Our Instructors

Our Current Team

We pride ourselves on the experience of our Certified Flight Instructor team. With over 100 years of experience in aviation, more than 50,000 hours of flight time and thousands of hours on floats, our instructors provide some of the best teaching in the world. Float flying in Alaska is phenomenal and even more so when accompanied by a team like ours.

Not only does our team provide ASES instruction, but they also fly Part 135 scenic charters, tours and bush flying. As you learn from them, you’ll be learning the same techniques that they’ve used throughout their aviation careers to safely operate in Alaska and other parts of the world. Each of our instructors are chosen for their skills, experience, dedication, and teaching abilities.

Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

A knowledgeable, experienced Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) plays a critical role in aviation safety and pilot development. Beyond simply evaluating skills, our seasoned DPE ensures that applicants are held to the highest standards of aeronautical decision-making, technical proficiency, and regulatory compliance.

A qualified DPE is not just a gatekeeper—they're a mentor and advocate for excellence in aviation. A depth of experience allows them to fairly and accurately assess whether a pilot is truly prepared for the responsibilities of certification, while also offering valuable insights that reinforce safe, confident flying.

Read Brad's Bio...

Brad received his float rating more than 40 years ago, and with over five decades of aviation experience, he brings unparalleled depth and perspective to his role as a Designated Pilot Examiner. He holds an ATP certificate along with Certified Flight Instructor Certificates, and DPE credentials, and his career spans nearly every corner of aviation. From bush and floatplane flying in Alaska to decades of commercial airline operations, Brad has worn many hats—including Director of Flight Standards and Training, Vice President of Flight Operations, and President/COO of Part 121 air carriers. His roots in flight training run deep; he founded his first flight school early in his career and spent many years in safety leadership roles within the airline industry.

Today, Brad’s passion lies in mentoring the next generation of aviators—especially in the unique and demanding world of seaplanes and mountain flying. Known for his calm presence and most popular safety mantra, “Keep the shiny side up,” Brad is committed to fostering sound judgment, technical skill, and risk management in every pilot he evaluates. Aviation is more than a career for Brad—it’s a family legacy. Nearly every member of his family has earned their wings, a testament to the passion and dedication he’s passed on. With Brad, applicants not only meet the standard—they gain wisdom from a lifetime devoted to flying safely and skillfully.

When Brad is not in Moose Pass, Alaska flying floats he enjoys spending time in the outdoors and with his wife, kids and grandkids.

Certified Flight Instructors (CFI)

Each of our instructors come with their own strengths, to create a well rounded team to help you develop skills that will last a lifetime, and memorable experiences
that will be unforgettable.

Read Mike's Bio...

2025 will be Mike’s 8th summer in Moose Pass, Alaska, teaching floatplane flying in the PA-18 Super Cub and C-172 on floats and giving scenic tours in the C-206. Mike has been flying for more than 40 years and has flown approximately 20,000 hours in over 40 different types of military, airline and general aviation aircraft. He has a true passion for floatplane flying and instructing, enjoys teaching students of all backgrounds and experience levels and passing on his unique skills to them.

Mike started flying gliders at the age of 18 while attending college. He graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He flew the F-4 Phantom and F/A-18 Hornet during his 20 year military career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Mike also served in many leadership and training roles, including as an advanced Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Air Combat Tactics Instructor, Low Altitude Tactics Instructor, Instrument Examiner, Natops Examiner and Flight Leader during this time. He served on 2 aircraft carrier deployments in the Western Pacific on the USS Midway and a 9 month combat tour in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, flying 60 combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait in the F/A-18.

After his Marine Corps retirement, he began a 23 year career as an airline pilot with FedEx Express. He was privileged to fly as a Captain on the B-727, MD-10, MD-11 and the B-777 to destinations all over the world. During this time, his love of general aviation aircraft was reborn and as he got back into flying and instructing in floatplanes in Moose Pass and instructing tailwheel and aerobatic students in the PA-12, A-1 Husky, Super Decathlon, Pitts 2B and 2C airplanes.

