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 Our Certified Flight Instructors

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Dave Ingalls

Chief Flight Instructor

 Dave has been a Corporate Pilot for 4 years, Holds a type rating in a CE-650, CE-550, Former Instructor on the CRJ-900 for Endeavor Airlines. Experience in King Air and Other Turbine Powered Aircraft. CFI for over 6 years with over 450 hours Dual given. Owner of Both Single Engine and Multi-Engine Aircraft. Left Non-Flying career to pursue his aviation passion Full-Time back in 2010.

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Patrick Zenk

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

Patrick retired from the Army in 2021 after 28-years of active service with the goal of sharing his passion for flight. As a former Army Ranger and UH-60 MEDEVAC helicopter pilot with more than 1750 hours, including over 600 hours flying in combat, Patrick brings with him a wealth of experience flying throughout the world in a variety of terrain and harsh environments. He is proficient in G1000 avionics, and actively volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol. Outside of flying, he enjoys volleyball, hunting, fishing, skiing, primitive camping and bushcraft.

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Adrian Sommers

CFI

Adrian was born and raised in Minnesota. Formally a real estate agent, Adrian first started flying in 2019 and has developed a passion for all things aviation. He is the first person in his family to venture into the world of flying and has aspirations of becoming an airline pilot. Adrian is dedicated to sharing his enthusiasm for flying with his students and wants to continue to earn additional certificates and ratings. Outside of flying, Adrian enjoys travel, chess and relaxation. 

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Scott Jestice

CFI, CFII, MEI

Scott retired from the Air Force flying T-37, T-38, and F15C aircraft.  Scott currently works for a Major airline flying the 757/767. He also flies for a government contracting agency for the Air Force flying the L-159 as an Aggressor Pilot. Scott has flown more than 20 different aircraft and over 9000 hours of flight time.  Scott has been an instructor for over 25 years. 

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Carl Anderson

CFI, CFII, MEI

A CFI since 1994, Carl is a current corporate jet and former airline captain.  Carl served as aviation trainer & curriculum developer for the MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Cloud Seeding Pilot and Instructor, and international ferry pilot with ocean crossings in piston twins, turboprops, and jets.  Carl is a volunteer on the FAA Safety Team in Minneapolis with a special interest in the science of safety and risk management.

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Mahbub Khan

CFI, CFII, MEI

A software engineer by trade, Mahbub is a passionate aviator. He loves sharing the joy of flying with others. He is proficient with different aircrafts, avionics including the G1000 avionics suite. Mahbub actively volunteers for Civil Air Patrol operations. He is also a FAA Safety Team representative for Minneapolis FSDO. Mahbub enjoys traveling, skiing and honing his newly acquired skills in ukulele.

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Brian Beckmann

CFI

Brian has a degree in Aviation Management and has served in the Air Force since 2011 flying on C-130s as a loadmaster and navigator. In 2020, Brian decided to make a career of civilian flying and earned his ratings through CFI. When he's not flying, Brian likes to travel and pursue photography. 

Mark Porter

CFI

In 2020, Ryan decided to make a complete career change. He enrolled at ATP and finished the program in just under a year; leaving with his CFI, CFII, and MEI. He joined the Aloft family in October of 2021. Ryan enjoys hunting, fishing, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Mark has a life-long passion for flying.  He served in the USAF as an Airborne Communications Systems Technician and was also an instructor and an evaluator.  Mark spent over a decade as a professional fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) pilot, mechanic and site lead.  He traveled all over the world using this cutting edge technology.  Mark has a BS in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety from Embry Riddle University.  Additionally, Mark is working to complete his second bachelor’s degree in Commercial Aviation.  Outside of flying, Mark and his wife are Lakeville residents with their two children.  They enjoy traveling, camping and watching their kids participate in soccer and cheerleading.

Julio Suarez

CFI, CFII

On his discovery flight, Julio was hooked on flying. He is the first aviator is his family, earning his flight certificates in Eden Prairie and loves to share his love for aviation with others. Tailwheel endorsed, Julio continues to expand his skills and his education by being a member of the FAA WINGS program and working towards advanced ratings/certificates. Outside of aviation, Julio enjoys traveling, live music movies, and hanging out with his dogs.

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Jim Kaufman

CFI

Jim brings a broad range of aviation experience, earning his Private Pilot License while attending the University of Minnesota.  Serving 10 years as an Air Traffic Control Officer / Airfield Operations Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Jim was a fully rated Tower Controller and Radar Approach Controller at two major west coast Marine Corps airfield installations while also assigned as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer working with the FAA on air traffic and airspace issues.  Along with earning his CFI certificate, he holds a Commercial Glider Pilot rating, a tailwheel endorsement, and is working toward additional instructor ratings.  Jim also volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol.  When not flying, he enjoys all outdoor sports and activities, traveling to see rock concerts, and playing music especially banjo and guitar.

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David Lambrecht
CFI,CFII

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