Our Instructors: Teachers and Mentors

At AirQuest Aviation, the instructors that we employ have an extensive aviation background and all exhibit strong interpersonal skills. Our instructors are teachers and mentors, helping you through the process of maturing into a well trained pilot.

What makes a good instructor? A good instructor is not necessarily one who has the most flight time, nor is the oldest instructor the most experienced. When you look for an instructor, the most important thing is that he or she make you feel comfortable in the aircraft and that you trust them. We are sure that one of our instructors will fit your needs and will give you the best quality instruction you can find anywhere in the greater western Pennsylvania area.

Juriaan de Blok (CFI, CFII, CSIP)

For the short time that I have been working here at AirQuest, I have felt right at home. The school provides an excellent learning environment with all the up-to-date equipment you could wish for. As for myself I did all of my training in Venice, Florida and I also had my first job as a flight instructor there. After that I flew as a First Officer for a charter operation in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now I'm here to take all the things that I've learned so far and give them to you to help you on your way of the great adventure called: aviation.

Casey Lowicki (CFI, MEI)

"I started flying when I was 15 years old. I joined the Air Force when I was 17, and flew as a crew member on B29's. I became a Private Pilot in 1960, Commercial Pilot in 1965, Instrument in 1968, Multi-engine in 1969, CFI in 1972, and MEI in 2007. As you can see, as a pilot you never stop learning!"

Any questions you know who to call.

Eric McDonough (CFI)

Bio coming soon

Chris Shannon (CFI, CFII, CSIP)

It took me seven long years to get where I am at but I can honestly say that every hour that I have spent working my way towards becoming a certified flight instructor has been exciting and worthwhile. I have trained a vast variety of people here at AirQuest ranging from a great grandmother to the typical teenager and every student has always managed to teach me something new. As they say a good pilot is always learning and I have experienced exactly that here at AirQuest. So whether or not you are a new student or an experienced pilot who needs an instrument proficiency check than I will be more than happy to oblige. Since I am also an avid Scottish Highland Games participant I can also teach you a thing or two about throwing stones or tossing a caber!

Dan Welms (CFI, CFII, CSIP)

I began my flying career when I was 13 in Franklin, PA. I am not sure what made me want to start taking lessons, but I have enjoyed every second of it. Since my first lesson, I have finished my CFI training in Cleveland, Ohio. I now train primary students here at AirQuest Aviation. If you have ever wanted to fly I encourage you to take a discovery flight and allow us to show you the enjoyment of flying.