Brad Detert

CFI / CFII / MEI / ATP

Brad is the founder of Region Flyers. He started flying at age 19 and has since logged over 9,200 hours. He attained his formal training from Purdue University and currently flies the Airbus A320/321 for a Major US Airline.

Brad is qualified on just about every light general aviation aircraft, as well as 7 different corporate jets and airliners.  His job mostly entails running the business but occasionally you’ll find him out teaching in taildragger and multi-engine aircraft.  

Brad enjoys swimming, camping, traveling, scuba diving, skiing, and riding and fixing motorcycles.

Tyler Dean

CFI / ATP

Tyler grew up in the region and graduated from Lewis University’s Aviation Flight Program. From there he began working in various positions at a local FBO and Charter company. Tyler is currently a Captain on several business jets out of the Gary Airport.  He is a natural and very patient teacher!

Tyler enjoys fishing, hiking, playing hockey and softball in his free time. 

Tim Earles

CFI / CFII / MEI

Tim is our Assistant Chief Flight Instructor.  He has been obsessed with the physics of flight for as long as he can remember, but it wasn’t until after college that he decided to pursue the dream of becoming a professional pilot. He has done all of his training here at VPZ. Tim is a CFI/CFII/MEI and can teach you pretty much any course you desire!  

In addition to flying Tim teaches Algebra 2 and Physics part-time at a local high school.  See you in the sky Professor!

Josh Wittmer

CFI / CFII

Josh is studying Professional Flight at Purdue University.  He began flying at Valparaiso, where he received his Private Pilot License.

Josh is a CFI/CFII.

Josh enjoys flying, traveling, volunteering on the Fire Department and working on his family farm.

Andy Dessuit

CFI

Justin Jonusas

CFI

Justin is heavily involved in the pilot and aviation community and is an active member of both EAA and AOPA. He frequently organizes group fly-outs, camping trips, and other events to grow the network of Chicagoland pilots.

When he isn’t flying, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and 9-year old triplets as well as traveling, camping, and fishing.

Amanda Ji

CFI

Amanda was born in Taiwan, home of beautiful scenery. It’s no wonder she is adventurous and loves the outdoors. Coming to the U.S. opened some new windows of opportunities for Amanda and with strong influences in the field of aviation, she set out to build a new career doing what she loves!

Earning her PPL in 2018 she went on to become a CFI shortly after. Sharing her love of flying with her students, Amanda says she is “living her dream” and loves seeing the success of students living theirs!

Justin Seng

CFI/CFII/MEI

Justin grew up fascinated by airplanes and the magic of flight, but never thought the daydreaming could actually be hiding a possible career.  After trying many other paths, he decided to take a chance and dropped everything to give it a shot. Ever since that first taste of flight he still can’t get enough and loves every moment he can spend helping others to chase their own dreams in the sky!

When he isn’t flying or nerding out about aerodynamics, Justin loves traveling, reading, sailing Lake Michigan, and backpacking the great outdoors.

Mesha Masters

CFI/CFII

Mesha knew she wanted to be a pilot as soon as her Dad’s friend took her up for a flight.  She was hooked that day and called Region Flyers to make her new dream a reality.  She was so motivated that she earned her Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII certificates all within a year!

Mesha has a background in Veteranary Science but her true calling is in the cockpit.  She is the only “cool one” in her family as she puts it, because she’s the only one who knows how to fly!

When Mesha is not soaring aloft or teaching her students, she enjoys hiking, fishing, crochet, and indoor rock climbing.

If you need to get finished fast, Mesha knows how to keep you on track with your goal!

Barry Moore

CFI / CFII/ MEI / ATP

Barry grew up in the Chicago area and earned his initial ratings in California over 30 years ago. While currently an engineer for a chemical company, he is always looking to fly.  His 4000 plus hours of flying experience ranges from flight instruction to regional airline captain.

Barry is a CFI/CFII/MEI.

He is excited to share his passion for aviation while helping others achieve their own goals

Bill Dickinson

CFI

Bill first caught the flying bug as a child growing up in Chesterton, just up the road.  There was a small grass strip up there at one time.  Small training aircraft, ultralights, and paraglider would fly over at low altitudes while he watched on in amazement.  Years later Bill has fulfilled his dream of becoming a pilot and is a very active instructor, specializing in fast-paced accelerated flight training.  

An interesting fact about Bill is that his grandfather was a turret gunner during World War 2 in a B-17!

Bill has worked for many years at the steels mills in electrical maintenance, but has recently shifted focus to a career in aviation.  Bill brings a wealth of knowledge that he enjoys sharing with his students.

During his free time, he enjoys cycling, running, weight lifting, and playing guitar.  Rock on Bill! 

Mitchell Bolda

CFI

Mitchell has been fascinated since a young age by travelling, weather formations, and driving anything that could be operated.  He decided to combine all his passions into one form – aviation of course.

Mitchell completed his Private Pilot training at Region Flyers before moving on to more ratings while enrolled as an Aviation Major at Purdue University.  As soon as he earned his CFI certificate, he couldn’t wait to come back to Region to instruct.

An interesting fact about Mitchell is that his Grandfather was a mechanic for the United States Air Force, and his great uncle was an Air Force pilot and flew for American Airlines.  Flying is in his blood, and it shows.

In Mitchell’s free time, he enjoys spending time with family, boating, water-skiing, and winter snow sports.  Mitchell is a Christmas fanatic and enjoys serving at his Church.

Quite an enterprising young man, Mitchell has aspirations to be the Chief Pilot of American Airlines in the future.  See you in the sky Mitch!

Luke Sebring

CFI

Tony Rose

Ground School Instructor

Tony, a veteran pilot, former public school teacher and principal, is our Advanced Ground Instructor.

He offers ground school classes twice a week in sessions that last 12 weeks each.  His goal is to prepare prospective private pilots to pass their required FAA written exam. 

In Tony’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, playing a MEAN guitar, and of course flying!

Contact Tony for details on all things related to ground school.