Experienced Flight Instruction

Nobody invests more personally and professionally into their students than our team

Simply being in the air and building flight time isn't good enough. A student needs a teacher. That's why USAeroFlight is guided by veteran teachers Mike Gonzales, Brett Zukowski, Cecil Tune and Tom Burke. These men bring a passion for both guiding the next generation of flight instructors as well as training the next generation of commercial pilots, private pilots, and missionary aviators. Years of teaching experience coupled with thousands of hours of flight time in commercial, corporate, and missionary aviation enable them to bring you to a high level of proficiency and a thorough understanding of flight. With that you can achieve your aviation goals!

Brett Zukowski

DPE, ATP, CFII, MEI, A&P, IA, 2021 NAFI Master CFI

Co-Owner, Chief Flight Instructor

I have been fascinated with aviation since childhood. Over the last 30 years, I’ve been privileged to work as pilot, mechanic, flight instructor and mechanic instructor in general aviation, Alaskan missionary aviation, and the regional airlines. I consider teaching aviation my greatest privilege because teaching allows me to have a positive influence in the lives and careers of others.

Mike Gonzales

CFII, MEI, A&P

Co-Owner, Flight School Manager

My flying career began in the baggage compartment of my grandfather’s Cessna 150 as soon as I was old enough to remember. Since then, I’ve had a passion to fly that has never ceased. My degree is in Business & Commercial Aviation and I have been teaching since 2002. I have the most exciting job in that I get to see others realize their dreams by becoming professional pilots.

Cecil Tune

ATP, Gold Seal CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI

Chief Ground Instructor

My background includes naval aviation, the assistant pastorate, and many years as a faculty member at Bob Jones University. The Naval Academy provided excellent flight training, and taking off from aircraft carriers in the F-8 Crusader was a special challenge. After the Navy and then the pastorate, I began one of my chief joys—helping others succeed in their aviation careers.

Thomas Burke

DPE, ATP, CFII, MEI, AGI, A&P

Designated Pilot Examiner

I am thankful for a rewarding career in aviation which has spanned 50 years and included more than 20,000 hours in the air. My earlier years in aviation included charter, corporate, and flight instruction. Over the last 25 years, in addition to flight instructing and missionary pilot evaluations, I have served as a Designated Pilot Examiner for the FAA. It is a privilege to work alongside the USAeroFlight team as they work to continue and maintain the vision that was Bob Jones University’s for so many years through quality flight.

Seth Severson

Gold Seal CFII, AGI, IGI, A&P

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

Growing up on a small farm in the middle of Illinois, one of my favorite things to do was to watch the crop dusters zipping in and out of the little country airport just down the road. As I grew older, that love of watching planes blossomed into a love of flying planes and an enthusiasm for all things related to aviation. I am excited to continue learning more about flying as I get to share my passion with others as a teacher.

Andrew Godfrey

CFII, AGI, IGI

Flight Instructor, Primary

When I was in High School, a retired Air Force veteran and a neighbor friend flew the Cessna 340 for his son’s construction company. One 5:00 AM morning after his enthusiastic invitation, I found myself sitting in the right seat accelerating into the darkness toward the end of a Chattanooga runway … I’ve loved aviation ever since! While attending Virginia Tech, I learned to pilot the single-engine variety flying over the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Family took priority for a 20-year hiatus until the friendly staff at USAF welcomed me back into the sky in 2017. Now, as a CFI, I’m allowed to pass along the thrill of that first flight to others and help them achieve their aviation goals.

Sam Chase

CFII

Flight Instructor, Primary

From the time I was a child, largely influenced by my father’s career, my life has revolved around aviation. As a kid, I loved reading aircraft encyclopedias, and upon graduating from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s in Aviation Logistics, I began my flight training. I completed my private certificate at an airport near my university, but it wasn’t until I moved to South Carolina and met those here at USAeroFlight that I realized what flight training could be. I’ve gotten all of my subsequent ratings with USAF and am honored to join their ranks as a CFI. I’m excited to share the joys of flying with others as I help them achieve their aspirations.

Jerry Dunwoody

CFII, MEI, IGI

Flight Instructor, Primary

Growing up with a dad who is an airline pilot and a grandpa who was an airline pilot, I have always been interested in aviation. Throughout my childhood, my family and I visited airports, museums, and airshows all across the country which further sparked my interest. I knew I wanted to pursue aviation as a career after touring the Boeing Everett Factory in Washington on a family vacation back in 2013. I have received all of my flight training, from my private pilot to CFII, through USAeroFlight. I am very excited to share my love for aviation with others as an instructor.

