My name is Michael Mikhail, and I am a flight instructor here at RFA. Ever since I was a young boy, traveling with my parents and siblings overseas on family vacations, I became mesmerized and in awe of airplanes; going to the airport was the highlight of my life when I was a kid! I was so fascinated by airplanes and how on earth they were able to fly!

Fast forward years down the line, I landed a job as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines. Even though I was on the other side of the flight deck making sure our passengers were safe and taken care of, I would spark up conversations with the pilots whenever I had a chance. Speaking with the pilots on the job throughout my career and with my parents, I became encouraged and inspired again to follow my childhood dream. I pursued it and found Riverside Flight Academy…the rest is history! I initially started training at RFA as a student pilot all the way to becoming an instructor here.

It’s been a long and difficult road at times, but an even more fun and rewarding opportunity! I am in the process of time-building to reach my goal of becoming an airline pilot. So my message to you is that if you’re not sure about starting to fly, feel you’re starting late, or whatever it may be, I say give it a shot and shoot for the stars!