Meet Our Professional Staff

All of us are here to help you

Our team is dedicated to provide the best possible service and meet your aviation needs.

Meet Jim

Jim earned hi first certificate in 1981, Jim's early aviation career included corporate flying in King Air, Westwind, and Turbo Commanders. Jim is a Mooney transition instructor, CFII/MEI, and is qualified to teach initial CFI and MEI.

Jim founded Centerline Aviation to share his years of real world experience with new and experienced pilots.

Meet Riley

Riley is a passionate aviation professional and future airline pilot with flying experience in the complex Southern California environment. From early days as a student pilot to becoming a flight instructor, she has safely navigated the airspace surrounding San Diego. She has a strong history of passing check rides and stage checks in the American Airlines Cadet Academy at Coast Flight Training and is a proud alumni and holder of the American FFA Degree in the Future Farmers of America.

Meet Derrell

Derrell obtained his private license in 1971. While he was getting his private pilot license, he bought a 1946 Taylorcraft, painted it and taught himself how to fly it off of a 1,000 foot grass strip. Derrell now has over 2,300 hours in a tailwheel airplane, and 500 hours of aerobatics. He has flown 43 different airplanes and 85 different N numbers of airplanes from J3 cubs to King Airs, Citation and Falcon Jets. Derrell has over 50 years of experience in Aviation. He has approximately 6,000 flight hours, 2,500 + instruction hours, 900+ jet hours, and 1,000+ complex hours. His certifications are Commercial Pilot Airplane Single & Multiengine Land, Instrument Airplane, SIC CE-500 Series and DA-10,

Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor Advanced, and Ground Instructor Instrument Advanced.

Meet Dalton

Dalton began flying at a young age with his dad. He officially began flight training in 2021. Dalton’s favorite flying memory is doing aerobatics over the mountains in a Super Chipmunk. His favorite thing to teach is Private Pilot. In his spare time, Dalton enjoys snowboarding, woodworking, and riding rollercoasters.

Michael Baker

Michael Baker is a Certified Flight Instructor with a passion for aviation that began after graduating from the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte. He works on the Enroute Team at ForeFlight, focusing on commercial and military flight planning solutions. His experience includes flying the Cessna Caravan in jump operations, giving him hands-on knowledge of turboprop aircraft and mission-specific flying. He is dedicated to instructing and helping pilots develop the skills they need for safe and efficient operations. Outside of aviation, Michael is committed to his faith and values time with his family.

Meet Tammy

Tammy manages our back office. Tammy is probably the first person you talk to when you reach out on the phone. She is passionate about meeting your needs and ensuring you have a positive experience with Centerline Aviation Services LLC.