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.

supercub float planes in alaskas back country

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.

Brad DPE Supercub Floatplane

Brad Holt

DPE and Charter Pilot
A true leader plants trees under whose shade they may never sit. Brad is a mentor, an advocate for aviation and he is that type of leader.

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 CFI, CFII, MEI, MEII, 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.

Mike Healey - Chief Pilot of Alaska Float Ratings

Mike Healey

Chief Pilot, CFI, Charter Pilot
With decades of experience in aviation, Mike can safely and efficiently fill any role, and he does just that in Moose Pass, AK.

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

Alaska Float Ratings Certified Flight Instructor

Danny Navaro

CFI and Charter Pilot
Filled with a deep passion for Alaska, Danny keeps coming back to flying floatplanes in Alaska. His experience in the rugged backcountry provides him with a special understanding of mountain flying.

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 here in Moose Pass.

With over 1,000 hours of floatplane experience, Danny has honed his skills in some of the most challenging and beautiful flying conditions across the country. His broad range of experience includes everything from towing banners to flying for an airline, providing a versatile foundation in aviation. Holding an ATP certificate with type ratings for the E170/190 and LR45,

Danny brings a wealth of expertise to every flight. His dedication to aviation and love for Alaska’s rugged landscape makes him a standout in the world of floatplane flying.

Cassie Young Alaska Float Ratings Certified Flight Instructor CFI

Cassie Young

ASES CFI
She does everything – floatplanes, skydiving, wingsuits, helicopters, and on, and on, and on. Cassie has a wide range of experience in everything aerodynamics. If it flies, she knows how it works and she loves it!

Hi, I’m Cassie! I am originally from the Chicago suburbs, but I went to college at Colorado State University to study business. While there, I randomly decided to work on my PPL as a side hobby starting in 2020. You can guess how that story goes: after graduating in 2021, I decided to not touch my business degree and instead go full blown into flight school. Once finishing all my ratings (ASEL, ASES, AMEL, CFI/II/MEI, and WSCL for fun), I went on to instruct out of Van Nuys Airport in CA. However, ever since getting my seaplane add on, flying floats in Alaska was the dream. Instructing at Alaska Float Ratings in 2024 was the most incredible experience of my life, and I can’t wait for the seasons to come getting to share that love of float flying with others in the most beautiful place on earth!

Zach with our DPE (Brad)

Zach Holt

ASES CFI
At 14 years old he took his first flight and was hooked. Almost 30 years later, he still has the same passion for everything aviation and loves to share it with others.

Zach is an Air Transport Pilot and full-time B737 Captain. Though he loves flying commercially for the airlines, he finds more satisfaction flying Seaplanes than in commercial jets (most of the time). He got his Seaplane rating when he was 17 years old and has been visiting Alaska to fish and fly floats ever since.

Zach’s dad began teaching him how to fly in his teens. He built flight time as a CFI, CFII and MEII, flew as a skydiver drop pilot and scenic tour pilot. Zach has now been flying commercially for more than 15 years, mainly flying an Embraer 145 and a Boeing 737. His aviation experience ranges from multiple different areas of flight operations, including 3 years as the Manager of Flight Operations Quality Assurance for a regional airline and 3 years as a Chief Pilot Office Flight Manager at a major airline. 

Zach says that flying float planes in Alaska is by far the funnest flying that he has ever done. Alaska Float Ratings and Scenic Mountain Air are the funnest part of his summer. 

He might be biased, but he says that he is married to the most amazing female on the planet and that they created the three most beautiful humans.
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.

Learn More About Certified Flight Instructors (CFI)

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.

Learn More About Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE)

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.