In Memory Joe Horwatt (✝ 2024)
It’s with a very heavy heart to share the passing of our very dear friend, mentor, Captain Joe Horwatt. Professionally Joe was a retired B767 Captain and active Instructor with over 10,000 hours of experience. Personally Joe was a funny, silly, and above all a caring and superb human being who dedicated the last years of his life to mentoring the next generation of pilots. He always made himself available to us for professional - and personal advice. We will carry on his passion and memories in our hearts as we continue to pursue our dreams to make Joe proud. Joe, we miss you terribly. May you fly in peace in blue skies and tail winds.
Raphael Schütz
Raphael holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate as well as Ground Instructor Certificates. Although he was an award winning Aerospace Engineer, he decided to pursue aviation as a second career and has since accumulated extensive experiences ferrying airplanes to Europe, the Bahamas, and all over the United States. He is involved with teaching our ground school programs, maintaining airplane records, bookkeeping and all things administrative.
Adam Jackson
.Adam Jackson serves as a CFI, CFII, and MEI. Adam has over 6000 hours and serves as Caravan Captain and Chief Pilot at Makers Air; he has significant experience instructing all over the United States and Bahamas.
Anh-Thu Nguyen
Anh-Thu Nguyen is an award winning instructor. She was named AOPA Certified Flight Instructor of the year in 2017 and 2023. She has been on numerous magazine covers including the Ninety-Nines and the Civil Air Patrol. She holds CFI, CFII, MEI as well as ATP certificates. With over 5000 hours of experience, she works half time as a B757/B767 pilot and instructs in all general aviation airplanes including the Lancair 4P, Mooney, Baron, Malibu, Cessnas, and Pipers. She started flying at the age of 16 and has never stopped. Her current project is to fly around the world in a Lancair 4P N49BX. Check out her Instagram.
Christian Perez
Christian Perez serves as a CFI and CFII. He also works at a pilot flying the Caravan at Makers Air to the Bahamas. Christian’s passion for aviation started when he was a child listening to his father’s stories in the Air Force, which motivated him to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Miami. After working as an engineer for 6 years, like many of us here at Dragon Flight Training Academy, he decided to take a leap of faith and pursue his dream of becoming a professional pilot!
Alaa Elbasty
Alaa Elbasty is an accomplished Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with over 1,600 hours of total flight time, including 650 hours in multi-engine aircraft. He hold additional certifications as a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI). With a strong record of success, Alaa has earned the prestigious Gold Seal designation, awarded to instructors who demonstrate exceptional teaching performance and high student success rates.
With extensive experience in both single-engine and multi-engine operations, Alaa excels in flight training and has guided numerous students to achieve their aviation certifications. He is passionate about aviation safety, precision flying, and helping students reach their full potential.