Our Pilots

Darien Echeverry, a Los Angeles native, discovered his passion for aviation at just 14 years old, teaching himself to fly by watching YouTube videos and utilizing flight simulator. Darien is a Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot and CFII with extensive expertise and experience in ferrying and instructing across all single-engine aircraft, including transatlantic ferry flights. Specializing in Cirrus aircraft with over 1000 hours flying and teaching in Cirrus—having flown every SR series generation from 1 to 7—he also has significant experience with the PA-46 and TBM models. Beyond instruction, Darien thrives on the more demanding aspects of flying, including aerobatics and close formation flying, continually pushing the limits of precision and skill in the air.

• Certified Flight Instructor / Instrument Instructor

• Commercial Multi-Engine

• Complex, High Performance, High Altitude

• US Passport

• FAA First Class Medical

• No Accidents, Incidents, Violations

• Cirrus Trained

• FCC Radio License

• Tailwheel

• UPRT/Aerobatics

Josh is a native Minnesotan, acquiring his Bachelors of Science in Aviation degree at the University of North Dakota, and his Masters of Science degree from Embry-Riddle. Josh is a Commercial Multi-engine pilot and CFII, currently using his skills as a Department of Defense Contractor. With thousands of hours in turbine aircraft, Josh is no stranger to high performance and complex operations. When he is stateside, Josh enjoys learning on any and every kind of aircraft that he can get his hands on and challenging himself to continuously grow as an aviator.

• Certified Flight Instructor / Instrument Instructor

• Commercial Multi-Engine

• Tailwheel

• Complex, High Performance

• Cirrus Trained

• FAA First Class Medical

• No Accidents, Incidents, or Violations

• US Passport

Joseph is a Gold Seal CFII and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) with over 6,000 flight hours, including 1,700 jet hours and 3,500 hours of instruction. Based in Los Angeles, he flies the Boeing 737 for a major airline and teaches in Cirrus aircraft at Van Nuys Airport on his days off. His aviation journey began at age four, inspired by a flight on Republic Airlines. After a career detour in finance and law, he discovered his passion for flight training in 2014, quickly advancing through ratings and becoming a flight school general manager. He later flew CRJ 200s and 700s for SkyWest before moving on to the majors. With extensive experience training pilots, including Cirrus Embark clients and transition course students, he has signed off 39 successful certificates and ratings. Joseph also co-owns a 2009 Cirrus SR-20. His greatest joy comes from helping students master smooth landings and gain confidence in instrument flying.

• Certified Flight Instructor / Instrument Instructor / Goldseal

• Multi-Engine Instructor

• Airline Transport Pilot

• Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP)

• Tailwheel

• First Class Medical

• No Accidents, Incidents, or Violations

• FCC Radio License