When Mike is not in Moose Pass, Alaska, flying floats he flies the Citation X business jet, part time, out of Hayward, California.

Mike is very passionate about flying and instructing and looks forward to introducing you to one of the best experiences you will ever have in the most beautiful setting in the world.

“Look forward to meeting and flying with you.” – Mike Healey, Chief Pilot

Read Danny's Bio...

Danny is a highly experienced pilot with a deep passion for Alaska float flying. After earning his private floatplane rating in 2014, he went on to complete his initial commercial and CFI ratings on floats in Moose Pass.

With over a decade of floatplane experience, Danny has honed his skills in some of the most challenging and beautiful flying conditions across the country, and this season marks his eighth year flying with Alaska Float Ratings. His background spans everything from banner towing to airline operations, giving him a well-rounded and adaptable foundation in aviation. Holding an ATP certificate with type ratings in the E170/190 and LR45, Danny brings a wealth of experience to every flight.

His dedication to aviation and genuine love for Alaska’s rugged landscape make him a standout in the world of floatplane flying.

Read Zoe’s Bio...

Zoë is a floatplane enthusiast with a deep love for Alaska and a contagious enthusiasm for teaching. Her annual return to Moose Pass shows that she’s thrilled to be back on the floats in what she considers one of the most beautiful places on earth. Her passion for seaplane flying took hold early on and quickly became a defining part of her aviation career.

Zoë is an experienced flight instructor with extensive instructional time and a strong background in both teaching and commercial operations. In addition to instructing, she flies scenic and tour operations in a de Havilland Beaver in the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing valuable real-world operational experience into every flight. With well over a thousand hours of instruction, she thrives on helping pilots build confidence, skill, and a genuine appreciation for float flying.

Joining the AFR team allows Zoë to combine her love for Alaska, floatplanes, and instruction—whether that’s working with students or sharing the magic of the region through scenic tours and charter flying. Her energy, professionalism, and passion make her a natural fit in the cockpit and on the water.

When she’s not flying, Zoë can usually be found outdoors with her dog, swimming, hiking, cooking, or sewing and crafting. Her favorite place in the world? The back seat of a Super Cub on floats.

Read Zach’s Bio...

Zach is an Air Transport Pilot and full-time Boeing 737 Captain with more than two decades of commercial flying experience. He holds an ATP certificate along with CFI, CFII, MEI, and MEII ratings. While he enjoys airline flying, he often says that seaplane flying is even more rewarding—especially in Alaska.

Zach earned his seaplane rating at just 17 years old and has been returning to Alaska to fish and fly floats ever since. His passion for aviation began when his dad started teaching him to fly as a teenager. Early in his career, he built flight time as a flight instructor, skydiver drop pilot, and scenic tour pilot before transitioning into the airline world, where he has primarily flown the Embraer 145 and Boeing 737.

Throughout his airline career, Zach has served in several operational leadership roles, including Manager of Flight Operations Quality Assurance, Chief Pilot Office Flight Manager, and Line Check Pilot at Part 121 air carriers.

Despite a rewarding airline career, Zach says the most fun flying he’s ever done is on floats in Alaska. Alaska Float Ratings and Scenic Mountain Air are the highlight of his summers.

He’ll also tell you—without hesitation—that he’s married to the most amazing woman on the planet, and together they’ve raised three incredible kids.

Certified Flight Instruction - Float Plane Rating ASES

Our Commitment To Excellence

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” - Aristotle

We whole heartedly believe that safety must always be the top priority, but that doesn't eliminate opportunities to learn and have fun. Each decision we make as a team and as individual flight instructors is to safely and efficiently move our students through a course of training in float plane flying and mountain flying while having an enjoyable time doing it.

