Instructor Category: Grade 3

James’ passion for aviation began during his childhood in Harbin, China, where he developed a fascination with World War II-era piston aircraft. After moving to Australia at the age of six, that early interest continued to grow. Years later, James completed his first trial introductory flight with Learn to Fly Melbourne, where he also experienced his first time at the controls of an aeroplane. Today, he is proud to return to the organisation where his aviation journey began as a flight instructor.

James went on to complete a Bachelor of Aviation at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), obtaining his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), while also completing all seven ATPL theory subjects. He later returned to Learn to Fly Melbourne to continue his professional aviation journey, drawn in part by the school’s strong connections with the Hong Kong and Chinese aviation communities.

Alongside his aviation career, James is undertaking a Master of Management at the University of Melbourne. Outside the cockpit, he is a competitive shooter and works as a range officer — experiences that have further developed his discipline, precision, situational awareness and commitment to safety.

As an instructor, James is passionate about helping students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become safe and capable pilots. His own journey from LTF student to instructor gives him a unique perspective on the training experience and the progression from first flight to professional aviation.

James’ long-term goal is to become an international airline pilot, combining his passion for aviation with a global outlook and a commitment to continuous professional development.

Born and raised in Japan to a Japanese mother and Australian father, Tyler’s fascination with aviation began at an early age. Travelling to Australia each year, one of the highlights of those trips was the opportunity to visit the cockpit — experiences that sparked a lifelong passion for flying and a dream of becoming a pilot.

Tyler completed his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (MECIR) and Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) at Learn to Fly. Throughout his training, he benefited from the guidance and support of the instructors around him, and is now proud to return to LTF as a Grade 3 Flight Instructor, working alongside the same experienced team that helped shape his own aviation journey.

As an instructor, Tyler is focused on continuing to develop his skills and knowledge, with the goal of progressing through Grade 2 and eventually Grade 1. He hopes to broaden his teaching experience and help more students build the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to progress through their own flight training.

Looking further ahead, Tyler hopes to continue building his career in aviation with the long-term goal of joining the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

Outside of aviation, Tyler enjoys making — and eating — pizza, as well as spending time with friends.

Angela’s interest in aviation began early. As a child, she was drawn to the atmosphere of airports and the experience of flying — the movement, the precision, and the sense of possibility that aviation seemed to hold. Over time, that early fascination grew into a deeper commitment to the industry and a desire to build a career within it.

During her own flight training, Angela had the opportunity to learn from a number of highly skilled and experienced instructors. Watching them manage the aircraft with calm authority while guiding students through challenges left a lasting impression on her. Their example helped shape her own ambitions: to continue developing as a pilot while passing on knowledge and confidence to the next generation of aviators.

A particularly important turning point in Angela’s journey came when she first heard about another female pilot. Until then, the idea of becoming a pilot herself had not fully seemed available to her, in part because aviation has traditionally been such a male-dominated field. That shift in perspective proved significant. Having experienced it herself, Angela now places real value on encouraging others — particularly those who may not yet see aviation as an obvious path — and helping make the industry feel more accessible and achievable.

Angela brings a thoughtful and encouraging presence to flight training, shaped not only by her technical development as a pilot, but also by her understanding of how transformative the right support and guidance can be.

Outside of flying, she enjoys learning Japanese and spending quiet time at home or with friends and family.

Josh developed an interest in aviation from a very young age. By the time he was five years old, he already knew he wanted to become a pilot. Regular trips to airshows throughout his childhood only strengthened that ambition, turning an early fascination into a clear career path.

As a flight instructor, Josh finds the most rewarding part of the role is watching students progress. Taking someone on their very first flight, when they’re just beginning to understand the fundamentals, and then guiding them all the way through to their first solo is something he finds incredibly fulfilling. Seeing that growth and confidence develop is what motivates him every day.

Looking ahead, Josh aims to fly turbine aircraft, with interests ranging from turboprop operations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service to private jets or airline flying. He is passionate about continuing to build his skills and experience across a range of professional aviation environments.

One achievement he’s particularly proud of came during his CPL training, when he achieved a perfect score in the aerodynamics written exam—his most challenging subject—on his final attempt, a result that reflected persistence and discipline.

Outside of flying, Josh works in mechanical engineering, designing flight simulators used for pilot training. When he’s not around aircraft or simulators, he’s a self-confessed Formula 1 obsessive.

Thomas’s passion for aviation began early, growing up in a family with a German mother and Australian father. Annual trips to Germany were always a highlight, and visits to the cockpit during these flights sparked his fascination with flying. At 17, a trial introductory flight cemented his decision to pursue a career in aviation.

As a Flight Instructor, Thomas enjoys watching students progress and achieve their goals. He values the opportunity to constantly learn new things himself and share that knowledge with his students, helping them develop both skill and confidence in the air.

Thomas is proud of earning his Commercial Pilot Licence and Flight Instructor Rating, milestones achieved despite the challenges along the way. Looking ahead, he hopes to progress to Grade 2 and eventually Grade 1 instructor, with the ultimate goal of joining an airline and continuing his journey in aviation.

Juntong was born and raised in New Zealand, where his fascination with aviation began at a young age. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of aircraft, he quickly developed a deep passion for flying and a desire to understand the world of aviation more closely. This early inspiration set him on a clear path toward an aviation career.

He went on to complete his Bachelor of Aviation and obtain his Commercial Pilot Licence in New Zealand, building a strong foundation of knowledge and skill. Eager to continue growing, Juntong later joined Learn to Fly to pursue his Flight Instructor Rating—an opportunity that allowed him to share his passion with others.

As a flight instructor, Juntong finds genuine fulfilment in watching his students progress. He takes pride in guiding them through challenges, helping them gain confidence, and supporting them as they work toward their own dreams of becoming pilots—much like his instructors once did for him.

Looking ahead, Juntong is committed to continually improving his abilities as an instructor while expanding his experience across all aspects of aviation. His long-term goal is to fly for the airlines, and he views every lesson taught and every hour flown as a meaningful step toward that dream.

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.

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.

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.

Timothy’s passion for aviation began early, sparked by frequent childhood trips between Australia and Hong Kong to visit family. Those long-haul flights ignited a fascination with aircraft and aviation technology—an interest that eventually led him to complete a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace) before beginning his own flying journey at the end of university.

As a Flight Instructor, Timothy has had the opportunity to teach students from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds. He finds the most rewarding moments in seeing students progress to their first solo and achieve key milestones in their training. Being part of those achievements, and witnessing their confidence grow, is something he deeply values.

With experience supporting airline cadets and international students, Timothy ultimately aspires to fly for a major airline anywhere in the world. One of his proudest personal milestones remains his own first solo flight—an experience that solidified his commitment to pursuing aviation professionally.

Outside the cockpit, Timothy is passionate about all aspects of aviation, enjoys travelling, and keeps active through basketball and tennis. With a unique combination of engineering knowledge and operational flying experience, he brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to instructing and loves connecting with students from diverse backgrounds.