Instructors

Robert Illian

Born in Glendale, CA, Robert Illian grew up and graduated in La Canada. He received his private pilot certificate while still in high school and has been flying ever since. Robert earned his...

Robert Illian

Born in Glendale, CA, Robert Illian grew up and graduated in La Canada. He received his private pilot certificate while still in high school and has been flying ever since. Robert earned his bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science in 2003 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona and became a flight instructor at Vista Air Inc. that same year.

Robert has over 5,000 flight hours under his belt and is qualified to train students to get their private pilot, instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings and Garmin 1000 transition courses. He is a CFII/AGII with a Gold Seal, a seal of approval the FAA gives to exceptional instructors.

In Robert's spare time, he plays ice hockey and is part of an adult league with one of Vista Air Inc.'s longtime customers. He also enjoys trips to Mexico with his ATV and sand rail, spending time with his family, deep-sea fishing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. Robert is also a certified EMT for the State of California and nationally with NREMT.

Availability:
Saturday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (Other Times by Appointment)

Phone:818-720-0539

Frank Bagheri

My Journey to become a pilot started a long time ago with the original versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Every time they issued an upgrade, I bought it and installed it. The software got better and better and resembled real flying more and more, with VORs, real airports, real runways and even ATC.

Way back in 1998, on one of the later editions, I don’t remember which, when they still provided you with a manual, I noticed a coupon on the back of the book for a demo ride in a Cessna for only $35. I filled out the coupon and mailed it in. After a few days, maybe weeks, I got three calls from instructors in El Monte, Van Nuys and Vista Air at Whiteman. I never even knew that there were real airports in those cities. All we knew was that you flew out of LAX or maybe Burbank.

I chose to meet with the Vista Air instructor, Phil Manduley since it was the closest airport to my house. I remember waking up very excited that morning, but I must confess that in I was also a bit fearful of the unknown.

The demo was better than I had imagined. Mr. Manduley, told me that he would take off and take us to the practice area and I could fly the plane if I wanted to and then we would come back, and he would land the plane. I was surprised at how small the cabin was. Both he and I were big guys. After letting me control the plane for a while in the practice area, he asked me if I were sure that I had never flown a plane before … I told him that I had never flown a REAL plane, but I had flown planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator. That was over 20 years ago, September 26, 1998. I signed up for lessons and bought the Cessna Private pilot package. Flight time 0.7 Hours. I took my first official lesson two days later.

I love to fly to Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Big Bear, Catalina, and many other great airports.

I recently flew our 182 to Oshkosh WI to attend the 2021 AirVenture. I hope that I can help you realize your dreams of becoming a pilot.

Phone:818-925-6543

Leo Damian

Leo Damian fell in love with flying in 1981 and became a flight instructor a few years later. He loves to teach and is committed to making his students' experience in the plane fun and...

Leo Damian

Leo Damian fell in love with flying in 1981 and became a flight instructor a few years later. He loves to teach and is committed to making his students' experience in the plane fun and rewarding.

Availability:
Monday–Sunday: By Appointment

Phone:310-779-1228

Scott Farr

Scott Farr, CFII, AGI, IGI, and Gold Seal Flight Instructor has been flying with Vista since 2010 and instructing since 2018. Scott specializes in introducing new flight students to...

Scott Farr

Scott Farr, CFII, AGI, IGI, and Gold Seal Flight Instructor, has been flying with Vista since 2010 and instructing since 2018. Scott specializes in introducing new flight students to the world of aviation and focuses on flight instruction for Private, Instrument, and Commercial certificates as well as Complex and High-Performance endorsements. In addition, Scott is available for Flight Reviews, checkouts, G1000 transition training, and instruction in Vista’s Redbird AATD. Scott loves the art of flying and constantly improving airmanship and Aeronautical Decision Making through focused practice and scenario-based flight instruction. Scott is available weeknights after 5:00 p.m. and anytime Saturdays and Sundays.

Phone:323-351-4642

Charles E. Warnick

Commonly known as "Chuck," Charles E. Warnick is rated in ASEL, AMEL, CFI, CFII, and AGI. Chuck started flying in 1964 and has been flying out of Van Nuys and Whiteman since 1968....