We commit to expanding your personal minimums envelope to match your growing experience, skill, and judgment. In doing so we will help you to learn skills, techniques, and tactics that will improve your airmanship and decision making abilities and to make you a better pilot for the remainder of your piloting years.

Continuous, forward progress.

Quality Certified Flight Instructors

There is no question that Certified flight instructors play a vital role in the general aviation community and in the overall safety of aviation as a whole. Each flight instructor has a very critical responsibility to promote safety and teach advancing pilots the skills necessary to foster pilot progression. They must communicate information and techniques that may not appear in textbooks, ensure their students fully understand their lessons in ways that an automated system cannot, and provide a role model to new pilots.

Finding a good flight instructor can mean the difference between a lifetime in aviation or giving up in the early stages of instruction. It could also be the difference between a lifelong aviation career, or a short-lived bout ending in an incident or accident.

As in every aspect of education, different teachers work better with various personality types. However, each certified flight instructor (CFI) bears the responsibility of guiding their student to become a confident aviator in their realm of flying. The best flight instructors are experienced, hard working, and professional.

At Alaska Float Ratings, we understand that skilled CFIs create an environment of learning, promote safety and provide the best opportunities for students to progress in their flight training. That why we individually choose the best CFIs for our team.

Ground School Guidance

Although, in general ground school has turned more to online training, without a typical brick and mortar classroom, CFIs play an instrumental role in proper learning by tailoring a style that fits best with individual students and portions of their flight training. Certified flight instructors help answer the questions of their students in the ground school portion of their training.

Ground school is generally thought of as the “classroom” portion of learning to fly. While many student pilots are eager to climb directly into the cockpit, it’s important to never ignore or attempt to skate through ground school sessions. This part of training is essential to understanding the basics of aviation and becoming an efficient pilot. When it comes to float plane flying and back country mountain flying, in-person ground school with a CFI is paramount.

The best flight instructors realize this. Most flight schools use a syllabus which divides the business of flight training into sections or chapters, usually corresponding to an each individual in-air session. This practice enables the student the flexibility to work with a number of different instructors at the same school. If a student pilot is too young to fly alone or take to the cockpit, focusing on ground school is an excellent way to learn about aviation while waiting for the calendar to turn.

Flight instructors overview the material with their students and ensure that its general principles are understood. The material in ground school is usually geared to helping the student understand the questions he or she will face on the FAA’s practical test for private or commercial pilots. Some flight schools separate ground school sessions and flight lessons, but others integrate them. This second approach sometimes student pilots to progress faster since they are applying book knowledge to practical issues in the air.

In-Flight Training

When people mention “pilot training” or “flying lessons,” this is usually what the public thinks of. While in the air with their students, flight instructors work with their students to ensure they are comfortable with acting as pilot in command. They will practice judging takeoffs and landings, recovering from a stall, and flying in a pattern around an airport. Flight instructors also teach their students how to perform a pre-flight inspection.

The flight instructor also practices various scenarios with the student pilot. They will go over procedures for speaking professionally with Air Traffic Control. Working with weather reports, communicating with other pilots, and learning to file flight plans is also important. A conscientious instructor boosts the confidence of the student without coddling. He or she is a perceptive judge of when the student is prepared to solo, take the FAA’s practical test, or fly cross-country.

Good flight instructors are honest with their students about their progress, maintaining an encouraging outlook while also addressing weaknesses. An instructor who has only positive feedback isn’t doing a student pilot any favors, and one who berates or embarrasses a client stands the danger of losing a prospective new contributor to aviation.

Professionalism by Example

A good flight instructor might be difficult to find and retain, since some, but not all, flight instructors take on positions with flight schools in order to “build time.” They usually aren’t instructors for longer than it takes to reach the amount of hours required as a pilot in command (PIC) to apply to airlines or for charter jobs. While these instructors are safe and well-qualified, an instructor who is seasoned and familiar with the cross currents of the aviation industry is a terrific find. Flight instructors who fail to dedicate themselves to you and your education and who take on more students than is prudent should be avoided.

