Zach Lucas
Zach was born and raised in St. Louis with 15 years of aviation experience. He served 9+ years active duty in the Marines as a Huey Crew Chief, Mechanic, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. He graduated from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor’s in Aviation Management in 2018. He is both a helicopter mechanic and helicopter CFI and CFII. Zach has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since October 2019.
Steven Solloway
Steve is a senior aerospace engineering student at Saint Louis University. He was first introduced to flying at the age of 8 by his dad and later completed his training at J.A. Air Center (KARR) and SLU. He’s had a lifelong passion for aviation and hopes to become an airline pilot. Steve is a CFI and CFII with 700 hours. He has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since February 2021.
Raegan McLaren
Raegan is originally from Gilbert, AZ, and is a graduate of Arizona State University School of Business. She completed her flight training with ATP in Phoenix, AZ. She is a CFI, CFII, MEI, and a Check Instructor, as well as the Ideal Aviation Social Media Coordinator. Raegan has been instructing with Ideal since June of 2021.
Josh Faibisoff
or form, he has earned commercial glider, airplane, and helicopter certificates. More than anything, he loves to teach and holds CFI and CFII ratings in airplanes and helicopters. The Air Force brought him to the St Louis area in 2003 and he continues to serve as a Flight Surgeon in the Reserves. Josh has been instructing with Ideal since April of 2021.
Jim Moseley
Jim graduated Magna-Cum-Laude from Saint Louis University with a B.S. in Flight Science. He is a CFI and CFII and was awarded the 2018 Flight Instructor of the year In the St. Louis area. He also instructs in Southwestern Illinois College’s Aviation program. Jim has been instructing with Ideal since January 2018.
Jason Anderson
riginally from California, Jason spent 20 years as an Air Force officer and C-130 Navigator. His final assignment landed him in the Metro-East area where he soon found himself flying helicopters, completing his training through CFII, and beginning a second career. Currently, a utility and 135 pilot for a local operator, Jason has been a part-time and check instructor with Ideal Aviation since 2019.
James Lovinggood
James Lovinggood is from Saint Louis, with a B.A. in Political Science from Miami of the University of Ohio. He served 4 years with the Army National Guard, and currently has his CFI and CFII with 1000 hours. He has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since October of 2020.
James Braithwaite
James served for 10 years in the British Royal Air Force and met his wife, Auburn, while working with the USAF in Germany. They now live in O’Fallon, IL, with their daughter Julia and two dogs Ollie and Kevin.
He is a fixed wing CFI, CFII and MEI and trained at a Part 141 flight school near San Antonio, Texas.
Collin Robertson
Collin was locally raised in Glen Carbon, IL. His love of flying helicopters was sparked while serving in the United States Navy and once out he completed his training at Upper Limit Aviation in Salt Lake City, UT. He has built over 900 flight hours and has been instructing with Ideal since July 2021.
Cody Adams
Cody is from Kansas City, Kansas. He studied at Kansas University and the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a CFI and CFII in helicopters and is an instrument-rate commercial pilot in airplanes. Cody has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since October 2019.
Casey Kroeker
Casey Kroeker was born and raised in St. Louis. He grew up dreaming about flying helicopters and after serving active duty in the US Army Infantry, he used his GI bill and pursued his dream of flight training. Now he is a CFI and close to completing his CFII. He has been instructing with Ideal since August of 2021.
Bruno Stopka
Bruno is a BSEE graduate from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and earned his MBA at Saint Louis University. He is CFI, CFII, and MEI with several decades of experience. He has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since July of 2017.
Brian VanHorn
Brian is a 20+ year Air Force veteran and a graduate of Saint Louis University. He is a CFI, Advanced Ground Instructor, and Dispatcher with over 5,000 flight hours. Brian has been instructing with Ideal Aviation since June 2019.
Brett Korte
Brett is from Highland, IL. He pursued his aviation dream at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL up to Commercial Multi-Engine. After graduating in May of 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree of Applied Science in Aviation Management and an Associate’s degree of Science in Aviation Flight, he received his CFI training from Midwest Aviation in Marion, IL while attending SIU. Brett has been instructing with Ideal since January of 2022.
Billy Miller
Billy is a Saint Louis native. He was on active duty in the marine corps for 4 years and reserve for another 4. He has been flying helicopters since March of 2019 and is currently working on his CFII in the Southwestern Illinois College Aviation Program. Billy has been instructing with Ideal since January of 2022.
Andre Santa Maria
Andre is a Saint Louis native who has always had a passion for aviation. He completed the entirety of his flight training at Saint Louis University as a college student, and one day hopes to fly for the U.S. Armed forces.
Andre is a CFI and has been instructing with Ideal since October 2021.