Jim Kwasek

Jim is the Owner and Chief Pilot at Chicago Executive Flight School. An active member of the flying community at Chicago Executive Airport, Jim was president of PAPA at Chicago Executive for four years. PAPA is the largest pilot organization at Chicago Executive Airport (formerly Palwaukee Municipal Airport). Jim started flying at Palwaukee in 1988, then went on to Southern Illinois University for his degrees in Aviation Management and Aviation Flight. When not flying, Jim enjoys teaching Tae Kwon Do.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, Flight Engineer Turbojet

Dave Klopfleisch

Dave started flying in 1966 at Roselle Airport, now called Schaumburg Airport in Schaumburg, IL. He served in the Navy 1968-1974 with his last duty station at Miramar, CA. In the Navy, Dave flew the TA-4, single engine attack jet. Afterwards, Dave worked for various corporate flight departments and served as the Safety Officer at the NAS Glenview Flying Club from 1993-1996.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI and MEI, ATP, Part 121 Flight Dispatcher, current Safety Officer at Chicago Executive Flight School

Matthew O'Reily

Aviation has always been a passion for Matt. At a young age he enjoyed watching planes fly into and out of O’Hare and flying remote control planes in the field near his house. Matt began his flight training here at Chicago Executive Airport when he was only 16 years old and earned his Private Pilot License in 2018. Matt attends Lewis University in Romeoville, IL where he is continuing his education to earn a Masters Degree in Aviation. Flight Qualifications include: CFI

Dan Corcoran

Dan was introduced to flying back in high school where he took an introductory flight through a summer honors program. He then decided to pursue a future as a pilot and went to Western Michigan University to earn his certificates and ratings. He earned his private pilot license in 2018. At Western Michigan, Dan earned two bachelor’s degrees: Aviation Flight Science and Aviation Management. He is passionate about teaching new pilots and watching them progress into future professional pilots. Flight qualifications include: CFI

Kathryn Crihfield

Katy started flying at the age of 15, eventually earning her pilot's license as a senior in high school. She graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with degrees in English and General Engineering. She flew CH-46D helicopters for the Navy and was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. After leaving the Navy she taught high school Physics for 16 years in the Chicago area. Since becoming a CFI in the summer of 2022 she has instructed part-time at Chicago Executive Flight School. Katy continues to fly helicopters and is working on her Helicopter Instructor certification. She mentors high school students in all things aviation and loves sharing her passion for flying.

Javier Martinez

Javier was introduced to aviation at a very young age. His father worked at Ohare for 22 years and was the one to spark his passion in the field. Javier decided to pursue his career in aviation by attending the University of Dubuque where he received a Bachelors in Flight operations. Being a native of Chicago he is thrilled to be working at Chicago Executive Flight School helping those students that are just as passionate in the field as he was when he started. Flight qualifications include: CFI.

Dan Fox

Dan comes to us Orange County, CA, where he’s been flying since 2021. He has trained extensively on the G1000 and has flown everywhere from SNA Francisco to Sedona and the Grand Canyon (and everywhere in between)! His hobbies outside of aviation include surfing, hiking, snowboarding, and trail running. Flight qualifications include: CFI

Christian Alvarado

Christian started flying in 2016 in Miami, FL. He has always been passionate about aviation since he was very little. Christian has been a CFI for the past 5 years with more than 2,000 dual given hours in 3 different states: FL, MD and IL. He is currently an airline pilot and a part-time flight instructor here at Chicago Executive Flight School. (Spanish-English). Flight qualifications include: CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Gold Seal CFI and FAA Safety Representative.

Ryan Horvath

Ryan started his flying career in January of 2018 at Western Michigan University where he earned his certificates, ratings and a bachelor's degree in Aviation Flight Science with a minor in Spanish. Ryan completed his Certified Flight Instructor rating here at Chicago Executive Flight School and is passionate about helping his students achieve their aviation goals. Flight qualifications include: CFI, AGI

Jake Ishler

Jake was introduced to flying at 17 when he took his introductory flight at Lewis University, and had no doubt he wanted to be a pilot from that point on. His uncle flies the Boeing 787 Dreamliner out of O'hare and is his inspiration for pursuing his ratings. He has completed two years of college at Lewis University and plans on finishing a bachelors degree and eventually a masters degree in aviation through an online program. Flight qualifications include: CFI, CFII, AGI, and IGI.

Adrian Rogers

Adrian started flying in Newton KS in 2017 at Hesston College where he also got his Associate degree in aviation. His CFI career started in 2022 in Austin TX where he grew to love flight instructing and teaching ground school. He is currently finishing his bachelors degree in aviation and enrolled to work on his masters degree next year at Liberty University. He plans on getting his doctorate degree in aviation from there as well. His passion for aviation started while watching the local Air Force pilots fly around his home town. His flight qualifications include CFI, CFII, and MEI