If you want to have a great flight training experience, you need to have an exceptional instructor.
That’s why we only hire the best.
Our carefully selected team of certified flight instructors brings diverse backgrounds, extensive experience, and genuine passion for aviation education. Each instructor is committed to your success, providing personalized guidance that adapts to your learning style and career goals.
From pilots who discovered aviation later in life to second-generation pilots following family traditions, our instructors represent the full spectrum of aviation journeys.
And they’re here to guide you through yours.
Our Apopka Flight Training Team
Hey everyone, I’m Alex!
I was born in the U.S. to parents from Uruguay, and my aviation journey started with a dream that didn’t always feel realistic. Money and circumstances made it seem out of reach at times, but I stayed locked in, made sacrifices, and found a way to make it happen. Now I get to live that dream every day and help others do the same.
Before aviation, I took a few different paths. I played semi-professional soccer overseas, worked as a hotel manager, and did sales—all with one goal in mind: getting into aviation as fast as possible. That mindset is something I still carry with me today.
I’ve been instructing for over 2 years now and have sent over 23 students to checkrides, with 14 of my last 15 passing on the first attempt. I focus on building confident and safe pilots, and I like to keep things fun and engaging so training is something you actually look forward to.
Outside of flying, I’m a big soccer fan, enjoy being in the gym, BBQing, and building random projects. I’m also very family-oriented and always down to help people however I can.
Looking forward to helping you start or continue your aviation journey!
Hello everyone! My name is Jayce Stendback. I’m originally from Illinois, but I moved to Florida to pursue my flight training. I was recommended to D&J Aviation, where I earned my Commercial Pilot Certificate and Flight Instructor ratings.
I grew up in a small town in central Illinois and was first introduced to aviation after receiving a copy of Flight Simulator X. That experience sparked my interest and made me fall in love with the idea of becoming a pilot. Later, I participated in a Young Eagles flight at my local airfield, which further solidified my goal of pursuing aviation.
Today, I enjoy helping others begin their aviation journey or work toward additional ratings as a flight instructor. I look forward to sharing my experience and helping you succeed in your own path toward becoming a pilot.
Hello! I’m Nicholas.
Started my journey on a discovery flight and fell in love with flying ever since. Got my Private and Instrument certifications in NY then decided to trade the snowy cold winters for a perpetual summer here in Florida. Heard about D&J through a friend and found that it was the perfect fit for me. Here I was able to get my Commercial, CFI and CFII certifications. The journey has been great and the people here are even more so. I like motivating my students to excel in competency and safety to become the best pilots they can be, and to always remember how much fun the craft is. The sky’s the limit.
See you soon!
Hi!
My name is Wyatt Cooke and I am currently a CFI/CFI-I. I was born and raised in eastern Tennessee. I moved to Florida’s space coast at 15 years old and have been in central Florida ever since. As a flight instructor I value getting to work with people of all backgrounds. I enjoy making personal connections and figuring out what truly motivates each individual to achieve their goals outside of and within aviation.
I look forward to each student I am given the opportunity of teaching. I find it very rewarding seeing personal growth and career progression take place in those who have entrusted me with helping them achieve their dreams. Outside of aviation I enjoy traveling, experiencing new things, exploring, and mostly watching sports.
Wyatt Cooke
CFI/CFI-I
Nick Keene
I was born in Ohio and raised in Florida, where I developed a strong work ethic and a passion for aviation. Before pursuing my career in flying, I worked as a crane operator, a role that required precision, focus, and responsibility—skills I now bring into the cockpit.
Driven by my lifelong love for aviation, I began flight training while working full time. Through dedication and determination, I earned the majority of my ratings in just under two years. Today, as a flight instructor, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion with students, helping them build confidence and skill in every stage of their training. And like many pilots, I’ll never pass up the chance to fly to another airport just for a good snack.
Nickolas Keene
CFI/CFII/MEI
Hello everyone! My name is Jordan Rader and I am a CFI/CFI-I. I grew up traveling and have always enjoyed flying. I got my PPL my senior year of high school. I went to school in Michigan and got my instrument rating, commercial single, and CFI while there. I heard about D&J from a friend and got my commercial multi from them in the summer before going back to school in August. I graduated college with a Bachelor’s of Technology from Andrews University. I moved back home and got my CFI-I from D&J and will one day get my MEI.
In my spare time I love to go to the beach, be on the lake, travel, scuba dive, and spend time with my fiancé and family. I am also in the Air Force Reserves as a maintenance scheduler at Grissom ARB in Indiana.
Kaden Mackay
Pedro Machado
My name is Pedro Machado, and I’m a flight instructor originally from Brazil. Aviation has always been part of my life—my dad is a pilot and my mom was a flight attendant, so I grew up surrounded by airplanes and the industry.
