Learn From Our Team of Qualified Professionals

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. Mason is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation.

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. Bob is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation.

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. Ryan is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation.

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. Bryan is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation of Columbia.

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. Nicholas is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation.

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. Chris is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation.

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. Kevin is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation.

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.

Dimitris Karademitros - Flight Instructor

Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, ASES, Instrument Airplane, CFI

Dimitris Karademitros, aka DK, is a dedicated flight instructor with a Master of Science in Aviation Human Factors and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management with a Minor in Aviation Safety from Florida Tech at Stratos Aviation. Dimitris' aviation journey began with a passion for travel and exploration. Over the years, he has accumulated extensive flight experience across single-engine land, multi-engine land, and single-engine sea aircraft.

With a strong background in both flight operations and aviation safety, he focuses on helping students enhance their flying skills, precision, situational awareness, and decision-making skills in the cockpit. Passionate about flight training and student success, Dimitris brings a detail-oriented approach to instruction, ensuring his students are well-prepared for their aviation careers.

Aaron Settles - Flight Instructor

Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI, CFII

Aaron is a dedicated and passionate flight instructor at Stratos Aviation of Columbia. His passion for aviation began in high school when he first became interested in becoming a pilot. He started flying lessons in 2021 and earned his Private Pilot License during his senior year in 2022. For the past two years, he has been a flight instructor in the Columbia area, where he lives instructing new pilots and helping them achieve their aviation goals. He is dedicated to providing high-quality training while sharing his love for flying with every student.

Jordan Nott - Flight Instructor

Certifications: Commercial Pilot ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, CFI

Jordan is a Certified Flight Instructor whose passion for aviation began with a Young Eagles flight back in 2003. After officially starting his flight training in 2021, he now enjoys helping others discover that same spark through relaxed, encouraging instruction. One of his most memorable flights was a cross-country trip from Atlanta to Houston in a 1956 Cessna 172, where he found himself cruising alongside an Amazon Prime Air 767 on final approach—a moment that reminded him just how awe-inspiring flight can be. Jordan believes that learning to fly should be both safe and enjoyable, and he brings a lighthearted, positive energy to every lesson. Outside the cockpit, he plays several instruments (with guitar being his favorite) and spends time exploring off-road trails on his motorcycle.