Flight Instructors

Types: CL65, EMB500, ERJ170/190, B737

On his 12th birthday, Nate went for his first small airplane ride in a Cessna 185 and he’s been hooked ever since.  Nate graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BS in Aeronautics. He has acquired over 9,000 hours in several different aircraft types, including 4 jet type ratings.  While flying for the airlines is a great career, his true passion lies in small airplanes. He hasn’t missed Oshkosh for 15 years running (except in 2020) and has been flight instructing at what is now Lake Elmo Aero for over 15 years. When he’s not planning Lake Elmo Aero’s next fly-in/fly-out adventure or monthly forum, you can find him in a red and white Decathlon, usually upside down.

Types: ERJ170/190, B737, DC9

A St. Paul area native, Tom attended Purdue University, where he worked as a simulator technician, check instructor, and occasional corporate pilot. He also founded Purdue’s winning team for the newly-formed collegiate class of the EAA’s AirVenture Cup Race in 2019.

Tom is now a pilot for a major airline, and has experience in a multitude of different single and multi-engine aircraft, with over 1500 hours of flight, ground, and simulator instruction provided. He recently celebrated 10 years at Lake Elmo airport in various roles since starting as a line service technician in high school.

Types: BE400/MU300, L382, B737

Amy caught the flying bug in 2007, after taking a discovery flight in Hawaii. She has since flown and instructed in all types of general aviation aircraft, including piloting the all-female Misty Blues Skydiving Team in demos and air shows across the nation. In 2016, she was selected to be a C-130 pilot with the Minnesota Air National Guard, fulfilling her long time dream of becoming a military aviator. In 2021, she was hired as a First Officer with Sun Country Airlines. Her most recent adventure started in April 2022 with the birth of her son, Davey, who has already taken his discovery flight!

Marc grew up in the Afton, MN. In 2004 he joined the U. S. Army as a Cavalry Scout. He was active duty for 4 years. Marc left the Army and became a police officer in the east metro and continues to serve his community in that role. Marc completed his private pilot in 2020 at Lake Elmo Aero after a discovery flight and knew aviation would be his next adventure. Marc completed his CFI training in 2023 and began teaching at Lake Elmo Aero. Marc has always enjoyed teaching, which lead to him meeting his wife when he was her snowboard instructor. When he isn’t flying or in a patrol car, you can find him playing hockey, spending time with his wife and two kids, or at Afton Alps.

Quentin Evans is a CFI, CFII, and a Tailwheel Instructor at Lake Elmo Aero, where he trains aspiring pilots. In addition to his role at Lake Elmo Aero, Quentin worked as a flight instructor at the University of Dubuque while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Flight Operations. He graduated in 2024, balancing his academic commitments with his instructional duties.

Beyond aviation, Quentin was a dedicated member of the UD Spartan Men’s Lacrosse team. Over his collegiate career, he achieved multiple honors, including three-time First Team All-Conference and setting school records. His leadership and athleticism were evident as he served as a senior defenseman and team captain. Quentin’s commitment to both aviation and sports showcases his strong work ethic and dedication to excellence.

Ethan was raised in Woodbury, MN. After graduating from high school, he studied economics at the University of Minnesota. It was during this time that his passion for aviation took flight, as he began his training at Lake Elmo Aero and went on to earn all of his flight ratings. Outside of flying, Ethan enjoys staying active with hockey and skiing, embracing the outdoors and the thrill of both sports.

Starting as a USAF C5 loadmaster, Bryant Mallez discovered his passion for the skies. After earning a BA in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota and spending a decade in software engineering, he embraced aviation once more, completing CFI training at Lake Elmo Aero. He is thrilled to be part of the team, guiding future pilots. When not in the air, Bryant enjoys hiking, working out, and traveling.

Zach grew up in the Twin Cities. He works as a manufacturing engineer during the day and flies at night and on weekends. His aviation passion was ignited at age 15 when he went to his first Oshkosh Airshow (18 years and running). Soon after, he received his first rides in a Christian Eagle and Cessna 170 creating a large passion in his life for tailwheel aircraft. He rebuilt a Pitts S-1C during covid, which is now flown. If you don’t see him teaching at Lake Elmo Aero, you’ll find him doing acro or searching for new grass strips.

Hunter grew up in Farmington, Minnesota. Growing up, he was surrounded by aviation due to both his parents working in the airline industry. Hunter attended the University of North Dakota where he completed his flight training. In addition to flight instructing, he works as a commercial drone operator. In his free time, he enjoys biking around the Twin Cities and spending time outdoors.

Oscar grew up in Denmark and England, developing a deep love for travel. After returning to the United States and reassessing his educational path, he discovered his passion for aviation through an introductory flight. This sparked a career in the field, leading him to complete his flight training at ATP Flight School.

With a long-standing passion for teaching—whether it was sailing or now flight instructing—Oscar finds fulfillment in sharing his knowledge with others. Outside of flying, you can often find him enjoying sailing in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Cody Segelstrom is a dedicated aviation professional, holding certifications as a Certified Flight Instructor, CFI-Instrument, and a Cirrus Instructor (TCI). He earned his licenses and ratings from the University of North Dakota, where he honed his passion for flying. While pursuing aviation, Cody proudly served in the U.S. Marines for over six years, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Outside of aviation, he enjoys activities such as ice fishing in the winter and boating in the summer, along with a strong commitment to fitness and working out.

Nick was born and raised in Morris, Illinois and developed a passion for aviation after attending the Oshkosh airshow in 2017. From there he followed in his brother’s footsteps and attended the University of North Dakota and achieved all of his ratings, graduating in May 2024. While not flying, Nick enjoys watching sports, working out, hunting, and cooking.

Types: ERJ170/190,B737

Rishiraj grew up in Stillwater just miles away from the Lake Elmo Airport watching the little planes fly over his house, but he didn’t begin his aviation journey until early 2022. After taking that first flight in a Mooney, he knew this would be his next adventure. Rishiraj completed his single-engine, multi-engine, and instructor ratings at Lake Elmo Aero, and has since instructed and gained experience in a variety of aircraft.

Rishiraj is now an airline pilot for Sun Country Airlines, but his true passion lies in teaching, especially in small airplanes.

Lauren grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota. She joined the US Air Force in 2015 as an intelligence analyst. Through the military, her interest in the aviation community sparked & she transferred to the Minnesota Air National Guard to be a loadmaster on the C-130. In her personal time, Lauren earned her civilian flight ratings from Private Pilot through CFI. She has since finished Air Force pilot training and has gone on to get hired as a C-130 pilot. Lauren is getting back into flight instructing with the goal of becoming a commercial airline pilot.

Types: B737

Brandon began his aviation career in 2004 when he joined the U. S. Air Force Reserve as an Aeromedical Evacuation Technician after spending four years on active duty in the U. S. Navy as a Damage Controlman.  Flying in the Air Force as a crewmember in C-130, C-17 and KC-135 airframes inspired him to pursue an aviation degree. Brandon completed Western Michigan University’s Aviation Flight Science Program in 2011 after earning commercial ratings in single engine land, single engine sea and multi-engine land airplanes.  He earned his CFI and CFII ratings with Liberty University’s flight training affiliate, AV8 in Eden Prairie, MN. Brandon currently resides in Hudson, WI with his wife and three sons.