Instructors

Greg Krantz - CFI, CFII, CSIP, Chief Flight Instructor

Greg has always wanted to fly. He started flying on his 18th birthday, changing careers in 2004 to start flying professionally. Greg worked for a regional air carrier for a short time but found he missed teaching people how to fly and soon returned to flight instruction. Greg has over 1200 hours total time with 550 hours dual given.

Kyle Fischer- CFI, CFII

Kyle discovered his love for flying in 2008 with his first flight high above Duluth Minnesota. Being raised in Duluth he had always heard the roar of the F16?s above him and been interested in flying. From his very first flight he was hooked. Attracted by the freedom and challenges flying presented he decided to pursue a career in aviation. Having a background in teaching Kyle continued his training and became a certified flight instructor. Rarely will you catch him without a smile on his face, which is proof he loves his job.

Mike Ablan - CFI, CFII, MEI, Tailwheel

Mike started flying in 1977. He has performed many aspects of aviation from mechanical work with the Confederate Air Force, Flight Instructing for international and government entities and commercial 135 operators, bush pilot in the Artic ocean area, to an airline pilot. As a Marine Corps vet, Mike has over 5500 hours total time and has flown over 50 types of aircraft. Mike is happy to provide his expertise to TCA customers.

Nick Stengl - CFI, CFII, MEI, CSIP

Nick started his flying career in January 2001 when he became a flight instructor for the University of North Dakota. While at UND, Nick trained pilots from private pilot to multi engine flight instructors, conducted check rides and accumulated over 1500 hours of dual given. From Grand Forks, Nick moved to Duluth and became a Cirrus Factory flight instructor. Nick has flown the Cirrus over 1100 hours and to over 40 states from Canada to the Bahamas. Nick also volunteers as a FAASTeam representative to help promote safety in the aviation community.

Matt Childs - CFI, Tailwheel

Matt has always had an interest in aviation and began his flight training with Twin Cities Flight Training in 2007. After realizing how much he enjoyed flying he decided to make flying his career. Over the years he gained commercial single and multi-engine licenses, as well as his instrument Rating and a tailwheel endorsement. Almost exactly five years after his first introductory flight, he received his CFI certificate and now instructing at TCFT. He has accumulated over 375 hours of flight time, with experience in a wide variety of aircraft.

Dan Whipple - CFI, CFII, Tail Wheel

Dan was taught to fly by his father in a Piper Cub PA-18 on their ranch in South Dakota. He has now been flying for 41 years and has over 4500 hours total time. Dan has a Masters degree in Education has been an educator for over 36 years. His love of teaching prompted him to become a CFI. After 23 years as a CFI he has over 3000 hours of dual given. Dan teaches all levels of pilots from private to CFII and tail wheel. Dan loves teaching and being able to pass his love for flying to other people. His greatest joy was teaching his own 4 children to fly and thus passing on the family tradition.

Jeff Goetzke - CFI

After high school, Jeff decided to pursue his dreams of becoming a pilot. He attended Saint Cloud State University and received a degree in Professional Flight. Jeff also served with the Minnesota Army National Guard at Holman Airfield in St. Paul, MN. He served seven years and spent one of those years overseas in Iraq working on Blackhawk Helicopters. Once home from the deployment, he walked next store to Twin Cities Aviation to finish his ratings and has never looked back.

Amy Labus-Olson - CFI, CFII

Several years ago, Amy decided to transition into a new career as an aviation educator. For the past ten years or so, she has been teaching English as a second language for college and university intensive English and foreign language programs both in the US and abroad. Amy holds a master's degree in education and is very passionate about pedagogy and promoting professionalism in education. She received her private pilot certificate in 2006 and is now a CFII. Aviation and education are two of her passions and to be able to combine the two has proven to be very rewarding.

Chris Kvidera - CFI, CFII, CSIP

Chris first discovered aviation with a flight in a Cessna 152 when he was 8 years old. With just a taste of aviation, he knew he had to make it a bigger part of his life. Chris earned his CFI and CFII ratings along with a Commercial Aviation degree from the University of North Dakota, graduating in 2006. From cold winter flights in the Dakotas, mountain flying in the Carolinas and international flying to the Bahamas, Chris has picked up a variety of flight experiences ready to share with his students.

Sarah Montain - CFI, CFII

Sarah knew she wanted to fly from a young age. In 2007 she began her flying career at the University of North Dakota where she earned all her ratings through CFI, and CFII certificates. Prior to graduating she was hired as a Certified Flight Instructor at UND and received her degrees in Commercial Aviation and Political Science. More recently, she had the desire to move back to the cities where she was hired by TCFT to continue her flight instructing dream. Currently, Sarah is attending law school to hopefully some day combine her passion towards aviation and work as an attorney for the FAA.