Dimitri Partafyllas
Stratos Aviation founder
FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII, and MEI. Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP)

As the owner and Chief Instructor of Stratos Aviation, Dimitri Partafyllas has always had a passion for aviation and wanted to fly ever since he was a child. Born in Greece but since many years a U.S. Citizen, he speaks English, Greek and German. Dimitri started learning to fly while working in Bavaria, Germany. He finished his pilot training in Greenville, SC and has flown out of the Greenville Downtown Airport since 2000. In 2007, he became a flight instructor and since then, he and Stratos Aviation have been awarded several Federal Aviation Administration and AOPA aviation professional awards.

From the Federal Aviation Administration, Dimitri was nominated and selected as the SC District-General Aviation Flight Instructor of the Year for 2018 and 2019, for outstanding accomplishment and leadership excellence in the pursuit of the mission of aviation safety.

From the Airplane and Owners Pilots Association Dimitri received the Southeast Region, the 2017 and 2018 Distinguished Certified Flight Instructor Flight Training Experience Awards.

With twenty (20) years of flying experience and over 8,000 hours of dual instruction, he really enjoys teaching others to fly.

Dimitri’s goal has always been to create the best flight school in the Upstate of South Carolina. He and his team are committed to ensuring that Stratos Aviation graduates are equipped with the skills needed to become and remain confident, proficient and capable aviators now and into the future. Additionally, him and his team instill in them a deep sense of respect for flight, which includes the responsibility of assessing and managing risk for themselves, their passengers and their fellow pilots.

Chris Rucci – Flight Instructor
Certifications: ATP, CFI, CFII.

Chris started his flying career in 1989 and has worked for charter companies and corporate flight departments.
Chris has amassed over 7000 hours in King Air turboprops and corporate jets including the Raytheon Beechjet 400A, IAI Westwind, Citations, and Hawkers.

Corey Politino – Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, ASES & AMEL, Instrument Airplane, Tailwheel, CFI, CFII, and MEI. Private Rotorcraft.

Corey has over 16 years in Naval Aviation experience and has logged over 4400 hours in both Naval and General Aircraft. Corey provides a wide range of instruction experience for all age’s pursuing a career in aviation or for anyone looking for a new hobby.

Alex Coleman – Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor.

Alex developed his passion for aviation from his first flight to Florida when he was just a toddler. Since then, he always dreamed of being a pilot one day. Alex got all of his Pilot Certificates with Stratos Aviation and is now pursuing his dream career in aviation. Today, he is instructing in the same planes he learned how to fly in.

Sarah Solesbee – Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor.

Sarah fell in love with aviation at an early age after taking her first flight with her Dad. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Masters of Education degree from Anderson University and taught in a local public school for 7 years. Sarah trained with Stratos Aviation and earned her Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI and is now instructing in the same aircraft she learned to fly in.

Ryan McCormack – Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor.

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 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

Mark Saunders, Jr. – Flight Instructor
Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, Instrument Airplane, FAA Certified Flight Instructor.

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 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