-profit that coordinates air and ground transport for rescued animals across the country.

Ethan Moore, CFII Flight Instructor and G1000 Specialist at Aviator.NYC

Ethan Brown

(CFII)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Single Engine, Instrument Airplane, FAA Gold Seal Instructor.
  • Instructor Specialty: High Performance, Simulators, Technically Advanced Aircraft.

Ethan is a Gold Seal CFI/CFII with over 1,000 hours of instruction in New York's complex and high-density airspace. He has taught in a variety of aircraft equipped with everything from steam gauges to G1000, G500 TXi, GTN750, and other advanced avionics. Known for his structured and safety-focused approach, Ethan has maintained a 100% checkride pass rate for all 11 of his students. He is now a First Officer at a regional airline and previously served as a Flight Operations Intern for a major U.S. carrier, gaining valuable flight deck insight from the jumpseat.

Liam Tuohy, CFI/CFII and King Air Corporate Pilot at Aviator.NYC

Liam Tuohy

(CFI, CFII)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Single Engine, Instrument Airplane
  • Instructor Specialty: High-Performance and Turbine Operations

Liam Tuohy is a professional pilot with over 2,000 hours and experience flying King Air 350/200/90 aircraft in Part 91/135 operations. As a CFI and CFII, he specializes in high-performance and turbine training, bridging real-world corporate flying with simulator-based instruction. Liam also leads the Simulator Instructors Special Interest Group (SIG) for the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and is a member of both AOPA and NAFI.

Peter Yoder, ATP-rated Flight Instructor and Cessna Citation Captain at Aviator.NYC

Peter Lynde

(ATP, CFII, MEI)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Multi/Single Engine, Instrument, Commercial Airplane.
  • Instructor Specialty: Tailwheel Complex, High Performance, High Altitude, Turbine, Simulators, Technically Advanced Aircraft, Fear of Flying.
  • FAA Airman Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot, Typed: DHC-8, EMB-145, and B737

Peter has been with Aviator.NYC since day one and is a familiar face in many of our YouTube videos. A former instructor at CP Aviation, he taught primary, commercial, and instrument students, with a focus on advanced flight techniques. He is now a Captain for a major U.S. airline.

William Ritter, ATP-rated Flight Instructor and Airbus 320 First Officer at Aviator.NYC

William Wong

(ATP, CFII)

  • FAA Instructor Rating: Airplane Multi/Single Engine, Instrument, Commercial Airplane.
  • Instructor Specialty: Tailwheel Complex, High Performance, High Altitude, Turbine, Simulators, Technically Advanced Aircraft.
  • FAA Airman Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot, Typed: CL65.

William Wong is an accomplished aviator and educator with significant experience in flying Pilatus PC-12s across the Northeast and Caribbean. His instructional background in South Florida is marked by a 100% passing rate, demonstrating his skill as a flight instructor. Additionally, William has a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, enhancing his analytical and project management skills. His involvement in the aviation community includes mentorship through the Professional Asian Pilots Association, supporting flight training and career advancement for members.

Why Train with Airline Pilots?

Prepare for your airline career with instructors who are already there.


20,000+
Combined Flight Hours
8
Aircraft Type Ratings
7
ATP Certificates

What They Bring

Current Airline Operations

Active captains and first officers at major carriers

Type Rating Experience

Boeing 777, A320, ERJ-145, Citation experience

Professional Procedures

SOP adherence, stabilized approaches, go-around criteria

Career Path Knowledge

Real insights on hiring, training, and progression

What You Get

Airline-Ready Skills

Learn procedures and flows used in jet operations

Professional Briefing Standards

Learn approach briefings, threat assessments, contingencies

Jet Transition Preparation

Understand systems, automation, and energy management

Career Mentorship

Get advice on applications, interviews, and progression

Meet the Founder — Julian Alarcon

Julian Alarcon demonstrating simulator training

Watch: Julian's path to airline flying and why he built Aviator.NYC.

Who's at the Helm

I'm Julian Alarcon—founder of Aviator.NYC and a Boeing 777 airline pilot. My path started in high school, carried through Navy service, and today I fly long-haul worldwide.

The lesson? Flying looks smooth only because training is rigorous. That's why we built Aviator.NYC: to give hobby and career pilots access to real airline discipline in the simulator. Our instructors—active airline pilots, not part-timers—teach you the same workflows we rely on in real jets, so practice turns into lasting confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Instructors

Certifications Explained

Training Programs

Pricing & Costs