I started my aviation journey at 18 after a close friend took me to his flight school for a discovery flight. From that moment on, I knew flying was what I wanted to do, and I’ve been pursuing it ever since.
As an instructor, I enjoy helping students build confidence and achieve their goals in aviation while sharing my passion for flying.
In my free time, I like to play and watch soccer and spend time playing video games.
Our Sanford Flight Training Team
Howdy,
I’m Connor Maskiell and I began my aviation journey in 2022. I have lived in Florida for most of my life. I attended UCF and joined TKE as a freshman with plans to graduate and attend UF DPT school. I pulled a 180 and fell in love with flight training. Once my journey began, I never turned back.
I came to D&J based on reputation and after a tour at the SFB location I fell in love with the environment. I originally started my training at a part 141 school and transitioned to D&J for my CFI/CFII. After finishing my CFI I knew that I was at home and decided to stick around.
As an instructor my goal is to instill excellence into every student and set a foundational level to build on till their dreams are achieved.
Outside of D&J I enjoy gaming with high school and college friends, working out, movie going, and spending time with friends and family. I love to cook and am a big foodie.
Hello! I’m Thimeshi, and I was born in Sri Lanka.
Growing up, I had the unique opportunity to experience life in different parts of the world, moving between Sri Lanka, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and America. Along the way, my love for aviation began to take shape. With my father as an airline pilot, aviation was always a huge part of my life—I spent countless hours watching Air Crash Investigation and dreaming about flying as a little child.
Everything changed on my 17th birthday when I asked for a discovery flight and got “bitten” by the aviation bug. It wasn’t just a fleeting interest; it became my passion and my purpose and I was ready to do it for the rest of my life.
After graduating from Timber Creek High School, I dove headfirst into pursuing a career in aviation. Over the years, I’ve earned my Commercial Pilot Certificate (ASEL and AMEL), all my instrument ratings, and instructor certifications, including CFI, CFII, and MEI. I also obtained a high-performance endorsement, continually building the skills and knowledge I need to thrive in the skies.
When I’m not flying or teaching, you can find me enjoying a good book, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or spending quality time with my dog, Leo. Aviation is a huge part of who I am, but it’s these small joys that keep life balanced and fulfilling.
Hi I’m Rob!
I’ve always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but I didn’t take the leap until I was 30. For years, aviation was a passion I admired from afar, fueled by countless hours in flight simulators. Once I finally stepped into a cockpit, I knew this was where I belonged. Guided by incredible mentors—and supported by friends who kept me motivated—I pursued my dream and never looked back.
As a flight instructor today, I believe in respecting every student’s vulnerability and creating a fun, engaging environment so we can keep motivation high. I’m honored to guide others on their aviation journeys, just as mine took flight after years of dreaming.
I love:
Also, I’m an MRI Technologist at ORMC in downtown Orlando which is where I spend every Friday and Saturday working!
Hi everyone!
My name is Nicole Zmuda. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I attended Western Carolina University where I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I later went back for my master’s degree in gifted education. I taught 3rd grade for one year and 2nd grade for five years before deciding to follow my love for aviation, which brought my sister and I to Florida to start flight training. I began instructing in April of 2025. I love teaching and flying, so being a CFI has been incredibly rewarding. Outside of flying I enjoy spending time with family and friends, riding roller coasters, and swimming.
I look forward to continuing to share my love and knowledge for aviation as well as helping others achieve their goals!
Hey yall!
I’m a 2nd career pilot.
Always wanted to be a pilot but it just seemed to be out of reach for me at the time. So I ended up becoming an engineer, worked in the industry for a bit but that was very short lived. Engineering was not for me. Funny how life works, I somehow came back to my original plan and started flight training in 2022. Absolutely no regrets in the process. If we are being honest, engineering was just a side quest, and now I’m back on the main storyline.
With that being said: “I do love flying and have enjoyed every single *0.1* I have logged”.
I started my training in KPAE and then transitioned to KSFB for the second half of my instrument training. If you’re thinking about moving to FL from another state or Country. This is what I have to say- “You will get the absolute best experience/knowledge flying out of here, Florida is where you NEED to be”. The busy airspace will give you the closest experience to realistic commercial aviation and *feeling like a real pilot* as you train to become one. Flying out of KSFB, at times we are taxing or even taking off next to A320s. The other day, I was even notified by ATC to keep visual separation from an Allegiant aircraft that was 1000ft above us. This is not something that you get to encounter in other cities. My knowledge has grown 10x since flying here.
Fun facts about me:
Meet Your Future Instructor
The instructor-student relationship is the foundation of successful flight training. Our experienced, passionate team is ready to guide you through every stage of your aviation journey, from discovery flight through advanced ratings.
Schedule your discovery flight and meet our instructors.
