About Our Team

Laura Taylor

Founder, Airplane Pilot, C-SIP

Laura Taylor has been a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) in airplanes since 2006. She comes from a family of pilots and grew up around aviation, which fueled her passion. Laura and her husband, Zack, opened up the flight school in March of 2012 and have truly enjoyed growing the company to where it stands today and introducing hundreds of new people to aviation. Laura has completed the Cirrus Factory training to become a Cirrus Instructor (CSIP) and enjoys transitioning people in our SR22 or SR20, or their own aircraft. In addition to flight instructing, Laura also enjoys flying as a contract pilot in a King Air 350, Challenger 604/605, and Citations. When not flying, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons and being on the water.

Laura has the following ratings:
• Commercial: Single/Multi Engine Land & Sea
• Airline Transport Pilot: Fixed Wing
• Certified Flight Instructor: Fixed Wing CFI, CFII, MEI

Zack Taylor

Founder, Chief Helicopter Pilot, Helicopter Charter Pilot

Zack currently oversees Tampa Bay Aviation’s part 61 and part 141 helicopter flight school as chief helicopter instructor. His previous experience includes flying Eurocopters for AirLife in Florida and Georgia as well as Bell Helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico to oil platforms. Zack’s extensive experience and knowledge with helicopters drives Tampa Bay Aviation’s helicopter flight school to exceed expectations and continue to grow into a prestigious establishment.

Zack has the following ratings:
• Airline Transport Pilot: Helicopter
• Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII
• Commercial: Single Engine Land

Chief and Assistant Chief Pilots

jason paul

Chief Fixed-Wing Pilot

Bio coming soon.

Dennis Berghuijs

Assistant Chief Helicopter Instructor, Helicopter Tour Pilot, Helicopter and Fixed-Wing Charter Pilot

Dennis Berghuijs, originally from The Netherlands, moved to Florida in 2013 to pursue a career in the aviation industry. After successfully completing the FAA and EASA pilot programs, he became an active Certified Flight Instructor in 2014 and joined Tampa Bay Aviation in 2016. In addition to instruction, Dennis does Tour, Photography and Charter flights.

Dennis has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Helicopter
• Airline Transport Pilot: Helicopter
• Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII
• Ground Instructor: Advanced
• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Fixed Wing CFI, CFII
• Cirrus:  TCI

Airplane Instructors

Isaiah Karsen

Airplane Flight Instructor

Isaiah was born and raised in Michigan. He attended North Western Michigan college where he earned his pilot ratings up to commercial license. During his commercial check ride process he had come down to Florida to fly (better weather) and finished his commercial, CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. Isaiah was hired directly from our CFI class when a spot opened up. His goal is to earn his hours and work for a regional airline or a cargo company.

Isaiah has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Multi Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI

Emily Leist

Airplane Flight Instructor

Emily is a 3rd generation pilot and her enthusiasm for aviation shows from the moment you meet her. After taking an introductory flight with Tampa Bay Aviation last year, she knew she had chosen the right career path and community of instructors to guide her. She’s completed her private certificate and CFI program all while earning her associate’s degree at St. Petersburg College. To continue toward her dream of flying cargo she is working toward her degree in Aviation Business Administration at Embry Riddle’s online program. She is excited to help students become the best pilots they can be!

Emily has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

Wes Davis

Airplane Flight Instructor

Wesley Davis is a Florida native, born in Dunedin, Florida. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences. After graduating college, he took the MCAT to pursue a career in medicine while simultaneously receiving flying lessons to diversify his background. After obtaining his private pilot license at Tampa Bay Aviation, he quickly realized flying was his true calling and pursued further pilot and instructor certificates instead of medicine. He enjoys seeing his student’s develop into confident and skillful pilots ready to navigate the skies! 

Tony Johnstone

Aerobatic Airplane Flight Instructor

Tony Johnstone, MD, has been flying since high school in 1967.  He has been instructing aerobatics and tailwheel since 2003 and has given over 2000 hours of dual in his Super Decathlon.  Tony also holds a CFII, MEI, ATP with 2 type ratings in jets, Commercial Seaplane and Glider ratings, and has been in the past designated Master CFI-Aerobatic.  He is a FAASTEAM rep with the Tampa FSDO and a retired general surgeon who practiced in Canada and then Kansas for a total of 30 years.  Tony worked as a demo/transportation pilot for Cessna in Wichita following his retirement from surgery.

Tony has the following ratings:

• ATP: Airplane Multi-Engine Land
• Type Rating:  C525, C560XLS
• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Multi-Engine Land, Single Engine Seaplane, Glider
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI
• Ground Instructor: Advanced

Ben Phillips

Airplane Flight Instructor

Born in Cincinnati Ohio, Ben’s first flight was at 6 months old with his father flying a helicopter. Ben started training in Ohio and quickly moved to Tampa Bay Aviation to escape the weather. He finished his private license and continued thru his certified flight instructor instrument rating here. Ben is excited to help others on their path. His long-term goals include a job in the airline industry.

