Skip to main content

Our Flight Instructors

New to flying? Start your training in our advanced flight simulator with experienced airline pilot instructors.

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.

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.

Jack Lyons, CFI Flight Instructor specializing in youth aviation at Aviator.NYC

Jack Ablon

(CFI)

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

Jack began flying at age 14, completed his first solo at 16, and earned his Private Pilot License (PPL) at 17. He has flown Piper, Cessna, and Cirrus aircraft equipped with G1000 and other advanced avionics. With strong experience in soft-field operations, Jack is also active in preserving Katama Airfield on Martha's Vineyard.

Why Train with Airline Pilots?

Airline habits from day one save you time, money, and frustration.


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

What They Bring

Airline-Standard Checklist Discipline

Structured flows used by professionals every flight

Real IFR/ATC Experience

Instructors who talk to ATC, and fly approaches every flight

Flight-Deck Coordination

Learn flight deck flow and workload management early

Consistency and Structure

Every lesson builds systematically on the last

What You Get

Correct Habits from Day One

Stop guessing—learn exact flows from pros

Natural Radio Work

Understand how ATC communication really sounds

Efficient Flight Deck Management

Learn to stay ahead of the airplane from the start

Faster Training Progress

Fewer hours wasted, smoother path to checkride

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