Our Instructors

  You will only find dedicated, well trained instructors at Platinum. We have instructors that are factory trained Cirrus Standardized Instructors as well as staff factory trained on the Cessna Garmin G-1000 aircraft and Piper SimCom trained instructors. No “time builders” here, only professionals who know the aircraft, the systems and the information you need to know to be a safe and competent pilot for years to come. Here’s one fact that will surprise many wanting to gain their instrument rating. The FAA actually allows Certified Instrument Instructors that have absolutely no actual instrument time to teach the instrument rating. Some of the bigger nationally known schools don’t even allow IFR training in actual conditions. We believe instructors that have experience in real world flying can teach those same skills in real world conditions where you will be flying in the future.

  Tina founded Platinum Aviation after a successful career as a race horse trainer and racehorse exercise jockey, having decided to move up to a faster and safer ride. Education runs in Tina’s family. Her father was Superintendent of schools back in Kansas where she grew up and her mother was a German language teacher.
  Tina is active as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the South Florida FSDO and gives seminars on Technologically Advanced Aircraft. She specializes in Cirrus instruction, instrument instruction and complex aircraft. She has 100% pass rate for her students on FAA practical tests.

FAA's Southern region Flight Instructor of the Year for 2007

  Flight instruction is Kerry’s second career after 25 years as a successful advertising photographer shooting for Fortune 500 and international companies. Having been a pilot since 1982, he’s finally pursuing his real passion of flight.
   Kerry is active as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the South Florida FSDO and gives seminars on Technologically Advanced Aircraft. He spends most of his flight instruction time in Cirrus aircraft and complex aircraft. He has a 100% pass rate for his students on FAA practical tests.

  David is an air traffic control tower operator here at Opa Locka Airport and teaches at Platinum in his spare time. Finishing at the top of his class in Navy air traffic control school, he was awarded the opportunity to “pick his assignment anywhere in the world”, just like in the movie Top Gun. Later he found himself controlling a busy flight deck during the Gulf War.
  David teaches both private and instrument ratings and because of his job, one of the best sources for learning proper radio phraseology and technique.