Ben has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Multi Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI,CFII

Ryan Christensen

Airplane Flight Instructor

Ryan was born and raised right here in Clearwater, FL. It was in 2015 when Ryan found his love for flying after his first discovery flight at Tampa Bay Aviation. It was this passion that led him to enroll at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to eventually graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautics. After graduation, Ryan returned home to complete his CFI with Tampa Bay Aviation and continues to share his passion for flying with his current students. When Ryan isn’t flying, he’s either out on the boat or supporting his local sports teams, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa bay Lightning and Florida State Seminoles!

Ryan has the following ratings:

• Commercial Airplane Single Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor Airplane CFI, CFII

Alec Eline

Christina Kennedy

Airplane Flight Instructor

Christina is originally from Tampa, Florida and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management from University of Central Florida. After completing her degree, she toured the United States courtesy of Frontier Airlines as a flight attendant. While working for Frontier, she discovered her love of flying and decided to return to school to become a pilot. Kennedy recently received her Bachelor’s Degree at Polk State College and finished her flight training through Sunrise Aviation.

Christina has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI

Shelby Taylor

Airplane Flight Instructor

Shelby was born and raised in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and as a young girl from a family with an aviation background, discovered an interest in getting her pilot’s license. It wasn’t until later in life after graduating from Winona State University with degrees in Spanish and Recreation & Tourism, that she took a discovery flight and left her full-time desk job behind. After diving into aviation and completing her training at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN, Shelby is excited to take her passion to the sunny skies of Florida and help students achieve their flying goals.

Shelby has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

Audrey Kellogg

Airplane Flight Instructor

Audrey graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Psychology. She previously traveled the world as a flight attendant before deciding to pursue a career as a pilot. As a former flight attendant instructor, she has a passion for teaching and is dedicated to helping her students achieve their flying goals. In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, scuba diving, and hiking with her pups.

Audrey has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Multi-Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI

Kirolos Gerges

Airplane Flight Instructor

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Kiro had a dream of becoming a pilot from a very young age. His family moved to Bayonne, NJ when Kiro turned ten years old. A few years later they decided that Florida may be a better fit for their family as they all greatly disliked the cold weather and had better job opportunities in Tampa Bay area. After graduating from Palm Harbor University high school, Kiro attended St. Petersburg Community College for Aerospace to start his career in aviation. One year later Kiro got into Tampa Bay Aviation and started working towards his private pilot license. The journey he experienced had its ups and downs yet he made it out and graduated in 2021 with all the certifications he desired and finally started living out the beginning of his dream. Away from aviation, Kiro spends his time traveling and making quality memories with family and friends.

Kiro has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Multi-Engine Land
• Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI

Beau Fisch

Airplane Flight Instructor

Beau was born and raised in Livingston, Montana. He found his love for aviation flying in the San Juan Islands of Washington State where he obtained his private pilot license in 2008. Beau is attending Liberty University in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree. As a member of the United States Coast Guard since 2010, he has experience as an aviation mechanic, quality assurance inspector and qualified as a C-130H Flight Engineer instructor and examiner. He completed his Instrument and Commercial ratings in Oahu, Hawaii and his CFI and AGI here with Tampa Bay Aviation. He is excited to be instructing and helping students achieve their goals. 

Zach Johnson

Airplane Flight Instructor

Zach was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of South Florida, but wanted something more fun out of life. His uncle an International Captain for Delta Airlines, took him on an introductory flight and Zach never looked back. After completing his training at Tampa Bay Aviation, he is excited to share his passion and knowledge of aviation with others!

Anthony Brunke

Airplane Flight Instructor

Anthony Brunke is a Certified Flight Instructor for airplanes with two additional ratings (CFII and MEI). He spent eight years in the United States Marine Corps where he worked very closely with tactical aircraft, which is where his interest in aviation began. After completing his time in the Marine Corps, Anthony moved back to Maryland where he attended the University of Maryland and earned a B.S. in Kinesiology. Then he moved to the Tampa Bay area to begin his career in aviation.

Anthony has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land/Multi-Engine Land
• Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, and MEI

Casey Jones

Airplane Flight Instructor

Casey is a 3rd generation pilot from Palm Harbor, Florida, who dreams of becoming a major airline pilot. He graduated from Florida State University in 2020 with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Biology. When Casey isn’t flying, he is playing super smash bros with the guys or making unnecessarily complicated dinners for his girlfriend and their dog, Peanut. Casey can’t wait to introduce his students to all of the best parts of general aviation and help lead them toward their aeronautical goals!

