The People Behind
Your Training

Every instructor at Fly Eagle Sport shares one goal: help you fly better, train smarter, and reach your certification with confidence. Browse the team and find the right fit for your goals.

Founded on a Passion for Flight

Tyler R. Sepp — President & Founder, Fly Eagle Sport

Tyler R. Sepp

President & Founder

Tyler Sepp's passion for flying was deeply rooted in his childhood. Flying RC airplanes at nine years old, he soloed a glider at fourteen and became a certified pilot at sixteen. He went on to become a flight instructor at eighteen and achieved the Airline Transport Pilot certificate at twenty-three, with a type rating in the Boeing 737. He has flown several civilian roles and is currently a military pilot in the Arizona National Guard and an Airline Captain. Tyler founded Fly Eagle Sport after years of dreaming of a better way to share his passion for flight.

Valerie Sepp — Student Support & Customer Relations

Valerie Sepp

Student Support & Customer Relations

Val was immersed in the world of aviation while growing up in Yuma near the Marine Corps Air Station. With a background in business ownership, education, and customer service she brings a variety of talents to the Eagle Sport team. She holds a Doctorate in Pharmacology, Board Certification in Ambulatory Care Medicine, and is a CNP (Certified Nonprofit Professional). She volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is adjunct faculty for Midwestern University Glendale. Val is also a member of the U.S. Army National Guard where she serves in the JAG Corps as a Paralegal Specialist. But her favorite and most important job is her role as mama — and teaching her son Colt all about airplanes.

In-House Maintenance — A Rare Advantage

Most flight schools outsource aircraft maintenance. We don't. Our in-house A&P mechanic keeps our fleet airworthy, responsive, and ready — so you spend more time flying and less time waiting.

Hayden Ace Bradley — A&P Mechanic, Fly Eagle Sport

Hayden Ace Bradley

Licensed A&P Mechanic

Hayden is both an FES graduate and the school's in-house FAA Airframe & Powerplant mechanic — a combination that gives him a uniquely complete understanding of the aircraft our students fly every day. Having gone through the training program himself, he knows how important aircraft availability and reliability are to a student's progress. Hayden keeps the FES fleet airworthy, responsive, and ready — handling maintenance in-house so aircraft return to service faster than at schools that contract out. His presence on-site is a genuine advantage for our students: fewer cancellations, better-maintained aircraft, and an A&P who is always close at hand.

Find Your CFI

Cards shuffle randomly on every visit — every instructor gets equal visibility. Filter by what you're training for to find the right match. Ready to connect? Tell us your goals and we'll help pair you.

Auguste Smith — Senior Flight Instructor, CFI CFII MEI

Auguste Smith

CFI CFII MEI AirCam Senior Instructor Limited Openings

With over 2,500 total flight hours — including 2,000+ hours of dual instruction given and 1,000+ hours of multi-engine time — Auguste offers the experience and versatility to help pilots reach their goals efficiently and safely. He is qualified to teach in a wide range of aircraft, from primary trainers to complex multi-engine airplanes, and is an AirCam course instructor as well as a tailwheel endorsement instructor. Auguste's schedule stays full, but he's flexible and committed to working with students to find times that fit their needs. Whether you're a new student starting your first lesson or an advanced pilot seeking a new rating, he brings proven instructional skill, real-world experience, and a focus on building confident, capable aviators. Based in Phoenix, Auguste enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and making the most of Arizona's great outdoors — when he's not in the air.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: AirCam multi-engine time building, discovery flights, advanced training, special landing training, tailwheel training, flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks, and commercial training.
  • Availability: Weekday mornings and some weekends as schedule allows.
  • Teaching style: Patient, structured, and flexible — focused on practical, real-world skills while keeping the environment low-pressure and easy to understand.
  • Best fit: Rated pilots looking to build multi-engine time, pilots seeking advanced or specialty training, and those wanting to expand their skill set in unique aircraft.
  • Accepting students: Limited openings
  • Contact: Text or call 602-710-8798

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial Multi-Engine AirCam
Phil Corbell — Senior Flight Instructor, CFI-S

Phil Corbell

CFI-S Senior Instructor Limited Openings

Phil Corbell is a Master Instructor Emeritus whose flying experience covers a wide range of aircraft and diversified types of flying, having flown in the military (B-52s and T-38s), commercial aviation, and general aviation — including flight instruction, glider flying, and banner towing. He is a FAA Safety Team Lead Representative for the Scottsdale FSDO, the AOPA Airport Support Network (ASN) Representative for KGEU Glendale, a charter member of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), and a member of the Arizona Aviation Safety Advisory Group (ASAG). Phil was recently awarded the Wright Brothers Achievement Award for 50 years of flying.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Sport Pilot Certification
  • Availability: By appointment — limited scheduling
  • Teaching style: Real-world, experience-based — ideal for students who want to understand the “why” behind every maneuver and decision
  • Best fit: Young people learning to fly, older pilots returning to aviation, and students navigating handicapping considerations
  • Accepting students: Limited capacity
  • Contact: Email preferred — usafplt@gmail.com

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot
Daniel Palm — CFI CFII MEI

Daniel Palm

CFI CFII MEI AirCam / Sonex Senior Instructor Chief Pilot Limited Openings

Daniel was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He completed his training at ATP Flight School through his flight instructor certificates. Whether you're pursuing a Sport Pilot certificate or a career path to the airlines, Daniel is qualified to provide training at every level. He focuses on making every lesson enjoyable by sharing his genuine passion for flying, and structures each lesson from the student's perspective — adapting instruction to the individual.

