D&J Aviation’s leadership team brings together decades of aviation experience, professional expertise, and a shared passion for developing the next generation of pilots. Our leaders aren’t just business executives – they’re active pilots, aviation professionals, and industry experts who understand what it takes to succeed in modern aviation careers.
This combination of business acumen and real-world aviation experience ensures that every decision at D&J Aviation is made with students’ success and safety as the top priorities.
Dave Carus is a Shareholder and Registered Patent Attorney at Orlando based Allen Dyer, P.A., and Co-Founder of D&J Aviation. Dave practices in the areas of patent prosecution, patent litigation, and aviation law.
Dave’s patent experience includes the areas of electrical and electronic equipment including, for example, mobile wireless communications devices, antennas, finger biometric sensing devices, display technologies, haptics, cables, optical devices, radar devices, and semiconductor devices, mechanical devices, and Internet related inventions, for example, e-commerce, digital couponing, and Internet of Things (IOT) systems. Dave has consistently been recognized by industry leaders and his peers as one of the top lawyers in his field.
Prior to his legal and aviation careers, Dave served as a Test and Evaluation Engineer for defense contractor Northrop Grumman. As part of the flight test crew at Northrop Grumman and logging over 500 in-flight hours, Mr. Carus designed and tested aerial ground surveillance and battle management systems on the Joint Stars E8-C Aircraft platform. In addition to his law degree, Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Masters of Business Administration. Dave is a commercial multi-engine pilot and serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts at Florida Institute of Technology.
Outside of his work, Mr. Carus plays ice hockey and enjoys flying to new places and spending time with his family.
Justin Ash is a seasoned Captain on the A-320 for JetBlue Airways and the Owner of D&J Aviation, LLC, a reputable flight school and aviation services provider. With a strong aviation background as a second-generation pilot, Justin’s flying skills are innate. He obtained his pilot license and gained experience as a flight instructor while pursuing his education at the University of Central Florida. Transitioning from a flight instructor to a corporate pilot, regional airline pilot, and eventually a major airline pilot, Justin has excelled in various aviation roles. His career has seen him take on management and training positions, including serving as an Assistant System Chief Pilot at a regional carrier and currently as an Airline Transport Flight Instructor at JetBlue University.
Committed to nurturing a love for aviation, Justin co-owns a leading flight school in Florida with multiple locations across Central Florida, shaping the next generation of pilots.
Based in Orlando, Florida, Justin values family time, enjoys coaching his daughter on the basketball court, playing golf, and exploring new golf courses in his leisure time.
Justin Ash is a seasoned Captain on the A-320 for JetBlue Airways and the Owner of D&J Aviation, LLC, a reputable flight school and aviation services provider. With a strong aviation background as a second-generation pilot, Justin’s flying skills are innate. He obtained his pilot license and gained experience as a flight instructor while pursuing his education at the University of Central Florida. Transitioning from a flight instructor to a corporate pilot, regional airline pilot, and eventually a major airline pilot, Justin has excelled in various aviation roles. His career has seen him take on management and training positions, including serving as an Assistant System Chief Pilot at a regional carrier and currently as an Airline Transport Flight Instructor at JetBlue University.
Committed to nurturing a love for aviation, Justin co-owns a leading flight school in Florida with multiple locations across Central Florida, shaping the next generation of pilots.
Based in Orlando, Florida, Justin values family time, enjoys coaching his daughter on the basketball court, playing golf, and exploring new golf courses in his leisure time.
As the Director of Operations, IT & Marketing at D&J Aviation, I combine my tech expertise with my passion for aviation.
As a private pilot with an instrument rating, my career in IT and cybersecurity focuses on human-centric communication while maintaining strong security solutions.
At D&J Aviation, I integrate technology and aviation, leading IT initiatives while driving marketing and operational projects. This role allows me to blend my professional skills with my love for flying.
When I’m not at work, you’ll find me planning my next flight, spoiling my pets, or playing golf.
My name is Leila and I’m excited to spend my second career as a CFI and Assistant Chief Pilot at D&J Aviation!
Becoming a pilot was never something that crossed my mind until 5 years ago. I’ve always been a total science nerd who loves food, so I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Food and Nutrition from The Florida State University. For 12 years, I practiced nutrition in the community sector where I most recently served as the Senior Nutritionist for a government funded low-income program in my hometown of Orlando, Florida.
In 2019, my father (a rusty pilot who gave up flying when I was born), regained his currency as a private pilot and took me up for a flight where he let me “take controls”. I was absolutely hooked from that moment on. I diligently saved up enough to earn start training and for 3 years, I balanced my full-time Nutrition manager role while flight training every weekend at D&J Aviation from private, to instrument, to commercial, to Certified Flight Instructor.
I’m proof that you’re never too old to find a new passion; who says you have to have one career in the one lifetime you’re given? I’m excited to share my love for aviation with aspiring pilots of all ages while bringing a unique level of enthusiasm to D&J. I’ve called Hangar 81 at X04 my weekend home all throughout my own training and I’m now thrilled to be a part of this talented flight instructor team to pass on what I was always given as a student: compassion, a sense of belonging, encouragement and patience.
When I’m not flying, you’ll either find me in my kitchen cooking, at the gym lifting weights or at one of Orlando’s theme parks being a total kid at heart riding rides. I’m a pilot and CFI, but also forever a nutritionist… so you may end up with an added bonus of valuable nutrition advice throughout your flight training.
My name is Leila and I’m excited to spend my second career as a CFI and Assistant Chief Pilot at D&J Aviation!
Becoming a pilot was never something that crossed my mind until 5 years ago. I’ve always been a total science nerd who loves food, so I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Food and Nutrition from The Florida State University. For 12 years, I practiced nutrition in the community sector where I most recently served as the Senior Nutritionist for a government funded low-income program in my hometown of Orlando, Florida.
In 2019, my father (a rusty pilot who gave up flying when I was born), regained his currency as a private pilot and took me up for a flight where he let me “take controls”. I was absolutely hooked from that moment on. I diligently saved up enough to earn start training and for 3 years, I balanced my full-time Nutrition manager role while flight training every weekend at D&J Aviation from private, to instrument, to commercial, to Certified Flight Instructor.
I’m proof that you’re never too old to find a new passion; who says you have to have one career in the one lifetime you’re given? I’m excited to share my love for aviation with aspiring pilots of all ages while bringing a unique level of enthusiasm to D&J. I’ve called Hangar 81 at X04 my weekend home all throughout my own training and I’m now thrilled to be a part of this talented flight instructor team to pass on what I was always given as a student: compassion, a sense of belonging, encouragement and patience.
When I’m not flying, you’ll either find me in my kitchen cooking, at the gym lifting weights or at one of Orlando’s theme parks being a total kid at heart riding rides. I’m a pilot and CFI, but also forever a nutritionist… so you may end up with an added bonus of valuable nutrition advice throughout your flight training.
When you choose D&J Aviation, you’re choosing a flight school led by people who understand both the business of aviation and the reality of building pilot careers.
But they are only part of the equation.
Everyone at D&J creates exceptional flight training experiences for our students.
