Our team
Arno Hess
Certified Flight Instructor CFI/CFII
Arno is a FAA Certified Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot, and IFR/Multi Engine rated. He started his flying career in 2012 in St Thomas. After his certification as a Private Pilot, he very fast decided to buy his own airplane, a Cessna 172 and discovered the Caribbean and the Bahamas from the air.
A different perspective after being a Yacht Captain/Owner and Engineer since 1993 and running Charter Yachts in the region!
In 2016, he and his fiancee rebuilt the family beach houses in the Dominican Republic and converted them into Vacation Rental units.
Now the offer two gorgeous houses and an apartment to their flying friends and students. Check it out: Playa Bonita Beach Houses, listed on Airbnb.
Nik Verecchia
Certified Flight Instructor CFI/CFII
Nik has been flying for 20 years and teaching for more than 10 years. He has worked with students from various backgrounds and from multiple countries.
He specialises in teaching instrument and Garmin glass cockpit, but also has private, commercial, CFI and CFII student passes. Nik also enjoys teaching ground as much as he likes teaching in the airplane, and is available for scheduled ground schools at our beachfront location in the Dominican Republic, or one on one lessons anywhere in the world.
He is from New Hampshire, USA, so he loves teaching in the Caribbean with us, especially in the winter months. Nik has experience teaching all over the United States, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands, and St. Martin. Nik also has extensive ferry flying experience across the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Erik Nyhuus
Certified Flight Instructor FAA and EASA
FAA ATP B737 IP and TCE (expired)
FAA CFI, CFII, MEI
EASA ATP B737 TRI/TRE, LPA, SEP, MEP
F, EASA First Class Medical
Erik has 40+ years of experience in the Aviation Industry, worldwide: Airline, Medevac, Freight, Test, Delivery, Demo, Ferry, VVIP and Business Aviation. He worked many years for Boeing and did CAE Training plus was giving check-rides to pilots from more than 30 different airlines, Military (VVIP, P8) and Business Jet Companies - both in the SIM and in different airplanes.
If you need an Aviation Consultant, Erik can help you with almost anything: From Company Set-ups, purchasing the correct aircraft, Crew Assessment, to train and fly in any position.
Working worldwide, Erik studied the different cultures he has been exposed to. This experience is a valuable asset when he works as an Aviation Consultant.
Besides Aviation, Sport is another passion which Erik likes to share: He can coach you in Skiing, Diving and Football - plus he is a Mental Skills Trainer.
His motto is: “Make it simple, stay humble and be safe!
Erik is available to work worldwide.
Ariel Weiss
Certified Flight Instructor CFI/CFII
Ariel is a commercial pilot, certified ground instructor-instrument and advanced and certified flight instructor: single and multi-engine-instrument airplane.
He has FAA and UK certificates and owned and operated a flight school, sightseeing tours and an aerial photography operation in Los Angeles.
He personally taught flight instruction and piloted noteworthy individuals and organisations, appeared in television interviews, including CNN, NBC, KTLA and KIRO Radio, a CBS affiliate in Seattle Washington. His flying experience includes the USA, Mexico, UK and the Caribbean.
His travels and background have honed him to be multi-cultural. His experience and vast knowledge are an asset to our flight school.