As Chief Pilot at Fly Eagle Sport, Daniel oversees daily flight operations, conducts stage checks to ensure students are progressing to standard, and manages the CFI team — keeping instruction consistent, safe, and high-quality across the board.

At a Glance

  • Availability: Weekdays — any time
  • Training offered: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, CFI, CFII
  • Teaching style: Tailored to each student's individual learning style
  • Best fit: Career-oriented students
  • Accepting students: Limited capacity
  • Contact: Text or call — 520-820-4436

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial Multi-Engine
Tyler Robertson — CFI CFII MEI

Tyler Robertson

CFI CFII MEI AirCam / Sonex Limited Openings

Tyler is an Arizona native and has been flying in the Phoenix area for several years. In his free time he enjoys fishing, building computers, camping, and spending time with family. He has been a flight instructor for more than two years and has flown many different aircraft. At Fly Eagle Sport, he instructs in the Remos GX, Sonex, and AirCam.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Sport Pilot Certification
  • Availability: By appointment — limited scheduling
  • Teaching style: Student-focused and practical
  • Best fit: Special programs aircraft (AirCam, Sonex)
  • Accepting students: Limited capacity
  • Contact: Text or call — (623) 249-8865

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial Multi-Engine AirCam
Toby Bala — CFI CFII

Toby Bala

CFI CFII Accepting Students

As a flight instructor, Toby brings both enthusiasm and dedication to every lesson. Being an excellent teacher is just as important to him as flying. He takes pride in tailoring his instruction to each student's learning style — making sure they not only meet the requirements but truly understand the "why" behind everything. Whether it's your first time in the cockpit or you're preparing for advanced certifications, Toby aims to make the experience both challenging and rewarding. Outside the cockpit, Toby enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, and fishing. He is available 24/7 to answer questions, schedule flights, or provide guidance — learning to fly should be as accessible and stress-free as possible.

At a Glance

  • Availability: Weekdays and weekends, mornings and evenings
  • Training offered: Discovery Flights, Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, CFII
  • Teaching style: Patient, structured, and flexible — accommodating both accelerated and relaxed training paces
  • Best fit: New and current students alike; adaptable to any schedule, from pre-sunrise to late evening
  • Accepting students: Yes
  • Contact: Text or call preferred — 623-760-5010

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial
Zac Erixon — CFI

Zac Erixon

CFI Accepting Students

Aviation has been a passion for Zac as long as he can remember. Growing up around military aviation, that early exposure sparked a lifelong goal to become a pilot and share the experience with others. After graduating from Sacramento State University and briefly working in the golf industry, he pursued aviation full time in Phoenix. He holds a CFI-A, Commercial Multi-Engine add-on, Instrument Rating, and is a Part 107 certified Remote Pilot. He has logged time in six different aircraft and continues to expand his experience in the air. His top priority as an instructor is student success — creating a supportive, professional training environment where students feel confident and motivated.

At a Glance

  • Availability: Open — 7 days a week
  • Training offered: Discovery Flights, Flight Reviews, Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial, CFI Ground Prep
  • Teaching style: Tailored to each student — expectations are set from the start, whether working with a beginner, a rusty pilot, a nervous pilot, or a student seeking a fast, accelerated program
  • Accepting students: Yes
  • Contact: Text or call preferred — 916-622-0030

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Commercial
Brannon Johnson — CFI

Brannon Johnson

CFI Accepting Students

Before becoming a flight instructor, Brannon spent years as a K–12 educator, helping students with diverse learning styles reach their goals. That experience taught him how to adapt instruction to each individual — breaking down complex concepts into something understandable and immediately applicable. He brings that same personalized approach to aviation training, focusing on building confidence, mastering skills, and producing safe, capable pilots.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial, Discovery Flights, Flight Reviews, Checkout Flights
  • Availability: Anytime — open availability
  • Teaching style: Adaptive, patient, safety-focused, accelerated
  • Best fit: Brand-new students, working professionals, high school and college students, accelerated learners
  • Accepting students: Yes
  • Contact: Text, call, or email — 801-842-9682 · brannon1996@yahoo.com

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Commercial
William McCune — CFI CFII

William McCune

CFI CFII Accepting Students

William McCune was born and raised in Arizona and completed his flight training right here in Glendale. As a local, he knows the area well — and that familiarity translates directly into a richer, more contextual training experience for every student he works with.

William is committed to creating a positive learning environment while holding each student to a high standard. He understands firsthand what students go through at every stage of training, and he uses that perspective to keep lessons both challenging and genuinely enjoyable. Strong aeronautical decision-making is a cornerstone of his instruction — he models it on every flight so students develop the judgment that makes a pilot safe, not just certificated.