The best flight instructors model professionalism to their clients. Not only do they underscore lesson plans through explanations and answering questions, but they also give student pilots a personal example to follow. Be wary of flight instructors who speak poorly of others, mention ways to “slip past” FAA rules, or treat airport employees poorly. A flight instructor worth retaining is one who treats others respectfully and who prizes safety and thoroughness.

Designated Pilot Examiner

A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is an experienced aviation professional authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct practical tests, or checkrides, for pilot certification. These include tests for Private Pilot, Commercial, Instrument, and additional ratings such as Seaplane or Multi-Engine. While the FAA sets the standards, DPEs are the ones who ensure each pilot applicant meets them in real-world flying conditions.

The role of a DPE goes far beyond administering tests. A great DPE brings decades of experience, practical insight, and calm professionalism to the cockpit. They assess not just your technical flying skills, but your decision-making, risk management, and ability to operate safely under pressure. A DPE’s job is to uphold safety and training standards—but a truly excellent one does it in a way that teaches, encourages, and elevates future aviators.

Quality Before Quantity - DPE Selection and Training

Becoming a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is no small feat—it’s a rigorous process designed to ensure that only the most qualified, experienced, and safety-conscious aviators are entrusted with evaluating and certifying other pilots. The FAA holds DPEs to an exceptionally high standard because their role directly impacts the safety and integrity of the national airspace system.

The process begins with a detailed application through the FAA, where candidates must demonstrate extensive flight experience, instructional expertise, and a clean safety record. Most applicants hold thousands of hours of flight time, multiple instructor ratings, and a deep background in flight training or operational leadership. In addition to flight qualifications, the FAA also evaluates the candidate’s professionalism, communication skills, judgment, and their ability to remain fair and objective under pressure.

Once selected, candidates undergo comprehensive training conducted by the FAA. This includes instruction on how to administer practical tests in accordance with the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS), training on legal and ethical responsibilities, and in-depth study of policies and procedures. New DPEs must also shadow experienced examiners and complete supervised checkrides before they are fully authorized to operate independently.

Even after approval, DPEs are continually monitored by the FAA and must attend recurrent training to maintain their designation. They are expected to stay current with regulatory changes, safety trends, and evolving best practices in flight instruction. The result is a carefully vetted group of aviation professionals who not only test pilot proficiency but also help shape the future of aviation through their role as educators, mentors, and safety stewards.

DPE as Mentor and Advocate

A great Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is far more than a gatekeeper to a pilot certificate—they are a mentor and advocate for aviation safety and pilot excellence.

As mentors, DPEs bring decades of real-world flying experience into each checkride. They don’t just evaluate— they educate. By asking thoughtful questions, offering constructive feedback, and sharing personal insights, DPEs help pilots understand “why” certain decisions matter, not just “what” the regulations require. A skilled DPE uses the checkride as a learning moment, encouraging pilots to refine their judgment, sharpen their skills, and carry a mindset of continuous improvement into every future flight.

As advocates of aviation safety, DPEs uphold the highest standards in training and operations. They serve as a critical link between the FAA’s expectations and the real-world pilot community, ensuring safety isn’t just a checklist—it’s a culture. By reinforcing good habits and challenging unsafe assumptions, a DPE helps shape pilots who don’t just pass—they thrive.

Ultimately, a DPE who cares deeply about the profession isn’t just signing a certificate. They’re investing in the pilot’s success, growth, and contribution to a safer, stronger aviation community.

Choosing the Right DPE

Choosing the right DPE can make a big difference in your checkride experience. An excellent examiner provides clear expectations, a respectful and focused environment, and an assessment that reflects both FAA standards and real-world application. At Alaska Float Ratings, we work with highly experienced DPEs who specialize in seaplanes, tailwheel aircraft, and mountain flying—so you can approach your checkride with confidence, knowing you’re learning from the best.