Senior Instructors
Jim Kwasek
Owner, Chief Pilot
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
Safety Officer
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
Scott Kuhfeldt
VP of Operations
Scott's background includes a BS in Management and a Minor in Human Resources from Northern Illinois University. With over 30 years of leadership in the Hospitality/Entertainment industry, his expertise lies in Operations Management. Scott's creative, energetic, and hands-on approach played a key role in employee development, sales growth, and operational streamlining across various large companies. Before joining the Chicago Executive Flight School, Scott served as a Project Manager at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, overseeing the launch of four distinct restaurants. His contributions included enhancing restaurant operations, implementing training plans, and formulating strategic initiatives to maximize profitability in the F&B Department. Managing a diverse team of 200 plus employees showcased his exceptional leadership skills, earning him a distinguished reputation in the industry. Scott is also a 7th degree Black Belt in TaeKwon-Do. In his leisure time, Scott values family moments and also shares his passion for TaeKwon-Do by teaching it to his daughter.
Instructors
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.
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
Zachary Nystrom
Zach started flying at the age of 9 and at the age of 14 he started flying gliders eventually soloing. A former Civil Air Patrol Cadet, Zach was one of few selected nationwide to take part in Johnson Flight Academy, eventually graduating from the program by soloing a Cessna 172. Being accepted into American Airlines Cadet Academy, Zach continued his flight training in Fort Lauderdale. Flight qualifications include: CFI, CFII
Jakob Kjeldbjerg
Jakob started his own flight journey back in 2018 in Quincy, Illinois. After attending the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL, he now holds his B.S. in Aeronautical Science with Flight. He’s excited to be teaching back in his native northern Chicago suburbs, and his favorite part about teaching is the fulfillment that comes from helping another achieve their goals. Flight qualifications include: CFI