Charles E. Warnick

Commonly known as "Chuck," Charles E. Warnick is rated in ASEL, AMEL, CFI, CFII, and AGI. Chuck started flying in 1964 and has been flying out of Van Nuys and Whiteman since 1968. He has been flying out of Vista Air Inc. since 1993 and instructing since 1995. Through the years, Chuck has accumulated over 7,000 hours of dual instruction.

Chuck specializes in the advanced ratings of instrument, commercial, and CFI. He is proficient in many makes and models, including Cessna, Mooney, Beechcraft, and Piper aircraft, as well as conventional gear (taildragger) and TAA (glass panel) aircraft. Chuck has also been instrumental in teaching many of the current instructors.

Availability:
Monday–Saturday: By Appointment

Phone:805-404-4119

Shawn Ghaayoor

When I was just seven years old, I watched a black and white World War II movie. It was about fighter pilots doing their missions which involved dogfights and performing unbelievable...

Shawn Ghaayoor

When I was just seven years old, I watched a black and white World War II movie. It was about fighter pilots doing their missions which involved dogfights and performing unbelievable maneuvers, that was the most amazing thing that I had ever seen, I wanted to do what they were doing and fell in love with flying and aviation in general.

Later on in life, I pursued my dream by attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, I received my degree in Aeronautical Science and my minor in Safety with a 4.0 GPA and made it to the National Dean's List. I completed my CFI-A training here at Vista Air Inc, in 2019 and I am currently working on my CFII rating.

Whether you are working towards getting your new pilot certificate, receiving a flight review, brushing up on your stick and rudder skills or wanting to improve your risk management and aeronautical decision making skills through Scenario Based Training (SBT), I would be more than happy to assist you achieve your desired goals.

Availability:
Friday-Wednesday: All Day
Thursday: Off

Phone:818-288-4052

Ethan Martin Del Campo

Ethan Martin Del Campo is Southern California born and raised. As a child, he dreamed of flying and during his senior year of high school, he took his first discovery flight out of Van Nuys airport and flew to Malibu. After that first flight, he was hooked and decided to pursue aviation at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. Ethan received his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle in May 2021. He Received his Private Pilot Certificate at Van Nuys airport, and his Instrument, Commercial and Multi-Engine at Embry Riddle Prescott. With experience in part 61 and 141 flight training, Ethan can cater the perfect format of flight training to each individual student.

As a CFI, Ethan strives to provide the greatest level of service to his students. As just having gone through all his training, he focuses on putting himself in his student’s shoes and being as supportive as possible throughout flight training. Having done all his primary training in G1000 Cessna 172’s, he is especially proficient in our glass cockpit Cessna 172S model.

Ethan loves to spend time with his family and volunteering in his community. He greatly enjoys music and listening to records, some of his favorites are the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, the Smiths, Dua Lipa and pretty much any 70s and 80s music. He also loves Star Wars. Please feel free to say hi and inquire about any flight training questions
/
Availability:
Sunday - Friday: By Appointment
/

Phone:661-444-4793

Bryan Levine

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley Bryan’s passion for aviation started at a young age playing golf in the Sepulveda basin underneath the traffic pattern of Van Nuys airport. His father would often remind him to stop staring...

Bryan Levine

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Bryan’s passion for aviation started at a young age playing golf in the Sepulveda basin underneath the traffic pattern of Van Nuys airport. His father would often remind him to stop staring at the planes and play golf. His Grandfather was a World War two paratrooper who wanted to be an Aviator but was color-blind. The two would visit military bases to go plane spotting. Bryan’s first flight in an airplane was in a Cessna 172 with a friend’s father during his first year of college. As they lifted off the ground in Santa Barbara, Bryan knew he needed to become a pilot one day.

Bryan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management and worked in varied areas of residential construction. He moved to Park City, Utah, in 2015 to serve as the Lead Draftsman for an architectural firm designing custom homes. He began taking flying lessons in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he obtained his private and instrument ratings. He then moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, to fly full-time and earn both his commercial and CFI ratings.

In addition to flying, Bryan enjoys many sports. He’s an accomplished golfer, hockey player, skier, as well as being an avid outdoor enthusiast. Bryan has now come full circle and returned to Los Angeles to share his knowledge and love for flying with other passionate students.

Phone:435-962-9014