He is available any day of the week at flexible hours and makes every student a priority. Outside the cockpit, William enjoys golf, side-by-sides, cars, and traveling.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, Discovery Flights
  • Availability: Weekdays, weekends, mornings and evenings — flexible scheduling
  • Teaching style: Structured, patient, accelerated, hands-on
  • Best fit: Brand-new students, working professionals, accelerated learners
  • Accepting students: Yes
  • Contact: Text or email — 623-734-5484 · Wmccune04@gmail.com

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial
Johnnie Stout — CFI CFII MEI

Johnnie Stout

CFI CFII MEI Accepting Students

Johnnie Stout grew up in Montana and moved to the Phoenix area after high school to pursue his passion for aviation. A lifelong love of travel eventually led him to the freedom and challenge of flying — and he hasn't looked back since.

Johnnie completed all of his flight training at ATP in Mesa, earning his CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates before spending time in Florida with ATP's Safety Department, where he gained additional experience in training standards and risk management. He brings more than 500 hours of total flight time and 250 hours of dual instruction given to every lesson — along with a clear understanding of both the technical and personal challenges students face in training.

He prides himself on being patient, accessible, and fully committed to each student's success, and is always available to answer questions or provide extra support when needed.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, Discovery Flights
  • Availability: Weekdays, weekends, mornings and evenings
  • Teaching style: Adaptable, engaging, supportive, reliable
  • Best fit: New students, returning aviators, recreational pilots
  • Payment: Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, Cash
  • Accepting students: Yes
  • Contact: Call or text — 406-396-0330 · johnniestout1@gmail.com

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial Multi-Engine
Emily Pagano — CFI CFII MEI

Emily Pagano

CFI CFII MEI Accepting Students

Full bio coming soon. Contact us to learn more about Emily's background and availability — we're happy to connect you.

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial Multi-Engine
Ryan Farney — CFI CFII

Ryan Farney

CFI CFII Accepting Students

Ryan Farney is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII) with two years of flight instruction experience and a genuine passion for aviation, mentorship, and pilot development. Over that time he has guided students through multiple stages of their aviation journey, with a consistent emphasis on safety, professionalism, and building real confidence in the cockpit. His background in flight operations and project management gives him a structured, goal-oriented approach to instruction — one focused on helping each student succeed while holding a high standard throughout.

Outside of aviation, Ryan enjoys golf, team sports, and staying active outdoors. He values teamwork, discipline, and continuous growth — both as an instructor and in his personal life.

At a Glance

  • ⚠ Availability, training details, and contact info coming soon — check back or contact us to reach Ryan directly.

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial
Jean-Baptiste (JB) Deloffre — CFI

Jean-Baptiste Deloffre "JB"

CFI Accepting Students

Jean-Baptiste Deloffre — known to his students as JB — brings a patient, structured approach to flight training shaped in part by his experience as a father of two. He understands that learning to fly isn't easy, and he keeps training organized and goal-oriented so students always have a clear picture of where they stand in the process. His goal is to develop safe, competent pilots — not just checkride passers — while staying genuinely encouraging along the way.

Having completed much of his own flight training while working full time, JB has a particular understanding of the challenges student pilots face when balancing aviation with a busy life. He is flexible, committed to his students' success, and currently accepting new students at Fly Eagle Sport.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial, Discovery Flights, Flight Reviews
  • Availability: Flexible — weekdays and weekends with advance notice. Mornings preferred (Phoenix weather)
  • Teaching style: Patient and structured, yet flexible
  • Best fit: Works well with all students; especially relatable for those training while working full time
  • Payment: Cash, Check, Venmo, Zelle
  • Contact: Text, call, or email — 720-215-0842 · jbdeloffre@gmail.com

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Commercial
Collin Shannon — CFI, Fly Eagle Sport

Collin Shannon

CFI CFII Limited Openings

An Arizona native, Collin has had a love for aviation since his senior year of high school and has been building toward it ever since. He currently holds a bachelor's degree in business from Arizona State University, is pursuing a master's degree in engineering at ASU, and is also completing a professional flight degree through Liberty University — a combination that reflects both his academic drive and his full commitment to aviation as a career.

Collin is a CFII, qualified to instruct students from their first flight through their Commercial certificate. He builds his instruction around a structured curriculum and consistency — giving students a clear framework at every stage of training while staying flexible enough to shift into accelerated mode when a student is ready to push.

Outside the cockpit, Collin stays active with hiking and working out, enjoys watching football, and values time with family and friends.

At a Glance

  • Training offered: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, Discovery Flights — wide range of experience across programs
  • Availability: Every day except Sunday
  • Teaching style: Structured curriculum built on consistency, with the option to accelerate when the student is ready
  • Best fit: Dedicated pilots looking for accelerated or consistent instruction
  • Current capacity: Accepting limited students — one to two openings available
  • Contact: Call or text preferred — 602-689-5750

Discovery Flight Sport Pilot Private Pilot Instrument Commercial

Not sure who to choose? Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the right instructor.

Fly With Us. Teach With Us.

We're always looking for sharp, motivated CFIs who share our commitment to student success and personal, high-quality instruction. If you think you're a fit, we'd love to hear from you.