Welcome to JAXAERO

Meet Our Instructors

Get to know the highly competent and proficient instructors at JAXAERO. With extensive experience and a passion for aviation, our instructors are committed to providing excellent flight training in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Ben Gabriel

As an Atlanta based airline pilot, Ben Gabriel brings the latest in industry experience and training best practices to JAXAERO. With over 6,000 hours and 20 years of flying piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft, Ben has trained pilots in everything from 2-seat single-engine aircraft to airliners. He led the training department of one of the nation’s largest flight schools, helped develop multiple accredited university aviation programs, served as an adjunct professor, and is a recipient of the distinguished National Air Transportation Association’s Excellence in Pilot Training award. Ben is an avid fisherman and lives in Jacksonville with his wife Kim and their two sons.

John Amico

John is a critical part of our safety, standardization, and leadership team. John began flying nearly 2 decades ago and has put his CFI, CFII and MEI to good use with over 5,000 hours of instruction given to date and over 100 first-time solos. He was a Training Center Manager and Flight Standards Manager for the nation’s largest flight school for over a decade and has developed and tested training materials and procedures on a large scale. When John isn’t instructing, he loves to cook for his wife Tina and their 4 children and enjoys spending time with his extended family in Buffalo, NY

Dr. Rob Zeglin

Originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area (Go Steelers!), Dr. Rob Zeglin “Dr. Z” has spent over 10 years in the mental health field, as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and administrator. He is also a tenured professor at a local university, with more than seven years of teaching experience. He has recently discovered his passion for aviation and earned his CFI and CFII with JAXAERO. He enjoys sharing this passion for flying with others through his individualized scenario-based training and instruction, prioritizing aeronautical decision-making and crew resource management. Rob’s favorite airport is KORL or any with an FBO that waives the ramp fee! In addition to providing expert ground instruction, Dr. Z will lead curriculum developments that will enhance safety – particularly with emergency scenarios – improve training efficiency and more fully leverage the use of high-fidelity simulation.

Robert Lee

Robert is a CFI, CFII and MEI who is also in the Florida Air National Guard with over 20 years of service as an F-15 maintainer and quality assurance inspector. Robert loves flying and enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion of aviation with others. He is also working towards his long-term goal of earning his ATP certificate. Robert resides in Fleming Island with his wife and three children. When he is not flying or working around aircraft, Robert enjoys spending time with his family and being out on the water.

Idris Algabyali

Idris Algabyali is a CFI, CFII. His aviation journey began after high school when he pursued flight training in Schenectady, New York. In 2021, he earned his private pilot’s certificate and soon relocated to Jacksonville to complete his flight training. Idris received his CFI and CFII with JAXAERO and immediately after was invited to join our elite team of instructors. Idris’s dream job has always been to be a pilot. He finds immense joy instructing and helping students achieve their goals, all while working towards his own long-term goal of earning his ATP certificate.

Dara Him

Dara Him is a CFI with an A&P. While in high school, he volunteered every Friday at a Cirrus repair station taking out trash, vacuuming and washing Cirrus and Diamond aircraft just to get close to airplanes. After high school, he even designed and built a homebuilt glider. After becoming an A&P, Dara worked in sheet metal rebuilding DC-3s and C-47s for 5 years before learning to fly. Dara is excited to be a career instructor here at JAXAERO. In his spare time, he enjoys food, naps and spending time with his growing family.

Jonathan Rutledge

A first-generation pilot from Jacksonville, FL, Jonathan Rutledge completed all his training (PPL thru CFII) here at JAXAERO. As a CFII, Jon looks to give back to an industry that has already given him so much. Jon’s end goal is to fly for Delta, but he would issue a retraction if other airlines were to read this. Also our Admissions Specialist, Jon has an enthusiasm and genuine interest in students that allows him to create authentic relationships with everyone he encounters. When he is not flying or instructing, Jon, a Jaguars season ticket holder, enjoys attending games and tailgating with his friends (The Boys), as well as traveling with his girlfriend Kelsey.

Ben Barwick

Ben Barwick is a CFI, CFII. He was born and raised in Thomasville, Georgia and knew at 10 years old, after experiencing his first commercial flight, that he wanted to be a pilot. Ben moved to Jacksonville to pursue a career in aviation and found a home at JAXAERO as a student and now as our newest flight instructor. He cherishes his family, friends, faith, and flying. Ben is excited to be a part of the JAXAERO team and help others pursue their passion and potential in aviation.

Tyler Caswell

Tyler Caswell is excited to be instructing here at JAXAERO, bringing a blend of hands-on experience and instructional expertise to his role. Although his aviation journey began in the early 2000s, Tyler spent many years honing his craftsmanship in residential building before fully committing to aviation. Originally from the New England area, Tyler relocated to Florida in 2022 to fully pursue his passion for aviation and transition to a new career. After receiving his Commercial rating, Tyler continued to advance his qualifications at JAXAERO, completing his CFI and CFII ratings. When he's not flying, Tyler enjoys exploring the beach and the mountains with his girlfriend and their three dogs. He takes great pride in guiding his students toward success and finds satisfaction in the moment when their skills and confidence take off.

Joey Ostroski

Joey Ostroski is a CFI, CFII from Spring Hill, Florida, who began his aviation journey in 2020 and earned both his certified flight instructor ratings with JAXAERO. As an experienced instructor, Joey enjoys every aspect of flying and is dedicated to share this passion with his students as he helps them achieve their aviation goals. His long-term ambition is to fly for the airlines or a cargo carrier, but when he is not instructing or flying, Joey enjoys kayaking along Florida’s rivers and fishing with friends.

Charlie Ashton

Originally from Jacksonville, Charlie Ashton discovered his passion for aviation in the fall of 2023 after a discovery flight -an experience that solidified his desire to become an airline pilot. He earned his Private Pilot License in the summer of 2024 and went on to complete his Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII training at JAXAERO.

Charlie brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine love for flying to his instruction. In his free time, Charlie enjoys surfing, golfing, and—of course—more flying.

Nico Bowers

Nico began his career in healthcare but discovered his true passion -aviation- after a discovery flight several years ago. From that moment on, he knew flying was the path he wanted to pursue. After completing his training with JAXAERO, Nico, now a CFI, CFII enjoys sharing his passion for aviation with others through flight instruction. Helping students reach their goals and inspiring others to pursue aviation are some of the most rewarding aspects of his work. Outside of flying, Nico is a member of the St. Augustine Flight Club and loves weekend adventures with his girlfriend and their dog, exploring new destinations by air.

Madison Lary

Madison Lary, a CFI, CFII, Commercial ME, and MEI, has been flying since 2018, but her passion for aviation began at just eight years old. Introduced to flying by her father, a former military pilot and current Southwest Airlines captain, Madison developed a love for aviation early on. After earning a degree in Business Management, she completed her flight training and certifications, and her passion continues in her dedication to inspire and grow the next generation of aviators. When she is not flying and training, Madison enjoys spending time with her husband, jet skiing and fishing.

Matthew Fox

Matthew Fox is a Certified Flight Instructor holding Commercial Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. After earning his Private Pilot Certificate in 2020, Matthew attended Florida State University and joined the Florida Air National Guard, where he continues to serve part-time as a weather forecaster. He enjoys watching his students progress and succeed in their training and takes pride in helping future aviators achieve their goals. His long-term ambition is to fly for the airlines, following in the footsteps of both his parents. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys working out, surfing, and watching Jacksonville Jaguars games.