Instructor Category: Grade 3

Born and raised in New Zealand, David grew up with a natural fascination for aviation. Family trips overseas left a strong impression on him — he admired the pilots, loved being around aircraft, and knew early in high school that he wanted to pursue a career in the skies. After graduating, he completed a Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot), earning his Commercial Pilot Licence and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.

Driven to take the next step in his career, David moved to Melbourne to pursue flight instructing. He takes great pride in sharing his skills and knowledge with the next generation of pilots, and finds it especially rewarding to see his students achieve their own milestones. Teaching has also allowed him to continue growing as a pilot, deepening both his experience and confidence.

One of David’s proudest achievements is completing his Flight Instructor Rating and beginning his professional journey as an instructor. Looking ahead, he hopes to join an airline and travel the world — revisiting the same excitement he felt as a child and creating new memories along the way.

Benjamin’s fascination with aviation began in childhood on the Mornington Peninsula, where weekends were often spent at local air shows such as Tyabb and Avalon. Inspired by Top Gun and the dream of becoming a fighter pilot, he joined the Air Force Cadets at 13 — an experience that gave him his first taste of flying from inside the cockpit.

After finishing high school, Benjamin took a gap year to travel through Europe before returning home to begin his pilot training. He moved to Queensland to work toward his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), later completing his Flight Instructor Rating with Learn To Fly in 2025.

Becoming an instructor has strengthened not only his flying skills but his understanding of the deeper “why” behind aviation. Teaching students has given him a new appreciation for the craft and the discipline required to excel.

Looking ahead, Benjamin aims to progress toward an airline career. He plans to build his experience as a flight instructor before moving into a multi-crew environment, where he hopes to bring his strong safety mindset and passion for aviation into the airline cockpit.

Orville’s passion for aviation took root in his hometown of Hong Kong, where he was first introduced to the skies through his involvement as an Air Scout. This early exposure sparked a fascination that grew stronger when he moved abroad to the United Kingdom  for studies starting in Year 11. The regular travels back and forth to Hong Kong during term breaks allowed him to immerse himself further in the world of aviation, reinforcing his lifelong aspiration to become an airline pilot.

He pursued his dream by completing a Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he undertook most of his flight training at Bankstown Airport, achieving his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with multi-engine class rating (MEA) and instrument rating (MEIR). On top of that, he completed all seven ATPL theory subjects as part of the university syllabus. Opting to complete his Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) course at Learn to Fly Melbourne felt like a perfect fit, thanks to LTF’s strong Hong Kong connections and the added support of his partner, who comes from Melbourne and a long term supporter for his pilot journey.

As an instructor, Orville is motivated by a deep desire to guide others who share his aviation aspirations toward achieving their goals. He derives great satisfaction from seeing his students master new skills after a lesson, much like the rewarding moments he experienced as a swimming coach, watching learners confidently adopt new strokes.

In the short term, Orville aims to progress to become a grade 1 instructor. Looking further ahead, his ultimate career goal is to fly for Qantas.

Zacha’s passion for aviation began at the age of four, when his mother — who was working in the airlines — brought him into a cockpit for the very first time. That moment sparked a lifelong fascination with flying, one that has guided his path ever since. With aviation running in the family, it’s no surprise that instructing would eventually become a natural fit; his mother also served as an instructor during her airline career.

Earning his Commercial Pilot Licence was a defining milestone for Zacha. The journey came with plenty of challenges, but his perseverance, dedication, and hard work carried him through. Now as a Flight Instructor, he finds immense joy in sharing that knowledge with his students and witnessing their own achievements — especially those big milestone moments that light up their faces.

Looking ahead, Zacha aspires to progress through his instructor qualifications to Grade 2 and eventually Grade 1, with a long-term goal of joining an airline and flying the Airbus A350. For him, teaching isn’t just a job; it’s a way to give back to the next generation of pilots while continuing the legacy that first inspired him.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Carlos discovered his passion for aviation early — after a memorable childhood flight on a Boeing 747 where he wandered into First Class and was invited into the cockpit. From that moment, he knew exactly where he wanted his future to be.

He began his flight training in Auckland in 2020 during the height of COVID, completing his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) in 2024. After relocating to Melbourne with his family, Carlos joined Learn To Fly to complete his Flight Instructor Rating (FIR), now proudly helping the next generation of pilots begin their own journeys.

Carlos loves guiding students toward those “lightbulb moments” when a concept finally clicks, and he hopes to take his passion for teaching into an airline career in the future. Outside of flying, you’ll often find him at the bouldering gym tackling new climbing problems and enjoying the challenge.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Alexander has been surrounded by aviation from an early age — with both parents working in the industry, it was only natural that he’d be inspired to follow a similar path. Their experience and guidance played a key role in shaping his understanding of aviation and his pursuit of a professional flying career.

Alexander completed all of his pilot training in Melbourne, including earning his Flight Instructor Rating at Moorabbin Airport. His training provided a strong foundation in flight instruction, operational safety, and industry standards. In addition to his flying qualifications, he gained valuable hands-on experience in ground operations while working for an airfreight charter company at Moorabbin. This logistics-focused role involved managing freight coordination, load planning, and supporting efficient ground operations.

With a long-term goal of flying long-haul for a major airline, Alexander remains dedicated to continuous professional growth and upholding the highest standards in aviation.

Outside of flying, Alexander enjoys travelling, staying active, and spending time with friends. He’s happiest in warm weather — especially when it means a day spent relaxing at the beach.

Shaped by his upbringing in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, Tim developed a fascination with aviation from a young age, captivated by the sights and sounds of aircraft soaring over the city’s skyline. 

Currently serving as the welcoming face at Learn To Fly, Tim is dedicated to providing exceptional service to students and visitors alike, he ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone walking through the doors of LTF. Passionate about aviation and eager to contribute to the school’s mission, Tim looks forward to supporting aspiring pilots in achieving their dreams.

Holding a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (MECIR), in the future, he aspires to join Cathay Pacific as a pilot, combining his expertise with his passion for aviation.