Administration

Instructors

Maintenance

Employment

Brad joins us from the great State of Indiana! He is a graduate from Indiana State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Professional Aviation Flight Technology.  Brad makes learning to fly fun & exciting for all his students! He presently holds the FAA Certified Flight Instructor - Airplane (CFIA) and Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) ratings.  Brad has experience in a myriad of general aviation aircraft including the Cessna 152 & 172, the Piper Arrow, Seminole, Dakota and the Super Decathlon.  Brad has aviation in his blood and can't remember a time when he didn't want to fly.  Just ask his dad - a Senior Delta Captain flying 757's around the world. 

Anthony Ripani                Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

From his earliest childhood, Anthony knew he wanted to fly.  He brings to HFA not only years of instructing experience in a wide variety of aircraft, but also a diverse professional background.  He currently holds CFI, CFII, MEI ratings. Anthony has also enjoyed briefs stints as a commuter airline and charter pilot.  Anthony hails from a health care background where he is a licensed Dentist and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dentistry at New York Medical College. Whether you're in our Career Program or pursuing your pilot certificates and ratings  for recreation - Anthony is there to ensure that you're on course.

John Kolmos Executive Flight Director

John is known as the ultimate educator.  He has the uncanny ability to help students not only pass the written and practical tests but understand and “own” the knowledge.  John comes to us with a wealth of experience.  At present he is employed by the 3rd largest air charter operation in the United States as their Manager of Crew Member Training. John holds a B.S. Degree in Aviation Safety Management from Brier State University of Alabama and is presently completing his B.A. in Professional Aeronautics with Embry Riddle University.  If you’re a pilot you’re familiar with “Pilot Audio Update.”  John is one of its principle contributors.  He hosts our monthly FAA Safety Seminars at HFA.  In his spare time John enjoys his time with the Civil Air Patrol as its Aerospace Educational Officer.  We are also happy to announce that John is the recipient of the coveted Chuck Yeager Aerospace Excellency Award.

Aldo comes to us with an incredible amount of aviation knowledge.  He has been working for commercial airlines for over 15 years.  He holds a BA degree in Computer Science with concentrations in mathematics and physics from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.  His ratings include CFIA, CFII and Multi-Engine.  His friends and family are convinced that jet fuel runs through his veins.  Aldo's love of flying began at the age of 5 when he flew on an airplane for the first time.  He has the ability to make learning easy and exciting.

Richard Malik Senior Flight Instructor

Without a doubt – Rick was born with flying in his blood. He is completing his BA degree at Farmingdale State University in Aviation Administration.  At present he has 1,400 total hours and over 1,100 hours of flight instruction given.  When he’s not working behind the scenes at HFA, instructing students, and studying for college he can be seen racing to fires as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic. 

Pete took his first flying lesson at age 13 and has had a passion for aviation ever since. He currently holds CFI and CFII ratings and has been an aircraft owner for the past 6 years. Pete has a BA in History from Long Island University, C.W. Post. When not instructing at Heritage Flight Academy, Pete works as a Firefighter for New York City Fire Department. His hobbies include snowboarding, surfing, volunteering as a Firefighter/EMT, and of course flying his Cessna 182 all over the northeast.