Instructors
Whether you wish to fly for your own delight or you are interested in becoming a commercial pilot, our highly experienced instructors ensure the safest and most effective flight instruction in the aviation industry.
At Stratos, flight programs are taught by instructors who have a passion for teaching. They provide comprehensive flight training tailored to the student’s goals.
Stratos Aviation’s Team of qualified instructors, with over 20,000 hours of experience, use industry-leading structured training programs to build proficient and safe pilots.
Dimitri Partafyllas - Stratos Aviation Founder
FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor
Certifications: ATP-MEL, Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII and MEI. Cirrus Certified Standardized
Instructor Pilot (CSIP)
Dimitri Partafyllas has had a passion for aviation since childhood and currently serves as CEO of Stratos Aviation. He began his aviation career in Bavaria, Germany, and completed formal pilot training in Greenville, South Carolina. Dimitri has earned various awards and recognitions for his flight training career, recently achieving Platinum status as a CSIP.
With twenty years of aviation experience and over 10,000 hours of dual instruction under his belt, Dimitri takes immense pleasure in sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring pilots.
Mason Tubb - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Cirrus Certified Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP), Gold Seal Flight Instructor
Mason's aviation journey started when he decided to take an introductory flight with Stratos Aviation at the age of 15. He soloed his first airplane at age 16, before he was able to drive a car by himself. Mason then went on to complete all of his training with Stratos Aviation. He began teaching for Stratos in the early summer of 2021, and has absolutely loved every bit of it. Mason has found a passion for teaching students the art of flying an airplane. When not flight instructing, you can find him either mountain biking or hiking in the beautiful blue ridge mountains, or on a trout stream with a fly rod in his hand.
Bob Peck - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII, Training Center Instructor (TCI)
Bob’s earliest memories of aviation were of talking about flying with his father and grandfather. One of his most enjoyable flight was flying around the San Francisco Bay area tuning the radios while his father flew over the Golden Gate Bridge in his Maule. Bob took his first flight lessons in 1997 as a gift from his father. Twenty years later, he was referred by a friend to Stratos Aviation where he restarted his training and earned his ASEL Private Pilot’s certification, airplane instrument rating, ASEL Commercial, CFI, and CFII while balancing a full-time job and active family life. He enjoys working with aspiring pilots of all ages and especially those who may have started (or returned to) flying later in life.
Ryan McCormack - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Training Center Instructor (TCI)
Ryan has been interested in aviation ever since he was a child when he watched his dad work on his RV-7A home-built aircraft. Since then, he developed a passion for flight. He originally decided to pursue it as a hobby, but eventually realized he wanted to become a CFI to share his love of aviation with others. Ryan got all of his flying certificates with Stratos Aviation and is now helping other people achieve their aviation goals and dreams.
Bryan Lindler - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Cirrus Certified Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP)
Bryan is a retired Air Force Lt Col who has over 4000 hours in the B-1B Lancer and civil aviation. He spent the last 16 years of his career in the USAF as an instructor/evaluator in the B-1. After retirement, he became a CFI to continue his flying career and to help others discover aviation.
Nicholas Danto - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII
Nicholas's passion for aviation started at a very young age. Nicholas and his grandfather would frequent Pontiac Airport near Detroit, where they would watch the planes. The satisfaction and exhilaration he experienced during those moments fueled his desire to become a pilot. He soloed at the age of sixteen, before he even had a drivers license. A few years later he pursued a Bachelor of Aviation Flight Science degree at Western Michigan University's Aviation Flight School. During his time there, he obtained his instrument,commercial, and multi-engine ratings. Soon after, Nicholas moved to Greenville, SC enrolling at Stratos Aviation Flight School to work towards his Certified Flight Instructor rating. Since receiving this certification, he gets to spend his days sharing his knowledge and experience to help others fulfill their aspirations of becoming pilots. Being a flight instructor isn't just a job for Nicholas; it is his true calling.
Chris Hepner - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII
Chris developed his interest in aviation as a child flying RC helicopters with his father. After graduating high school, he pursued a career in pre-med, but realized aviation was still his true passion. He then joined the Air Force and spent six years as an air traffic controller where he also obtained his private pilot certificate. While on active duty, he completed his bachelor's degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle. Upon leaving the Air Force, Chris earned his Instrument, Commercial, ASEL, AMEL, CFl, and CFll ratings. He continues his service as an air traffic controller in the North Carolina National Guard.
Kevin Smith - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII
Kevin has worked in several different fields over the years but has been drawn to aviation since childhood. When the opportunity presented itself to pursue aviation he dove in 100%. Selling his small construction company, he began training full time. He began working at Stratos Aviation as a CFI in June 2024. He has always had a passion for teaching and helping others pursue their goals.
Nick Watters - Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII
Nick is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation. Having begun his journey with Stratos in May of 2023, Nick completed his private pilot training and all subsequent flight training under their expert guidance. One year later, he proudly joined the ranks of Stratos as an instructor, driven by a deep desire to share his love for aviation. Nick is committed to helping each student succeed in their own hero's journey, inspiring future pilots to soar to new heights.