Casey has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land
• Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

Michael Palella

Airplane Flight Instructor

Born and raised on the New Jersey shore, Michael could be found growing up surfing the beaches in the summer and competitively snowboarding in the Catskills Mountains in the winter. 1st generation pilot, Michael found his love for aviation after graduating Cum Laude from Augsburg University in Minneapolis with a major in finance and minor in prelaw. Michael moved to Tampa to pursue his career in aviation. Michael’s goal is to fly private and corporate jet operations around the world.

Michael has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land; Multi-Engine Land
• Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI

Jon Alter

Airplane Flight Instructor

Jon was born in Poughkeepsie, NY and raised in the Tampa Bay Area. He attended the University of South Florida where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and soon after entered the corporate world. After a few years, he decided a desk job wasn’t for him and jumped into aviation. When he’s not flying, you can find him playing golf, watching his favorite sports teams, or hanging in the pool. Jon is looking forward to helping students achieve their aviation goals!

Jon has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land; Multi-Engine Land
• Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

Will Graham

Airplane Flight Instructor

Will was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After graduating with an associate degree from Tyler Junior College, he went on a discovery flight and realized his goal was to become an airline pilot. After training in the DFW area and Oklahoma, he decided he would love to live closer to the beach and found a home at Tampa Bay Aviation. When he’s not flying, Will enjoys fishing and playing basketball and golf. He’s ready to begin helping others work towards their dream of becoming a pilot.

Will has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land
• Instructor: CFI, CFII

Helicopter Instructors

Josh Montour

Helicopter Instructor, Helicopter Tour Pilot

Josh was born in Vermont and then went on to attend Southern Utah University. Josh trained in Cedar City, UT where he worked through all of his helicopter ratings. He would like to work as an EMS pilot and then work his way up to fire/utility flying!

Josh Montour has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Helicopter
• Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII

Carlo Biagini

Helicopter Flight Instructor 

Carlo is from Santa Rosa, California and began instructing in airplanes in 1991. After 12 years of fixed wing instruction, he decided it was time for a change and began a new challenge instructing in helicopters. He considers himself fortunate to have joined the exceptional team at Tampa Bay Aviation in 2018. Carlo would eventually like to pursue a career in fire fighting, EMS, or Search and Rescue

Carlo Biagini has the following ratings:

• Airline Transport Pilot: Helicopter, Airplane Multi Engine Land
• Commercial: Helicopter, Airplane Single Engine Land
• Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII; Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI
• Ground Instructor: Advanced, Instrument

Grace Summers

 Helicopter Flight Instructor 

 Grace was born and raised in Cordova, TN. She played 4 years of tennis at Eastern Illinois University and graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science. Originally the goal was always to be a tennis coach, but after coaching multiple summer camps, Grace found out that coaching tennis wasn’t her true passion and that she wanted to do something more exciting. Although at that time she had never been in a helicopter, she just knew that being a helicopter pilot was the job for her! She started off flying airplanes in 2017 and then moved down to FL in 2019 to start her helicopter training with TBA. Down the road, she would love to fly for Border Patrol and potentially Medevac after that.

 Grace Summers has the following ratings:

• Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter
• Ground Instructor: Advanced
• Commercial: Helicopter
• Instrument Rating: Helicopter; ASEL
• Private: ASEL

jena kendall

 Helicopter Tour Pilot

Jena was born and raised in Three Lakes, WI. Her fascination with helicopters began at 5 years old, when the pilot demonstrated an autorotation on her first helicopter ride.

Jena graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a double major in Finance and Marketing. While attending college, Jena completed her private pilot training. After working in business for a few years, she has made her transition into aviation.

Jena Kendall has the following ratings:

• Commercial: Helicopter

Nicholas Simms

Helicopter Flight Instructor

Nick was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. At age 19, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served five years on active duty. Following the military, he began pursuing his passion in aviation by earning his Flight Instructor Certificate. Nick has an Associate’s degree in Aviation Management and continued his education for a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Nick moved to Florida in 2018 with his family to enjoy the warm weather, outdoors and wonderful beaches. Nick’s long-term career goal is to serve the community as a law enforcement pilot.

Nick has the following ratings:

Commercial: Helicopter

Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI
Private: Airplane Single Engine Land

Andy Nafe

Corey Hayes

Kevin Watkins

Kevin was born in Fayetteville, NC and raised in Germany. He has been working as a paramedic in the German EMS since 2013. Working with EMS helicopters, he knew this would be a career he had to pursue. Kevin has been visiting family in Florida for the past 11 years regularly and considers Tampa his second home. Working on his Instructor certificate, he is excited to share the joy of flying helicopters. His long-term goal is to fly the EMS helicopter he worked with.

Kevin holds the following ratings:

• Commercial: Helicopter

Staff

Katie Gannon

Third-Party Benefits Coordinator

Katie was born and raised here in Florida and because her father is an airline pilot she has been around aviation her entire life. She attended USF St. Pete. She has obtained her private through flight instructor ratings and is working toward her CFII!