Keith Amaro (Owner & Chief Flight Instructor) -- ATP, MEI, CFI-A, CFI-IA.
Keith has over 8,000 hours of flight time. He holds the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate, and is a Certified Flight Instructor (Instrument, Multi-Engine, and Single-Engine). He’s flown for Ameriflight, Air Ambulance, and American Eagle Airlines. He acquired and relaunched California Airways in 2004, and currently serves as Chief Flight Instructor for all Part 141 training courses. Email: keitha12@yahoo.com Kareem Fahmi -- ATP, MEI, CFI, CFI-IA
Kareem and Keith founded the new California Airways in 2004. Kareem was Cal Airways' Chief Flight Instructor for its first four years. He's logged over 4,000 hours of flight time. He holds the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate, and is a Certified Flight Instructor (Airplane Multi-Engine, Single-Engine, and Instrument Airplane). When not teaching at California Airways, he and his wife can be found flying their Piper Turbo Arrow all over the western United States. He's also a glider pilot, and has published numerous articles in Soaring magazine. Cell 510-882-8778, Email: kareemfahmi@hotmail.com
John Diegoli -- Commercial Pilot, CFI, IGI
A long-time Bay Area Pilot, John started flying in 1986 and earned his CFI certificate in 2003. Specializing in Primary and Commercial instruction, John also holds an IGI and helps those with their instrument ratings maintain currency through the clubs simulators.
When he is not teaching or working at his full-time job, John commutes back and forth to his home in the Sierras in his Grumman AA-1. Email: jdiegoli@comcast.net
Phil Blank -- Commercial Pilot, CFI-A, CFI-IA, MEI, Cessna FITS Accepted Instructor
Phil comes to California Airways with over six thousand hours of flight time. He holds the FAA Airline Transport Rating and is type rated in a B-727, B-737, EMB-120 and CE-500. He also holds a Flight Engineer Turbojet rating as well as being an active CFI for Instrument, Multi-engine and Single-engine aircraft. A regular contributor to Aviation Safety magazine, Phil is also a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol and is the California Wing Director of Pilot Standardization and Evaluation. Phil is also an active G1000 instructor and is one of the few instructors in the Bay Area who has completed Cessna's FITS training program and is certified to Cessna to administer this program for pilots at California Airways. philip_blank@yahoo.com
Mal Raff -- Forever in our hearts, April 18, 1940-November 3, 2010
Mal was an instructor with California Airways for many years and during that time made many friends. He had a way of turning students into pilots while creating an experience for those who met him that would last a lifetime. Mal succumbed to brain cancer on November 3, 2010 in Berkely, California. There will never be another Mal Raff but his memory will last forever.
Gihak Bae -- Forever in our hearts, November 17, 1966-June 24, 2010
Gi touched many people during his life and his love for aviation is how most met him. He was respected by all who knew him and there will be a permanent void in many lives now that he is gone. Gi succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer June 24, 2010 in Oakland, California. He will be forever in our hearts.
Rob Goldman -- Commercial Pilot, CFI-A, CFI-IA.
Rob started flying sailplanes over 20 years ago and has logged over 1,800 hours in various aircraft. He holds the FAA Commercial Pilot (Airplane Single-Engine Land) certificate, and is a Certified Flight Instructor (Instrument and Airplane Single-Engine.) He’s a professional teacher, having taught thousands of adults in classroom settings for high-tech companies. Rob loves to fly and teach. He’s available evenings and weekends.
Briano Santos -- Commercial Pilot, CFI-A, CFI-IA, MEI
Briano has logged 400 plus hours, and is FAA rated Commercial Pilot, and is a Certified Flight Instructor (Single and Multi-Engine, Instrument). Briano is one of our newest instructors, having recently finished his training from ATP. In his spare time, Briano enjoys long walks on the beach, and puppies. Cell: (510) 813-1754
Eric Horvei == Commercial Pilot, CFI-A, CFI-IA, MEI
Eric is new to California Airways, having flown with SkyWest recently. He has logged 1,450 flight hours, and has passed his ATP written. Eric is known as a passionate teacher, and enjoys traveling to exotic locations like Peru with his wife and his two daughters.
Cell: (510) 331-1417
Ben Brillo--Commercial Pilot,Certified Flight Instructor - CFI, CFII, Aircraft Mechanic-A&P
Ben has been an instructor with California Airways for several years and has proved to the aviation community that he has an excellent passing rate with the FAA. Ben has over 1,300 flight hours and is passionate about flying and instructing. He has accumulated his flight experience as a traffic watch pilot, flight instructor, and through leisure flying. He is a licensed aircraft mechanic, working in the field since 2000. He is available 7 days a week for training and can be reached at 510-693-0865 or by email: bbrillo76@gmail.com
Dru Babcock -- Airline Transport Pilot, CFI, CFII
Dru started flying while he was in high school and earned experience as a flight instructor before he flew for a large part 135 cargo operator for several years. He has instruction experience in most, common single engine aircraft; and has also flown extensively in several multi-engine piston and turbine aircraft as PIC. He has a passion for people and teaching; and he is also a trained Life-Coach. His people skills translate very well into flight instruction, as he enjoys facilitating people in achieving their aviation goals (while having a safe and fun time). And he is also a certified Boy Scouts of America, Aviation Merit Badge Counselor.
Susie Amaro -- Office Manager
Susie is the office manager at California Airways. She arranges parties, special events, does all of the marketing for California Airways and enjoys her position at the company very much. Susie brings to the team alot of marketing experience from her former careers and has helped grow the business and developed new programs such as the Children's Birthday Parties and Special Events. She can be reached at 510-504-0135 or susie@california-airways.com.