Isaac Maralit

CFII, MEI, IGI

Flight Instructor, Primary

5 years ago, my aviation journey began. October 15, 2018, marks an important day in my life. On that day, I was very blessed to have friends from church that were willing to take me up for my very first flight. From the moment that engine started I was hooked. Eagerly searching for a flight school, I found the perfect one on the Southeast ramp at KGMU. I have attained all of my training from the incredible instructors here at USAeroFlight and I am honored to have joined the long line of CFI’s that have trained pilots through this school. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with the ability to fly and it is so amazing to have the opportunity to view His creation from the sky! I look forward to the years ahead helping others reach their dream of flight!

Nate Hightower

CFII, AGI, IGI

Flight Instructor, Primary

My interest in aviation started when my mom would take me to visit my grandpa at the GMU control tower. Watching the airplanes land and takeoff really sparked a fire in me and ever since those early years I've wanted to be a pilot. Going from just watching the airplanes takeoff to being the one taking off has been amazing and I can't wait to continue to expand my horizons as an instructor.

James Austin

CFII

Flight Instructor, Primary

Growing up, I always had an interest in aviation. As an eight-year-old, I would watch animated dogfight videos in the back of my mom’s van. At the age of ten, my family and I visited the Smithsonian and the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, where I saw the Concorde and the B-29 "Enola Gay." Ever since that experience, I've had the "aviation bug." However, I never considered aviation as a career until my senior year of high school. I have completed all my training at USAeroFlight, from private pilot to CFII, and I am excited to start helping others cultivate their love for aviation.

Matt Tezza

CFII

Flight Instructor, Primary

My aviation journey began in early 2020 when my wife bought a discovery flight for me. That discovery flight was one of the most fun things I had ever done, and it was only 30 minutes! After a couple of years to finally decide, “Hey, let’s give this pilot thing a shot,” I started from scratch in 2022 at USAeroFlight where I have worked my way from nothing up to a CFII. This school and all of the instructors have been a real blessing to me and have helped to grow my love of aviation. I can’t wait to help pass that along to the next generation of pilots!

Anthony Wayland

CFI

Flight Instructor, Primary

My interest in aviation started at the age of 12 as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. From the time I took my first orientation flight and got to take the controls, I was hooked. After later soloing for the first time in CAP, working as a line service technician at the Clemson Airport (CEU) for 5 years, joining the SC Air National Guard as an Air Traffic Controller and Airfield Management Specialist, and obtaining all my pilot certifications, it is safe to say aviation has become a large part of my life. The folks at USAeroFlight have been outstanding in helping me grow in that part of my life even further, and I am thrilled to work with them as a CFI to now pass my passion and experience on to others. From new students taking a discovery flight and getting their first taste of aviation, to working in the technically involved instrument and commercial certificates, I hope to provide many people with the great feelings and satisfaction I first felt as a 12-year-old getting to control an airplane for the first time and countless times since then!

Jo Mercier

CFII

Flight Instructor, Primary

I grew up in the south of France, in the working port city of Marseille. My career began in boat mechanics and customer relations. In January of 2019 I moved to the US to study English and here I met my wife, a flight attendant for American Airlines. I booked my discovery flight in early 2020 and never looked back. Flying is a dream I never thought would become a reality for me; a career path blessed by God's guidance. I'm especially passionate about helping aspiring pilots realize their aviation dreams. The sky is the limit!

Randy Kimlin

CFII, MEI, AGI

Flight Instructor, Multiengine Specialist

I still remember the day when, at Toronto Airways in Buttonville, Ontario, I soloed a Cessna 172! The thrill and passion of aviation, of flying and of teaching, seems just as strong now as it did back then. Even better is the excitement of helping others pursue their dream for flying, no matter how young or how old they may be. USAeroFlight is an excellent teaching facility because it brings the highest levels of technical skills along with a thorough sense of why it matters. That is an important ingredient in making it fun! I do need to warn you, flying can be addictive!

Andrew Mabe

A&P

Director of Maintenance

As both a pilot and an aircraft mechanic, my passion is sharing a love for aviation with others while upholding the highest standards of excellence and safety in every aspect of flight and maintenance. In the 15 years since obtaining my certificates, I’ve been privileged to work in a variety of settings. From contracting for the military in Alabama to working on float planes in Alaska, teaching as an Associate Professor at a Part 147 school in North Carolina to maintaining helicopters in Hawaii, and many other jobs and adventures in between, each experience has helped me to grow professionally and personally. I am excited to be a part of USAeroFlight, as one of my greatest joys is seeing students of all ages grow in their love of aviation and learn to take pride in their work, whether in the sky or on the ground.