Premier's Flight Instructors

Michael Berlin
Chief Pilot, Commercial pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, SUAS

Mike@PremierFlightCT.com

Mike is our Chief Pilot/Flight Instructor. He started flying in 1978 eventually earning his Private, Instrument, Commercial, Single and Multi-engine pilot certificates and ratings. He became an instructor in 1995 and an FAA Safety Counselor in 1997. In 1999 Mike was awarded the FAA’s coveted "Gold Seal Instructor" status. Shortly after, he earned the National Association of Flight Instructors "Master CFI" designation.

In 2006 Mike was selected as the FAA’s Windsor Locks District and Eastern Regional "CFI of the Year". With thousands of "Instructor" hours logged, he has also served as a Check Pilot/Instructor for the Civil Air Patrol and has been an aircraft owner.

Mike holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Eastern Connecticut State University where he was also employed as an Engineer for the Information Technology Services Department until his retirement. He has published several articles for AOPA Flight Training and NAFI Mentor Magazines. His General Aviation/Ham Radio website can be found at Mike's Website.

Anthony J. Giovanetti
Commercial pilot, CFI, CFII, AGI, IGI

Tony@PremierFlightCT.com

Tony is a versatile pilot who instructs students of various ages and diverse backgrounds. He holds a Ph.D. From Massachusetts Institute of Technology and works full-time as a program management and engineering consultant for world wide aviation and other defense manufactures.  He is a true asset to Premier Flight Center.

Tony has authored twenty-five technical publications and symposium presentations and holds two patents. Dr. Giovanetti has over twenty-eight years as a research, project and development engineer, program manager and college adjunct lecturer. He is tailwheel rated and has an airplane restoration project he will be happy to discuss with other pilots who appreciate vintage aircraft.

John Lampson
Commercial Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, ASES, ATP

John@PremierFlightCT.com

In 1994, well into the pursuit of a career as a guitar player/songwriter John discovered another passion on par with music, aviation! He earned his commercial, multiengine, and instrument certificates and ratings, in addition to advanced ground instructor rating and flight instructor certificate. John is also rated in single engine sea planes!

John earned flight experience working as a jump pilot for Connecticut Parachutists and Boston-Providence Skydiving, and he flew aerial photography missions throughout the northeast. In 2001 John was recognized by the FAA as a “Gold Seal” Flight Instructor.

John established himself as a factory-authorized instructor and demo-pilot for Flight Design USA during the emergence of light sport aircraft and the sport pilot certificate. He continues to fly for the leader in the LSA industry.

John has accumulated more than 9,000 flight hours, nearly 8,000 logged as a flight instructor. At Premier Flight Center, he has found a place to share his passion for flight, while he continues to perform with the rock cover-band, LA's Backstage Pass.

Ian Macala
Commercial pilot, CFI, AGI

Ian@PremierFlightCT.com

At an early age, Ian was fascinated with airplanes – in fact, one of his earliest memories is being detained by the Air Force’s Military Police when he was 2 years old after he was found wandering alone down the flight line at the base where his father worked as a maintenance technician.

Ian embodies the passion for perfection that is characteristic of Premier’s instructors. Ian is an entrepreneur who has owned and managed a small manufacturing company since 1986. He earned his private pilot certificate in 1995 and has continued to pursue new ratings since then. His enjoyment for providing technical training to his employees and his experiences coaching led to his desire to become a flight instructor. Ian has logged more than 1100 hours in Cessnas and Piper Cherokees and in his all-time favorite airplane, the Piper Cub.

Wade Fuller
Commercial pilot, CFI, CFII, ME

Wade@PremierFlightCT.com

Wade started his aviation career at Hartford-Brainard Airport at the age of 13. After the completion of his first solo, he left Connecticut to attend school at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Wade later transferred from Embry-Riddle to Jacksonville State University Online where he is currently working on his degree in Emergency Management.

He decided to continue his aviation career at Phoenix East Aviation in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he would obtain his instrument, commercial, and CFI certificates. While at Phoenix East Aviation as well as Epic Flight Academy, he tutored private as well as commercial and instrument pilot applicants for over a year. Once he obtained his instructor certificates, he returned to Connecticut and found Premier Flight Center on the same airport where his journey began.

Wade is very enthusiastic about aviation and tries to bring the absolute best out of his students.

Erik St. Pierre
Commercial pilot, CFI, ME

Erik@PremierFlightCT.com

Through out his life, Erik has always enjoyed helping others. This led him to try and find something where he could help others. While attending college to become a nurse, Erik found another passion, aviation. He fell in love with flying, after a flight from Hartford to Fitchburg, Massachusetts with his brother in law.

He then decided to peruse a career in aviation. Erik began his training at ATP Flight School, out of Hartford-Brainard Airport. After acquiring his commercial rating in a single and multi engine aircraft, he decided to transfer to Interstate Aviation, out of Simsbury, Connecticut, to get his CFI certificate. Once his training was complete, he decided to get a full time job as a Certified Flight Instructor.

As a CFI, Erik is able to combine his two favorite things, flying, and helping others

Julien Work
Commerical Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, SUAS

Julien@PremierFlightCT.com

Julien started his flying journey at 14 years old in New Mexico. After soloing at 16 years old, he took time away from flying to focus on school, returning in 2018 to continue his journey with John Lampson at Premier.

He completed his private pilot's license in CT, before moving to Las Vegas to continue his career with American Airlines, and his flight training.

After finishing his instrument rating in 2019, he completed his commercial and CFI in 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During his time as an instructor in Albuquerque, he helped dozens of students accomplish their aviation dreams, as well as completing his CFI-I and MEI ratings.

Brandon Perras
Commerical Pilot, CFI, CFII, ME

Brandonp@PremierFlightCT.com

From a very early age I have been fascinated by aviation. I loved sitting next to Bradley International and watching the planes takeoff and land. When I was about 14 years old, I took a discovery flight at Premier Flight Center. Unfortunately, due to school and all the various sports I played, I wasn’t able to pursue flight training until college. Starting in the fall of 2019, I attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL.

I graduated in the Spring of 2023 with a BS in Aeronautical Science, a double minor in Psychology and Applied Meteorology, and a Commercial Single and Multi-engine pilot certificate. I obtained my CFI and CFI-I certificates at another flight school in Daytona called Air America Flight Center. After college, I decided to move back home and instruct in the area I grew up in.

When I’m not flying, I enjoy fishing or going out for a round of golf with some friends. As an instructor, my wish to help anyone achieve their goals and become the best and safest pilot they can be.